US Has 20 Witnesses For Manning Sentencing Phase

FORT MEADE, Md. (AP) — Military prosecutors say they'll call as many as 20 witnesses for the sentencing of Army Pfc. Bradley Manning, the soldier convicted of espionage crimes for giving classified information to WikiLeaks.

The sentencing phase of Manning's court-martial begins Wednesday at Fort Meade, near Baltimore. The hearing is scheduled through Aug. 23.

The government says as many as half of the prosecution witnesses will testify about classified matters in closed court. They include experts on counterintelligence, strategic planning and terrorism.

The government's case could include evidence of damage the leaks caused to national security and troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Manning was convicted Tuesday of 20 counts, including six violations the Espionage Act.