Brian Manning, Bradley's Father, Discusses Son's Sentence With Anderson Cooper (VIDEO)

Bradley Manning's Father: 'In My Heart' I Believe He's Innocent

Army Pfc. Bradley Manning's father told Anderson Cooper Tuesday night that he believes his son is innocent and was "grandstanding" in court.

Bradley could face a sentence of up to 90 years in prison for leaking classified information to WikiLeaks. He hasn't spoken to his father, Brian Manning, in months.

Cooper asked Brian if he still believes, as he did early in the trial, that his son is innocent.

"In my heart I believe that," he replied, adding that he wondered if perhaps "someone tried to turn the tables on him" after Bradley struck a co-worker.

Although Bradley confessed the leak in court, saying he "wanted to spark a domestic debate," Brian suggested "he was grandstanding. He was used to running his life on his own. He was a man of the house."

At the same time, Brian said if he could speak freely to his son, he would tell Bradley "that he had no excuse whatsoever for allegedly releasing that information."

Despite mixed emotions, Brian concluded, "I still love my son."

Before You Go

Abuse Of Prisoners

Guantanamo Bay Revelations From WikiLeaks

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