DemocracyNow.org – Defense lawyers for the alleged Army whistleblower Bradley Manning are accusing the U.S. government of withholding key evidence that could help Manning’s defense at a pre-trial hearing later this month. Manning’s attorneys say U.S. officials are refusing to hand over internal government documents that assessed the impact of the release of thousands of diplomatic cables that Manning allegedly passed on to WikiLeaks.

Published reports suggest the U.S. government’s own analysts concluded that the leaking of the cables posed little threat to national security. Manning’s hearing is set for December 16. He’ll be flown from the military prison in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to Fort Meade, Maryland, to make his first court appearance since his arrest in May 2010. Manning spent the first part of his imprisonment in harsh conditions including solitary confinement, leading to allegations of cruelty and torture.

Ahead of Manning’s first court date, the indie musician Cass McCombs stopped by the Democracy Now! studio to debut a new song he wrote for Manning. The song is called “Bradley Manning.”

To watch the complete daily, independent news hour, read the transcript or download the podcast, visit http://www.democracynow.org.

You may subscribe to WAMMToday from this blog website and “Follow” us.  WAMMToday is now on Facebook!   Check the WAMMToday page for posts from this blog and more! “Like” our page today.