U.S. Soldier Manning Could Break Silence as WikiLeaks Trial Nears End

[Hissyspit]

Source: Reuters

U.S. soldier Manning could break silence as WikiLeaks trial nears end

By Ian Simpson
Wed Aug 14, 2013 5:02am EDT

(Reuters) - U.S. Army Private First Class Bradley Manning, convicted of providing secret files to WikiLeaks in the biggest data breach in U.S. history, could break a long silence on Wednesday as the sentencing phase of his court-martial wraps up.

Manning, 25, faces up to 90 years in prison for providing more than 700,000 files, battle videos and diplomatic cables to WikiLeaks, a pro-transparency website.

- snip -

The former junior intelligence analyst could end that silence on Wednesday when his attorneys read a statement to the court, a military spokesman said.

Its content is unknown. It would be the first time Manning has spoken publicly at length since late February, when he read a 10,000-word statement in a pre-trial hearing.


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/14/us-usa-wikileaks-manning-idUSBRE97D0C220130814

[Demeter]

1. More Accurately: Second time he's been ALLOWED to speak publicly in 3 years

or more.

I hate how they try to put a spin on what they have done to this man, that everything they did was above board and equitable and legal.

[msanthrope]

2. Nonsense...he had the right to testify at every court proceeding but chose not to.

He had the right to publish through his attorney. Nothing prevents his correspondence with journalists.

He's been keeping his mouth shut--and reading statements- because he doesn't want to be subject to cross. Which is smart.

[MarkLaw]

3. The guy is a Hero.

The fact that he is a homosexual gives me a sense of pride.

[lovuian]

4. My European friends have signed a petition which

volunteers them to serve his sentence

To them he is a hero

They feel Manning's treatment at Guantanamo was torture and as far as I'm concerned
that makes this trial null and void

I will not be surprised if he wins the Nobel Peace Prize

[Historic NY]

5. In a military prison, not likely.