The Latest: Bergdahl court-martial start delayed to February

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – The Latest on a pre-trial hearing ahead of a pending court-martial for Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl (all times local):

10:05 a.m.

A military judge is delaying the start of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl’s military trial until February.

Col. Jeffrey Nance said during a pre-trial hearing Tuesday at Fort Bragg in North Carolina that delaying the court-martial from August should allow enough time to sort through access to classified documents by Bergdahl’s defence team.

Nance also ordered military prosecutors to set up online access to court documents for news organizations covering the case of the soldier charged with desertion for leaving his combat outpost in Afghanistan and falling into Taliban hands.

The 30-year-old native of Hailey, Idaho, was held as a prisoner of war for five years until President Barack Obama freed five detainees from Guantanamo Bay in exchange for his return. He faces a life sentence if convicted of misbehaviour before the enemy.

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4 a.m.

Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is back in court as the military prepares his court-martial on charges including desertion for leaving his combat outpost in Afghanistan and falling into Taliban hands.

A hearing officer at Fort Bragg in North Carolina on Tuesday will consider the government’s request to postpone the start from August until December to better prepare classified documents.

Given the shape of the presidential campaign, that could mean Bergdahl will face military justice at a time when the incoming Commander-in-Chief is either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump.

Berghdal, of Hailey, Idaho, was held as a prisoner of war for five years until President Barack Obama freed five detainees from Guantanamo Bay in exchange for his return. He faces a life sentence if convicted of misbehaviour before the enemy.