[Peace-discuss] Bradley Maning's torture disclosure hearing ends; Bradley's birthday Dec 17

Sat Dec 15 20:27:47 UTC 2012

For yr kind attn and action:

--- On Wed, 12/12/12, Bradley Manning Support Network <contact-bmsn at bradleymanning.org> wrote:

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Bradley's Attorney David Coombs Begins Closing Arguments. Bradley's birthday Dec. 17th.

Bradley's 25th birthday. Unlawful pretrial punishment closing arguments. 

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 Hearing that detailed Bradley’s torture closes

The defense and prosecution made closing arguments yesterday in the motion hearing addressing the unlawful pretrial punishment of Bradley Manning. The defense contended that the influence of a three-star general broke down the chain of command, allowing those responsible for Bradley Manning to treat him 'like a zoo animal' while the prosecution argued that while Bradley was not treated normally, the actions of Quantico officers were simply 'cautious.'

Closing arguments. Live blog at www.bradleymanning.org
December 12, 2012. Defense attorney David Coombs made his closing arguments yesterday in the motion hearing addressing the unlawful pretrial punishment of Bradley Manning at the Quantico Marine brig. The defense’s motion, which was published last July on Coombs’s blog, seeks to dismiss all the charges against Bradley, or alternatively, to give a 10-1 sentencing credit. Bradley Manning was held in “Prevention of Injury” maximum custody for 9 months, which was effectively solitary confinement. Mental health professionals working with Bradley testified that his treatment was akin to that used by interrogators and worse than that given to prisoners on death row. They also testified that they frequently recommended the restrictive status be removed and that he be allowed to socialize with other inmates, else his condition could worsen. The recommendations of mental health professionals were ignored - and the testimony revealed that this was due to
 command influence from above. As both mental health provider Cpt. Hocter and attorney David Coombs pointed out, it was a testament to Bradley Manning's strong character that he did not break down completely during his nine-month incarceration at Quantico.
At the start of the defense’s closing arguments, Judge Lind asked Coombs to detail how Bradley Manning’s treatment amounted to unlawful pretrial punishment. Coombs carefully laid out evidence that had emerged in nearly two weeks of testimony. First, nine months in POI status, he said, was unheard of. Testimony revealed that at any other facility, detainees would not be held in such a status for more than four days, after which if there was still a concern that they might harm themselves, they would be transferred to a mental health facility where appropriate treatment would be administered. Second, three mental health professionals testified that nine months in solitary confinement could be severely harmful to Bradley Manning. During his detention these experts frequently advised the brig to remove Bradley Manning from POI status, and these recommendations were intentionally ignored. That brig officers ignored their own mental health experts also ran
 contrary to the Head of Marine Corrections' testimony on correct brig protocol. As Coombs argued, “logic somehow did not ever get into the world of Quantico when it came to the case of PFC Manning.”
Read complete notes from the closing arguments. And in case you missed them here are our daily reports: 

Day 1.
Day 2.
Day 3.
Day 4.
Day 5.
Day 6.
Day 7 & 8.
Day 9.
Day 10.
Day 11.

Donate now to the Bradley
Manning defense
fund.

For more information about the
defense fund 
click here.

December 17th will be Bradley Manning's third birthday in prison without trial
Let Bradley know you care! Write him a letter of support for his 25th birthday - his third behind bars.

Military whistle-blower Bradley Manning will turn 25 on December 17th. It will be his third birthday in prison, and by the time his court martial begins it will have been almost three years in prison: one year of which in the Quantico marine brig, where he was held in solitary confinement against the recommendations of mental health professionals. His trial is scheduled to start next March, and he needs our support. Please take a few minutes to send Bradley a birthday message, and to send a gift to his Defense Fund.

Bradley can receive mail at the following address:
Commander, HHC USAG

Attn: PFC Bradley Manning

239 Sheridan Ave, Bldg 417

JBM-HH, VA 22211

Visit this link to read about mail restrictions. 