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January 9, 2013

Manning Sees Potential Sentence Reduced over Unlawful Treatment 
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Alleged U.S. Army whistleblower Bradley Manning has had his potential
sentence reduced should he be convicted for the leaking of classified
documents to Wiki Leaks. On Tuesday, the judge overseeing Manning's
pretrial hearing said Manning is entitled to 112 days less in prison due
to the unlawful conditions of his imprisonment at the Marines Corps brig
in Quantico, Virginia. Manning's ordeal included being held in a
six-by-eight-foot cell for at least 23 hours a day and being banned from
lying down or even leaning against the wall unless he was sleeping. His
attorney had argued his imprisonment was so harsh and inhumane that
either his charges should be dropped or he should be given 10 times
credit for the nine months he spent there in any sentence he may
receive. In her ruling, Judge Denise Lind agreed with the allegations of
unlawful abuse, but said Manning will only get one-to-one credit in the
reduction of any sentence. In a statement, the Bradley Manning Support
Network said: "[The ruling] confirms that Bradley was mistreated, and
vindicates the massive protest effect that was required to stop the
Marines at Quantico from torturing him. Yet, 112 days is not nearly
enough to hold the military accountable for their actions."

 

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