Judge to consider delaying Bergdahl trial by several months

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The Associated Press

FILE – In this Jan. 12, 2016, file photo, Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl arrives for a pretrial hearing at Fort Bragg, N.C. The Army sought to have U.S. Sen. John McCain back away from statements about punishment for Bowe Bergdahl because of concerns about hurting the soldier’s right to a fair trial, according to newly released emails. The emails were revealed in a motion filed Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, seeking the dismissal of charges against Bergdahl, who walked off his post in Afghanistan in 2009 and wound up in enemy captivity for five years. (AP Photo/Ted Richardson, File)

RALEIGH, N.C. — A military judge will consider delaying the trial of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl on charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy.

A pretrial hearing is scheduled Monday at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

Prosecutors filed a motion in October asking to delay the trial by several months until May 2017. They cite the pace at which they’re able to get approval to give the defense classified evidence.

Federal Times reporter Amber Corrin, Army Times Managing Editor Tony Lombardo and Air Force Times Reporter Oriana Pawlyk discuss the latest developments in the Bergdahl case in last week’s two-part episode of the Serial podcast.

Defense lawyers previously argued the case should be taken off the calendar because of the evidence issue, but they haven’t said whether they agree with the prosecution’s latest request.

Bergdahl, who’s from Hailey, Idaho, walked off his post in Afghanistan in 2009 and was held captive by the Taliban and its allies for five years. He faces up to life in prison if convicted of both charges.

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