Government wants Manning to spend 60 years behind bars

In its closing sentencing arguments, prosecution pushes for whistle-blower to spend all his life locked up

Published August 19, 2013 7:48PM (EDT)

Army prosecutor Capt. Joe Morrow said Monday that Pfc. Bradley Manning "deserves to spend the majority of his remaining life in confinement." The government prosecution, in its closing sentencing arguments, pushed for the whistle-blower to receive 60 of a possible 90 years behind bars. At 25, that would mean Manning would remain incarcerated until he is 85 years old.

"The US does not make this request lightly," said Morrow, arguing that Manning "betrayed" the United States.

According to the Guardian's Paul Lewis, "Few military lawyers believe the judge presiding the 25-year-old's court martial will administer the maximum punishment, which would amount to a life sentence. However, experts consulted by the Guardian said Manning could expect to be jailed for at least 10 years, and possibly two or three decades."


By Natasha Lennard

Natasha Lennard is an assistant news editor at Salon, covering non-electoral politics, general news and rabble-rousing. Follow her on Twitter @natashalennard, email nlennard@salon.com.

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