Key witness in Bradley Manning WikiLeaks trial defends Reddit webchat

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Lauren McNamara says 'none of this is private information' while discussing her online conversations with Manning in 2009
Matt Williams in New York
Friday 11 January 2013 15.19 EST

... In an open session on the Reddit website, Lauren McNamara said she believed the leaking of hundreds of thousands of classified documents was "irresponsible" but added: "I don't think Manning had any intention of assisting 'the enemy' in his actions" ...

In her Reddit webchat, McNamara wrote: "If he did leak the documents he's accused of leaking (US diplomatic cables, the Iraq War Logs, the Afghan War Logs, and so on), then I imagine those charges would stand or fall on the facts of the matter... But the charge of aiding the enemy seems like it would be much more nebulous. I don't think Manning had any intention of assisting 'the enemy' in his actions ..."

But McNamara also suggested that Manning had been aware that his actions were illegal. She wrote: "I believe he was aware that what he was doing violated numerous laws and regulations – I mean, how could he not be?"

In response to another question, McNamara said that it was "irresponsible to release hundreds of thousands of documents, both diplomatic as well as from war zones, without taking the time to make sure they didn't contain sensitive or dangerous information" ...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/11/bradley-manning-wikileaks-trial-reddit-webchat

[struggle4progress]

2. bye!