Marines change commander at facility where WikiLeaks suspect held
Chief Warrant Officer James Averhart, who was in charge of the detention center at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., has been replaced by Chief Warrant Officer Denise Barnes, Quantico spokesman Lt. Brian Villiard said.
The change of command was ordered back in October and is not related to concerns that Manning's lawyer, said Villiard. But prosecutor Manning is a hope that the new commander will move the client into a state of less restrictive confinement.
"We hope it will make a comprehensive review of the custody status of the PFC. Manning, lawyer for David Coombs told CNN. Manning's current situation" is unjustified and unnecessary, while he awaits trial, " Coombs added.
Manning has been behind bars since July on charges of leaking classified government documents, including a video of a classified military attack in Iraq that has been posted by Wikileaks.
Manning faces eight counts of violating the U.S. criminal code leaked the video. It also is believed to be the prime suspect in the last flight of dozens of documents WikiLeaks.org. It was leaking information that has been in American history.
The army has fiercely defended the imprisonment of Manning situation. He is currently in what is known as "injury prevention" status, but last week, Manning was on suicide watch two and a half days.
Manning's attorney formally objected to this change in the state, filing a complaint under Article 138 of the army.
"He was stripped of all clothing except his underwear. Its prescription glasses were taken away from him," Coombs said in a blog about filing a complaint. "He was forced to sit in the blinding key with the exception of the time he had read or TV privileges restricted. In these times, his glasses himself."
Manning was suicide watch after a review of the situation that the Judge Advocate of the Army office. Navy spokesman insisted the commander Villiard internment camp was within his rights to make the change of status, but would not say why Villiard state Manning had been changed.
"Commander Brig has the ultimate responsibility to decide what to order the prisoner to be provided. It based its decision on the information of professional intellectuals, medical personnel and Marine guards, who interact with him all day. Commander was in his very right. Not only is their right, under its responsibility, "said Villiard.
The less restrictive "Injury Prevention", Manning shows means confined to his cell 23 hours per day, without sheets or personal items. Your mattress has a pillow in it and allowed two blankets - but they are designed in a transparent manner, can not be broken, Villiard said. When asleep, he should pull her underwear and clothing to give up their guards.
Coombs said Manning, a workout, when he brought in an empty room and not walk. But another military spokesman, Marine Col. David Lapa, said that if Manning spent his walk is his choice between the alternatives.
"It is possible to do many other things (such as a treadmill, push-ups, sit ups, etc.) during their training time (but not in his cell)," Lapan said in an e-mail to CNN .
Meanwhile, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said Wednesday that Manning is not treated differently than any other prisoner quantum structures
"I believe that he was detained is entirely appropriate and entirely consistent with how any and all inmates treated brig," said Morrell.
But Coombs argued that a military psychiatrist in question is always advisable to make the crew even less stringent conditions, adding there was no reason to keep him as "accident prevention" to watch.
The forensic psychiatrist will meet with Manning this week, Villiard said, and make a recommendation to the board of classification and employment, which will then advise the new commander, Barnes if Manning has to stay on the level of the clock. She has the final word on whether Manning is to "prevent injury" to view or enter a different custody level as Villiard care less restrictive means said.