WikiLeaks source Chelsea Manning walks free after seven years in prison

Pvt. Chelsea Manning, the transgender soldier who was convicted of leaking classified materials to WikiLeaks was released from prison after seven years on Wednesday. She quickly got on Twitter to post about her freedom. Private Chelsea Manning, the army soldier who was sentenced to 35 years in a military prison for giving classified materials to Wiki-leaks said Wednesday that she's excited about what lies ahead. Manning, who is transgender and was known as Bradley Manning before she transitioned in prison was convicted in 20-13 on 20 counts — including six espionage act violations, theft and computer fraud. She said she wanted to expose what she considered to be the US military's disregard for of the effects of war on civilians — she said the information she released wouldn't harm the US. Then-president Barack Obama commuted her sentence in January to about seven years, including time she spent locked up before conviction.