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Reporter Kevin Gozstola files his final report on the court martial of Pfc. Bradley Manning, who was handed a 35-year prison sentence today.Click here for GoDaddy deal that benefits the PBC podcast!
Gozstola has done a great job covering and live-blogging this important trial at FireDogLake. He replays the courtroom proceedings today, as the judge, Col. Denise Lind, sentenced Manning to 35 years in prison (with 112 days credit for his tortuous detention at Quantico), a fine of $100,000 and dishonorable discharge.
He describes the scene, Manning’s effort to console his attorney and the terms of the sentence, including his potential for parole. We also talk about Manning’s apology to the court last week, and how it is consistent with his previous statement. Gozstola reads from a petition for pardon that Manning will submit to the White House, where Manning places his decision to leak in the context of war crimes and other illegal actions by military and government leaders that go unpunished. We talk about the larger context of Manning’s leaks, the failure of corporate media outlets to perform independent journalism, and the long-term impacts of his courageous actions.
Gozstola today posted comments in response to remarks on CNN by “senior legal analyst” Jeffrey Toobin. Read about the exchange here.