FORT MEADE, Md. (AP) — The judge at Army Pfc. Bradley Manning’s court-martial is rejecting some government evidence that the classified information he disclosed through WikiLeaks has had a “chilling effect” on U.S. foreign relations
Col. Denise Lind ruled Wednesday at Manning’s sentencing hearing that such testimony is admissible only if the effect was observed directly after the information was published.
She threw out State Department Undersecretary Patrick Kennedy’s testimony that leaked information published more than two years ago continues to hamper U.S. foreign relations and policymaking.
On Tuesday, Lind rejected another State Department witness’s opinion that Manning’s actions caused, and will continue to cause, reluctance among some international human-rights workers to seek U.S. help.
Manning faces up to 90 years in prison. The sentencing hearing is at Fort Meade, near Baltimore.