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.
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