Patrick Semansky / AP file
Army Pfc. Bradley Manning steps out of a security vehicle as he is escorted into a courthouse in Fort Meade, Md., on Nov. 29, 2012, for a pretrial hearing.
By Jim Miklazewski and Courtney Kube, NBC News
FORT MEADE, Md. ? U.S. Army Pfc. Bradley Manning pleaded not guilty Thursday to a charge of aiding the enemy, but pleaded guilty to some of the lesser charges against him related to the unauthorized released of hundreds of thousands of classified government documents to the WikiLeaks website.
At a pre-trial hearing, Manning also was expected to ask Col. Denise Lind, the military judge hearing his case, to allow him to read a statement explaining his motive in releasing the documents.?
Manning, a 25-year-old former Army intelligence analyst, is facing 22 criminal charges and could face a life sentence if convicted of the most serious charges.
In addition to the charge of aiding the enemy, Manning pleaded not guilty to 16 counts alleging theft of U.S documents or videos -- including allegations that he stole the list of all of the emails and phone numbers of U.S. military and personnel in Iraq at the time -- unauthorized access of that information and downloading unauthorized software onto government computers.
The charges to which he sought to plead guilty were among the least-serious -- such as intentionally causing intelligence information to be published on the Internet, improper handling of classified information and nine of 16 counts of conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline.
Manning was attempting to enter what the government calls a "naked plea" -- meaning there is no agreement between the government and the defense that would limit the sentence. If Lind determines Manning's pleas were made knowingly and voluntarily, she can accept the pleas on Thursday, but not before engaging Manning in a dialogue about each of them to make sure he fully understands the implications of his decisions.
Specifically, Manning acknowledged that he had unauthorized possession of information, that he willfully communicated it and that he communicated it to an unauthorized person. However, he only acknowledged that for nine specific files or pieces of information, including:?
- Combat engagement video of a helicopter gunship;
- Two Army intelligence agency memos;
- Certain records of the combined information data network exchange Iraq (which tracks all significant acts and patrol reports);
- Combined information data network exchange Afghanistan records;
- Some SOUTHCOM files dealing with Guantanamo Bay;
- An investigation into an incident in a village in Farah, Afghanistan;?
- Some Department of State cables.
Each of the nine files carry a maximum sentence of two years (along with dishonorable discharge), meaning Manning could face a maximum of 18 years in prison if the judge accepts his plea to those charges. He will plead not guilty to stealing the the global address list (all of the emails and phone numbers of US military and personnel in Iraq at the time) and six other files.
If the judge determines Manning's pleas were made knowingly and voluntarily, she can accept the pleas Thursday, but not before the two will have a long dialogue about each of them to make sure Manning fully understands the implications of his decisions.
Related story: WikiLeaks case: Bradley Manning seeks first public statement on motive
Manning?s defense also was going to request that he be permitted to read a statement stating that in releasing the documents, he considered himself a "whistleblower" and he did so with "no malicious intent" or the intent to do "any harm to anyone."? The government contends the release of the documents put some lives at risks, including the names of Afghans who were working with the U.S. military and intelligence.
Manning?s court martial is set to begin June 3.
Jim Miklazewski is NBC News? Chief Pentagon Correspondent and Courtney Kube is NBC News? National Security Producer. ?
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