Bowe Bergdahl Gets No Prison Time But Is Dishonorably Discharged After Abandoning Post
FORT BRAGG, N.C. — A military judge spared Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl from prison for walking off his post in Afghanistan in 2009, slapping him with a dishonorable discharge but no time behind bars.
Bergdahl, who pleaded guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, faced up to life in prison. Defense attorneys had asked for leniency, citing the five years Bergdahl spent in Taliban captivity, criticism from Donald Trump on the campaign trail, and his mental state.
But prosecutors hoped to prove that Bergdahl endangered his comrades by abandoning his post and called for a 14-year prison sentence .
Related: Prosecutors in Bowe Bergdahl Case Call for 14-Year Prison Sentence
The judge, Col. Jeffery Nance, reduced Bergdahl's military grade to the lowest level in announcing his sentence. Bergdahl was nervous, clenching both hands as he left the court with his lawyers.
Soldiers, relatives of soldiers, experts, a psychiatrist, and Bergdahl himself testified during the sentencing hearing.
In one of the most powerful testimonies, the wife of a soldier who was shot in the head while searching for Bergdahl spoke of how their family's lives were forever changed.
"He's lost me as a wife, essentially, because instead of being his wife, I'm his caregiver," said Shannon Allen, whose husband, Master Sgt. Mark Allen, is wheelchair-bound and cannot speak. "I mean, we can't hold hands anymore, unless I pry open his hand and place mine in it."
Later that day, Bergdahl unexpectedly took the stand . Breaking down, he called abandoning his post a "terrible move" and detailed several unsuccessful escape attempts from his captors. He recalled painful bed sores and said his captors burned the bottoms of his feet. He described having uncontrollable diarrhea, and open sores on his ankles and his head where a blindfold rubbed against his skin.
Bergdahl walked off from his base in Afghanistan on June 30, 2009, and was captured by the Taliban. He was released in 2014 in a prisoner swap arranged by President Barack Obama. The deal was criticized by Trump and other Republicans.
While running for president, Trump disparaged Bergdahl, 31, as a "dirty rotten traitor" and called for him to be executed by firing squad or tossed out of a plane without a parachute.
Nance temporarily halted the sentencing hearing after seeing a video of Trump on Oct. 16 referring to his campaign trail comments in which he said he couldn't talk about Bergdahl, but added , "But I think people have heard my comments in the past." Nance later denied a motion by the defense to dismiss the case based on Trump's comments.
Bergdahl has said he left his post to reach a commander at another post to raise concern about problems in his unit. Defense attorney Capt. Nina Banks argued the torture he endured from his captors was punishment enough, followed by being labeled a traitor and a deserter by Trump when he came home.
“Sgt. Bergdahl has been punished enough,” she said. “It is undisputed Sgt. Bergdahl paid a bitter price.”
She also pointed to his mental disorders. A psychiatrist testified that Bergdahl was suffering from schizotypal personality disorder, a schizophrenia-like condition, and post-traumatic stress disorder when he walked away in Afghanistan. Deserting his post was consistent with Bergdahl's personality disorder, said Dr. Charles Morgan.
"I think he believes there are times that, if it's the morally right thing to do, you have to break the rules," he said. "There's not a thinking through of: 'Are there other ways to achieve this goal?'"
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I think the judge needs to be investigated for dereliction of duty!
Bergdahl's lawyers are already appealing his Dishonorable Discharge stating that he needs his VA Benefits and that a Dishonorable Discharge also makes future earning a living nearly impossible.....
And from what I can see, Bergdahl gets to keep his $300,000 in Back Pay, minus his $10,000 fine.
As an Army veteran (ret), this was the wrong outcome IMO. Rarely, hell never, have I agreed with Trump, but this time I do. The man is a traitor. If you are correct about the back pay then he is lucky to have that. He can add a room onto his parents home and live there. The remainder of the money will provide him enough food and necessities for a very long time. He does not deserve any future military benefits.
And those soldiers that were killed injured looking for disgusting piece of excrament needed there lives. Those that were injured looking for him needed a life free of pain and disability. Their familues needed those men home and in one piece.
Bergdahl has no business anywhere near a VA facility or anywhere else near soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who really did serve honorably congregate.
And why am I supposed concerned about how that POS makes a living? If I had my way, he would nit be eligible to receive any government assistance what so ever.
He should be shunned by all decent people everywhere which probably means the left will accept him with open arms.
Add a room ???
His wacko parents have his room preserved as a shrine since he left home.
0bamba will not doubt charter a private jet for Bergdahl to get home to mommy.
nope...if Obama had a son...
He will be moving in with them!
Well then, he will not have to spend money on adding a room will he? As far as Obama flying him home in a private jet, lay off of the Kool Aid.