The “misbehavior” charge he faces carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and the desertion charge tops out at five years behind bars. Over the summer, the judge presiding over the case allowed evidence to be admitted that showed service members were wounded while searching for Bergdahl.
Bergdalh said he left the base in order to raise issues regarding his unit, but his lawyers contend he should not be held responsible for how subsequent searches were conducted. The sergeant’s defense also tried, unsuccessfully, to claim then-incoming President Donald Trump’s comments about Bergdahl unfairly influenced the case.