Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
NEWS RELEASE
The U.S. Army Military District of Washington
Guardians of the Nation's Capital
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 13-14
DATE: April 30, 2013
Article 39(a) Pre-trial Hearing Scheduled for United States vs. Pfc. Bradley E. Manning
WASHINGTON - An article 39(a) pre-trial hearing for Pfc. Bradley E. Manning will begin at 3 p.m., Tuesday, May 7, at Fort George G. Meade, Md.
Pfc. Manning is accused of aiding the enemy; wrongfully causing intelligence to be published on the internet knowing that it is accessible to the enemy; theft of public property or records; transmitting defense information; fraud and related activity in connection with computers; and violation of Army Regulations 25-2 "Information Assurance" and 380-5 "Department of the Army Information Security Program." The purpose of the hearing is to place on the record any administrative matters discussed in judicial conference since the last Article 39(a) session on April 10.
Pursuant to the military judge's findings under Military Rule of Evidence 505 and Rule for Courts-Martial 806, the court will convene in a closed session on Wednesday, May 8, for the purpose of determining reasonable alternatives to closing the court during trial for the presentation of evidence that discloses classified information.
On February 28, Manning pled guilty to lesser-included offenses of unauthorized possession of protected information, willful communication of that protected information to an unauthorized person and improper storage of classified information.
In addition Manning pled not guilty to the Espionage Act; the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act; larceny; aiding the enemy and the improper use of government information systems.
Based solely on his pleas, the maximum punishment Manning would face is reduction to the lowest enlisted pay grade, E-1; total forfeiture of all pay and allowances; a fine; confinement for 20 years; and a dishonorable discharge.
Members of the press and general public are welcome to attend the proceedings. Seating will be available in the courtroom on a first-come/first-seated basis. Electronic devices of any kind (i.e., video and audio recorders, computers, cell phones, radios, pagers, iPods/iPads, and similar devices) are not allowed in the courtroom.
Media queries may be emailed to the U.S. Army Military District of Washington Public Affairs Office at usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx.mediadesk-omb@mail.mil.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The media operations center will not be available for this short, open session, and members of the press will not be credentialed.
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Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE