FORT MEADE, Md. — A military judge is refusing to dismiss theft charges against an Army private who leaked reams of classified information to the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks.
Col. Denise Lind ruled Thursday in the court-martial of Pfc. Bradley Manning. She said prosecutors presented some evidence to support the charges.
The theft charges are part of a larger case against Manning, who is charged with aiding the enemy, which carries a possible sentence of up to life in prison.
Closing arguments in the court-martial are expected to start Thursday.
The defense had asked the judge to acquit the former intelligence analyst on five theft charges, each punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
The charges allege Manning stole hundreds of thousands of battlefield reports, diplomatic cables and other documents.