http://news.yahoo.com/gis-hearing-wikileaks-case-focuses-motive-081612173.html

GI's hearing in WikiLeaks case focuses on motive

Associated Press

Jan 8, 2013

FORT MEADE, Md. (AP) -- An Army private charged with sending reams of classified documents to the WikiLeaks website is back at Fort Meade for a pretrial hearing about whether his motivation matters.

Prosecutors want the military judge to bar the defense from producing evidence at Pfc. Bradley Manning's March 6 trial regarding his motive for allegedly leaking hundreds of thousands of secret war logs and diplomatic cables. The four-day hearing began Tuesday.

Manning allegedly told an online confidant he leaked the material because he wanted people to see the truth. He has offered to take responsibility in a pending plea offer. But he still could face trial on charges that include aiding the enemy.

Prosecutors say Manning's motive is irrelevant to whether he leaked the material knowing it would be seen by al-Qaida.