HOUSTON — Lawyers for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who faces military charges for leaving his post in Afghanistan in 2009, are likely to argue at his initial court hearing that his five years of being held captive by the Taliban were punishment enough, according to legal experts.
The Army on Thursday is set to begin an Article 32 hearing in which military prosecutors and Bergdahl’s lawyers will make their cases for why he should or shouldn’t face a court-martial.
The hearing will be held at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, where Bergdahl has been stationed since returning to the U.S. last year, and it could last several days.
The 29-year-old Idaho native was charged in March with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. If convicted of the misbehavior charge, he could face up to life in a military prison. He could also be dishonorably discharged, reduced in rank and made to forfeit all pay.
