Manning Judge Refuses to Step Down

(Posted on 16/12/11)

Just as the case against Bradley Manning finally appeared to be kicking off, court was quickly adjourned on Friday.

Manning, a 23 year old U.S. soldier has been charged with unleashing countless American government documents to WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange.

Here in the U.S., all eyes were on Lt. Col. Paul Almanza as defense attorney, David Coombs ask him to recuse himself because of the potential bias in the case. Lt. Col. Almanza refused to do so, saying there was no reason to believe bias would enter into his decision making process. At that time, Coombs requested a recess so that he could re-strategize.

Coombs claims Almanza's role as a former Justice Department prosecutor would prevent him from maintaining fairness in Manning's case. The Justice Department has sought to shut down WikiLeaks from the very beginning. Further, Coombs cried foul when 36 of 38 of his witnesses would not be testifying. And, finally, along with those too concerns, Coombs said the media's presence would put his client at a disadvantage. American courts often allow media to attend and even broadcast trials as they are happening.

As things began heating up, Almanza loudly exclaimed that his time with the prosecution was served on child exploitation and obscenity cases, which had no correlation on any level with Manning's case. Nevertheless, Coombs is in the process of filing a series of writs with the Army Corp Criminal Appeals in an effort to further delay the trial and get Almanza kicked off the trial.

Manning facings more than 20 charges of leaking the confidential information - even information that could have put military forces in jeopardy - and faces life in prison if he's convicted.

In the states, the court of public opinion has long since determined Manning is a traitor and deserves the harshest punishment possible. This, as Assange continues to rest comfortably as news arrives that he won't have to go to Sweden until after the new year if his appeals against extradition are successful.