WikiLeaks: Manning Motive Central To Pretrial Hearing

Attorneys for the prosecution are revealing more clues about their case against Army Pfc. Bradley Manning, accused in the leak of government documents to the WikiLeaks website.

Attorney Joe Morrow says the government will present evidence that members of Al Qaeda, including Osama Bin Laden, saw some of the documents Private Bradley Manning allegedly gave to the website. At the heart of that evidence, is the government's claim that publishing classified information is the equivalent of aiding the enemy.

Defense attorney David Coombs disagreed, citing recent cases involving military personnel who passed information directly to the enemy.

At issue during this phase of the pretrial hearing is a motion by the government to block defense attorneys from using evidence of Manning's motive for leaking thousands of documents and diplomatic cables.

In order to provide time for attorneys on both sides of the case to review thousands of formerly secret government documents and diplomatic cables, Judge Col. Denise Lind reset the start date of the trial, moving it from March 6 to June 3.

Also on Wednesday, Manning offered guilty pleas in return for reduced charges on two of 22 counts he faces. The private already had eight other proffers being considered.

Arguments continue Thursday in what's expected to be the final day of pretrial motions.