Bradley Manning: Traitor or Martyr?
Bradley Manning could spend the rest of his life in jail.
That’s what’s at stake in his military trial, which is expected to start in June.
The Army private already faces 20 years in prison, after pleading guilty to leaking hundred of thousands of State Department documents to Wikileaks.
But prosecutors are still looking to convict him on a charge of “aiding the enemy,” which could result in a life sentence.
Two years ago, PJ Crowley resigned as State Department spokesman after criticizing the way Manning was being treated while in detention.
Now Crowley’s urging the government not to turn Manning into a martyr.
He says military justice will be served with the 20 year sentence, but he warns that America’s global competitors will exploit it if a life sentence is sought.
Crowley says this will impose a significant cost on the nation’s public diplomacy.
The story you just read is available to read for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you: We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.
When you make a gift of $10 or more a month, we’ll invite you to a virtual behind-the-scenes tour of our newsroom to thank you for being with The World.