On Bradley Manning’s Show-Trial-Part Two-The Sentencing Phase
The following observations and comments are those of one of Bradley Manning’s supporters from Boston who has attended several sessions of the court-martial that has been held at Fort Meade in Maryland since June 3, 2013. This part concentrates on the sentencing phase which started on Wednesday July 31st, the day after Private Manning was convicted of some 19 charges amounting to a total possible sentence at that point of 136 years.
July 31, 2013
The initial euphoria, or at least sign of relief over Judge Lind’s find Bradley not guilty of “aiding the enemy” charge, one that would essential have declared him a traitor and which carries a life without parole maximum, quickly dissipated as the grim reality of the total number of years that he faces, 136, unless some charges for similar acts are consolidated set in. The government, as has been the case throughout since it brought the case, will start first (and have the last word as well after the defense’s presentation) today once again to vilify Bradley, especially on the espionage counts. The gist of their claim is that Bradley’ s leaking of classified information to Wikileaks caused a severe blow to whatever it is the American government is trying to do around the world.
Retired Brigadier General Robert Carr, the first witness in the sentencing phase, testified that no individuals in Iraq or Afghanistan were killed as a result of WikiLeaks’ releasing the Afghan War Diary and Iraq War Logs.
Apparently this phase, like the trial phase, is also going to include plenty of material presented by governmental witnesses in closed session as occurred today with John Kirchhofer.
August 1, 2013
Most of the session was closed. An important expected defense motion to consolidate a number of the charges based on the same course of action or which were charged separately as part action was taken under by advisement by Judge Lind at that time. She eventually ruled that some of the charges should be consolidated and reduced Bradley’s total possible sentence from 136 years to 90. By my calculations, and correct my Math if I am wrong, 90 plus 25 (Bradley’s age) comes out to 115 years, a very long time making him a very old man unless we can gain his freedom, and gain it quickly.
August 2 to August 9
Most of the government witnesses, civilian from the State Department or those from the military spent their open court time (not much since many witnesses testified in closed court to the utter frustration of many Bradley court-side supporters) going on and on about the harmful effect of the Wikileaks revelations, although very little actual proof of harm was elicited. The defense has continually tried to rein in the governmental testimony when the prosecution has led the witnesses to speculate broadly about some speculative harm might have or might in the future affect American military or diplomatic policy. That was particularly true of the State Department’s Patrick Kennedy. Judge Lind has rules several times in the defense’s favor on the question of speculation but has also let some information in helpful to the prosecution. There was a running battle throughout as the prosecution ended its part of the sentencing phase on August 9th.
The defense will be begin its efforts on Monday August 12th- A now traditional first day of the trial week stand-out is scheduled in front of Fort Meade at 7 AM that day.
As the sentencing phase has wound down, with a potential sentence to be imposed as early as August 16th the Bradley Manning Support Network has called for world-wide emergency actions on the day the sentence is announced. Here is some information on that- Stay tuned to the Support Network for a Boston action:
The following observations and comments are those of one of Bradley Manning’s supporters from Boston who has attended several sessions of the court-martial that has been held at Fort Meade in Maryland since June 3, 2013. This part concentrates on the sentencing phase which started on Wednesday July 31st, the day after Private Manning was convicted of some 19 charges amounting to a total possible sentence at that point of 136 years.
July 31, 2013
The initial euphoria, or at least sign of relief over Judge Lind’s find Bradley not guilty of “aiding the enemy” charge, one that would essential have declared him a traitor and which carries a life without parole maximum, quickly dissipated as the grim reality of the total number of years that he faces, 136, unless some charges for similar acts are consolidated set in. The government, as has been the case throughout since it brought the case, will start first (and have the last word as well after the defense’s presentation) today once again to vilify Bradley, especially on the espionage counts. The gist of their claim is that Bradley’ s leaking of classified information to Wikileaks caused a severe blow to whatever it is the American government is trying to do around the world.
Retired Brigadier General Robert Carr, the first witness in the sentencing phase, testified that no individuals in Iraq or Afghanistan were killed as a result of WikiLeaks’ releasing the Afghan War Diary and Iraq War Logs.
Apparently this phase, like the trial phase, is also going to include plenty of material presented by governmental witnesses in closed session as occurred today with John Kirchhofer.
August 1, 2013
Most of the session was closed. An important expected defense motion to consolidate a number of the charges based on the same course of action or which were charged separately as part action was taken under by advisement by Judge Lind at that time. She eventually ruled that some of the charges should be consolidated and reduced Bradley’s total possible sentence from 136 years to 90. By my calculations, and correct my Math if I am wrong, 90 plus 25 (Bradley’s age) comes out to 115 years, a very long time making him a very old man unless we can gain his freedom, and gain it quickly.
August 2 to August 9
Most of the government witnesses, civilian from the State Department or those from the military spent their open court time (not much since many witnesses testified in closed court to the utter frustration of many Bradley court-side supporters) going on and on about the harmful effect of the Wikileaks revelations, although very little actual proof of harm was elicited. The defense has continually tried to rein in the governmental testimony when the prosecution has led the witnesses to speculate broadly about some speculative harm might have or might in the future affect American military or diplomatic policy. That was particularly true of the State Department’s Patrick Kennedy. Judge Lind has rules several times in the defense’s favor on the question of speculation but has also let some information in helpful to the prosecution. There was a running battle throughout as the prosecution ended its part of the sentencing phase on August 9th.
The defense will be begin its efforts on Monday August 12th- A now traditional first day of the trial week stand-out is scheduled in front of Fort Meade at 7 AM that day.
As the sentencing phase has wound down, with a potential sentence to be imposed as early as August 16th the Bradley Manning Support Network has called for world-wide emergency actions on the day the sentence is announced. Here is some information on that- Stay tuned to the Support Network for a Boston action:
Immediately following the sentencing announcement of heroic WikiLeaks whistle-blower Bradley Manning by the military court at Fort Meade, Maryland, join us in the streets to declare, “Free Bradley Now!”
Many communities have a historic gathering location, such as a downtown intersection, central park, or other visible location. Please spread the word for folks to join you immediately following the sentencing to celebrate, protest, and/or simply show your support for Bradley.
We will likely have one day notice before sentencing occurs, so we’ll have some heads up. If it takes place in the morning, we suggest gathering that evening. If it takes place in the afternoon or evening, we suggest the following day. Same-day events are more likely to be covered by your local media in conjunction with the national breaking story of Bradley’s sentencing. Please contact the Support Network for posters, stickers, and info cards.
Our primary message for these response rallies:“President Obama: Pardon Bradley Manning”
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