Adrian Lamo, (far left), who told authorities about Bradley Manning, leaves the Fort Meade military court where he took the stand. Photo: Reuters
THE US government’s case against Private Bradley Manning came to a dramatic end when the computer hacker who turned him in to the authorities took the stand to explain his role in the investigation.
Adrian Lamo revealed at one point that he was simultaneously trading computer messages with Manning while sharing information from those chats with the authorities.
Mr Lamo told the military investigation he began exchanging instant messages and emails with Manning in early May 2010 and decided to go to the authorities then because the soldier made claims of ”acts so egregious it required that response”.
Mr Lamo’s appearance stirred some of the most emotional exchanges in these proceedings, with defence lawyers attacking him for betraying a troubled soldier who had gone to him for moral support.
Manning, 24, who has shown little emotion since the hearing began on Friday, sighed audibly as Mr Lamo spoke. He filled a page with scribbled notes and once raised his hand in an apparent sign of frustration.
David Coombs, a defence lawyer, asked Mr Lamo about chats in which he told Manning that the contents of their communication would remain private. Mr Lamo told Manning that he should consider him as a ”minister or a journalist”, adding that their chats would be treated as ”a confession or an interview, never to be published”.
Less than a month later, however, Mr Lamo had shared the chats with the authorities and the media.
Mr Coombs attempted to press the matter for several minutes, with Mr Lamo evading his questions. Finally, Mr Coombs asked: ”Do you believe [Manning] was coming to you for moral support?”
Mr Lamo was unapologetic, saying: ”I think he wanted to brag about what he had done.”
Mr Lamo said he offered himself as a confessor because he is a minister in the Universal Life Church. The church’s website invites applicants to become ordained by filling out an online form.
Manning’s lawyers have attempted to portray their client as a troubled young man struggling with gender identity issues during a time when the military was governed by the ”don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.
Testimony by one of Manning’s former supervisors seemed to support the argument. Jihrleah Showman, who also worked as an intelligence analyst, said she warned commanders several times that Manning was in emotional distress and should not be allowed to handle classified material.
The defence was due to begin presenting its witnesses overnight. After the hearing concludes, the investigating officer will recommend whether Manning should face trial and if so, on what charges.
NEW YORK TIMES, AGENCIES
Article source: http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/hacker-reveals-manning-chats-20111221-1p5iw.html
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