Update 1/23/13: Brooklyn event, 3 reasons why the charges should be dropped, and Manning’s motive

tumblr_lwgsdsWZhP1qgph4yo1_500Chase Madar to discuss Bradley Manning, secrecy, and national security in NYC. On Friday, January 25, author and attorney Chase Madar will read from his book, The Passion of Bradley Manning, and discuss Manning’s case and various larger issues surrounding it. Presented by Brooklyn for Peace, the reading will take place at Word Bookstore, at 126 Franklin St., Brooklyn, NY. (Read more…)

Tim Kelly: ‘Three reasons why the charges against Bradley Manning should be dropped.’ Criticizing Judge Lind’s decision to award Manning just 112 days of credit instead of dismissing charges against him, Kelly cites three major grounds for dismissal: Manning’s treatment in pretrial confinement, unlawful pretrial influence from high-ranking officers, and finally, that whistle-blowing is not espionage, but rather a wholly patriotic act.

Kelly expands on each reason, here explaining Manning’s obligation to report crimes:

“It should also be remembered that the material Manning allegedly leaked exposed crimes committed by U.S. diplomatic officials, the inaction of U.S. military brass when informed of torture inflicted on Iraqi prisoners by U.S.-backed Iraqi security forces, and what appear to be war crimes committed by U.S. soldiers. According to U.S. and international law, a soldier has a right and a duty to expose war crimes.”

(Read more…)

Many outlets cover the military refusing to allow Manning to make a whistle-blower defense and the implications that has for his case.

The Guardian:

Lind’s ruling means that some of the most impassioned statements by Manning about why he embarked on the massive transfer of information to WikiLeaks will now not be heard at trial. In the course of a now famous web chat he had with the hacker-turned-informer Adrian Lamo, Manning wrote : “information should be free / it belongs in the public domain / because another state would just take advantage of the information … try and get some edge / if its out in the open … it should be a public good.”

Centre for Research on Globalization:

The defense team for Army Private Bradley Manning will not be allowed to present evidence of his motives behind the intelligence leaks for which he faces 22 charges, a military judge ruled Thursday. The ruling, which is not available to the press or the public, underscores the fraudulent and anti-democratic character of the entire case.

The Telegraph:

The judge ruled that that Manning’s motive could only be examined to argue that he did not “knowingly aid the enemy,” chiefly Al-Qaeda, by uploading and releasing the files.

“In those circumstances evidence can be presented, but otherwise, motive is not relevant, unless the government opens the door in some other way,” said a US military legal advisor, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Manning’s motives, however, could resurface in mitigation at sentencing if he bids for leniency upon an eventual conviction.

 

 

One thought on “Update 1/23/13: Brooklyn event, 3 reasons why the charges should be dropped, and Manning’s motive

  1. Growing up I was told by my mother not to lie and always tell the truth. The effects of the Cold War and the subsequent pacts and agreements between the two Cold War Butt Buddies have left the American military robotic. Ingenuity is replaced with power point. The politicians sway with the breeze. Politicians don’t care who wins or loses. It doesn’t matter to most of them if your kid comes home standing tall with ribbons on one’s chest or laying flat and doing also. This young man is locked up because he told the truth. Seriously. The conditions he has had to go through because he told the truth is a reflection upon the US justice system, the United States military and the United States government. Do not forget for one damn second the People of the United States who have not done a damn thing to make sure this young man, who went overseas in the prime of his life to defend…, goes home. God Bless.

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