Bradley Manning Verdict To Be Handed Down Later Today

Credit:US Army/wikimedia

Today at 1pm ET military judge Colonel Denise Lind will release her verdict in Bradley Manning's court martial.

Manning is charged with violations of Articles 92, 104, and 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The most serious charge, aiding the enemy, carries a possible life sentence. Manning has admitted to leaking classified diplomatic and military documents to Wikileaks.  

If Manning is found guilty of aiding the enemy it will be the first time since the Civil War that a member of the military has been convicted of aiding the enemy by leaking information to the press.

Throughout the trial the government has been trying to show that Manning aided the enemy by demonstrating how Al Qaeda sought information leaked by Manning and used some of the information in propaganda. I wrote about some of these attempts while at the trial earlier this month. 

I recently moderated a panel discussion featuring with Eli Lake from the Daily Beast, Adam Klasfeld from Courthouse News, and independent journalist Alexa O'Brien on Bradley Manning. Much of the conversation focussed on who was actually harmed by Manning's leaks.

Watch below:

Reason's Ed Krayewski will be updating the Hit and Run blog shortly after the verdict is announced. Reason 24/7 will be providing live updates.

Comments

[Mike M.]

Meanwhile, Nidal Malik Hasan murdered 13 people in cold blood in front of numerous eyewitnesses, and we taxpayers are still paying his O-4 salary nearly four years after the fact.

[Almanian!]

Um, hello, work-related matter. And he's not guilty until convicted by a jury of his military peers! Or something!

Totality of the fact pattern, RACIST, and....something.

TOTALLY DIFFERENT

[Fist of Etiquette]

Manning should be charged with copyright violations.

[Andrew S.]

He showed us that the Emperor is actually naked, which, in the current administration, is the worst crime anybody can commit. This is why he's screwed, this is why Snowden is right to hide.

[Almanian!]

As long as I don't have to see the First She Wookie naked.

*shudder*

[Andrew S.]

I'd rather see Warty naked. Which is really saying something.

[Kaptious Kristen]

All of my hippy dippy friends suddenly stopped their "Free Bradley" Facebook postings around late February/early March 2012...

[Geoff Nathan]

I'm sure he'll be found guilty, exactly as the Commander-in-Chief ordered. Can't have people refusing to 'just follow orders', no matter how immoral. What would that lead to? (getting early on the Godwinning).

[Anonymous Coward]

The most serious charge, aiding the enemy, carries a possible life sentence.

America, we have met the enemy and he is us. Manning is guilty of aiding us against our rightful master, the federal government of the United States, which possesses the divine mandate to lord over us, and to regulate commerce between the several states.