Prosecutions for the government in the military trial against Pfc. Bradley Manning have time and again flown off the handle when trying to discuss the case, trying to portray the whistleblower as one of the greatest criminals of American history.
As sentencing nears its completion today, Capt. Joe Morrow, another prosecution lawyer, had his turn today, insisting Manning had “betrayed” his country and deserves no mercy under any circumstances.
Morrow demanded that Manning be given a minimum of 60 years in military prison because of his “destructive” leaks, insisting that a protracted sentence was a vital “preventative measure” that might intimidate others into not trying to blow the whistle in the future.
Defense Attorney David E. Coombs rejected the suggestion, saying that it was unreasonable to give Manning any more than 25 years, noting that the documents leaked would’ve had their classification expire in 25 years anyhow.
I'd be ok with saying 'betrayed his government' or 'employer.' Dude, I might even fire him if the latter had been me. But no, that's not betraying-your-country.
The effort to conflate the two has been around longer than I have. Pretty much explains how the local VFW is at least 10% loonies.
Sentencing people to send a message to others isn't justice. Legislatures can write harsh laws for that reason but in a courtroom punishment should be about the individual case and nothing else. For the prosecutor to suggest otherwise makes a mockery of everything juries are instructed….of course, in this case, there is no jury or fair trial to begin with.
I say give him a Rolls Royce ride out of there as a free man.