Hacker: WikiLeaks soldier ‘not trying to help the enemy’

A one-time computer hacker who told authorities private first class Bradley Manning was giving information to WikiLeaks testified yesterday that the soldier never said he wanted to help the enemy during their online chats.

Manning is on trial for giving hundreds of thousands of documents to WikiLeaks. He pleaded guilty to charges that could bring 20 years behind bars, but the military has pressed ahead with a court-martial on more serious charges, including aiding the enemy. That charge carries a potential life sentence.

Adrian Lamo, a convicted hacker, said he started chatting online with Manning on May 20, 2010, and alerted law enforcement the next day about the contents of the soldier’s messages, including his mention of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. He said he continued chatting with Manning for six more days.