Gunny
10-16-2017, 10:39 AM
Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was held by the Taliban after leaving his base in Afghanistan in 2009, has pleaded guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, according to multiple news outlets. Bergdahl was freed in 2014 in exchange for five Taliban detainees.
Bergdahl, a native of Idaho, pleaded guilty before the military judge in the case, Army Col. Jeffery R. Nance, at a hearing at Fort Bragg, N.C., on Monday, according to the Associated Press (http://www.wral.com/bergdahl-expected-to-plead-guilty-in-desertion-case-monday/17019600/).
The AP adds, "It's not clear if Bergdahl, 31, has a deal with prosecutors to limit his punishment, or if he's simply pleading guilty in hopes of leniency from Nance. The misbehavior charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, while the desertion charge is punishable by up to five years."
Questioned by Nance, Bergdahl said, "I left my observation post on my own," CNN reports (http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/16/politics/bowe-bergdahl-guilty-plea/index.html), adding that the soldier also said, "I understand leaving was against the law."
The guilty plea comes more than two years after the charges were filed. Earlier this year, Bergdahl's lawyers said their client wouldn't be able to get a fair trial (http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/02/13/514993946/lawyers-for-bowe-bergdahl-say-he-cant-get-a-fair-trial-after-trump-criticisms), citing dozens of comments about him that were made by President Trump, dating back to 2015
more: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/16/558050712/bowe-bergdahl-pleads-guilty-to-desertion-misconduct
One for the good guys
Bergdahl, a native of Idaho, pleaded guilty before the military judge in the case, Army Col. Jeffery R. Nance, at a hearing at Fort Bragg, N.C., on Monday, according to the Associated Press (http://www.wral.com/bergdahl-expected-to-plead-guilty-in-desertion-case-monday/17019600/).
The AP adds, "It's not clear if Bergdahl, 31, has a deal with prosecutors to limit his punishment, or if he's simply pleading guilty in hopes of leniency from Nance. The misbehavior charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, while the desertion charge is punishable by up to five years."
Questioned by Nance, Bergdahl said, "I left my observation post on my own," CNN reports (http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/16/politics/bowe-bergdahl-guilty-plea/index.html), adding that the soldier also said, "I understand leaving was against the law."
The guilty plea comes more than two years after the charges were filed. Earlier this year, Bergdahl's lawyers said their client wouldn't be able to get a fair trial (http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/02/13/514993946/lawyers-for-bowe-bergdahl-say-he-cant-get-a-fair-trial-after-trump-criticisms), citing dozens of comments about him that were made by President Trump, dating back to 2015
more: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/16/558050712/bowe-bergdahl-pleads-guilty-to-desertion-misconduct
One for the good guys