Army judge Colonel Denise Lind began deliberations in Private Bradley Manning’s court martial case yesterday after hearing closing arguments from both attorneys.
Manning requested a trial by judge instead of a trial by jury.
Lind will provide 24-hour’s notice before announcing her decision in the case.
Prosecutors say that Manning is a traitor. David Coombs, Manning’s attorney, describes him as a naïve young man who intended to save lives and had no idea that his information could end up in the wrong hands.
Prosecutors allege that Manning knew exactly what he was doing.
“Worldwide distribution, that was his goal," Major Ashden Fein, the lead prosecutor, told the Associated Press. "Pfc. Manning knew the entire world included the enemy, from his training. He knew he was giving it to the enemy, specifically al-Qaida."
Manning faces 22 charges, including “aiding the enemy.” He will likely receive life in prison if he is convicted of the most serious charge against him.
"He's not seeking attention. He's saying he's willing to accept the price" for what he has done, Coombs told the BBC News . "That is a whistleblower, period. That is somebody who wants to inform the American public."
Manning released several thousand diplomatic cables and battlefield reports. Prosecutors allege that Manning placed Americans in harm’s way by releasing classified information.
Image: By United States Army, via Wikimedia Commons