US Won't Seek Death Penalty Against WikiLeaker

Even though one new charge against Bradley Manning is a capital offense
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Mar 2, 2011 6:19 PM CST
Bradley Manning: Army Adds 22 Charges, Says It Won't Seek the Death Penalty
This undated file photo obtained by The Associated Press shows Bradley Manning.   ((AP Photo, File))

The military today filed 22 additional charges against Bradley Manning, the Army private suspected of providing classified government documents to WikiLeaks. Army officials said the charges accuse Manning of using unauthorized software on government computers to extract classified information, illegally download it, and transmit the data for public release by what the Army termed "the enemy."

One charge—of aiding the enemy under the Uniform Code of Military Justice—is a capital offense, but the Army's prosecution team has notified the Manning defense team that it will not recommend the death penalty to the two-star general in charge of proceeding with legal action. Trial proceedings against Manning have been on hold since July, pending the results of a medical inquiry into Manning's mental capacity. He is confined at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Va. (More WikiLeaks stories.)

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