Army Pfc. Bradley Manning, is escorted out of a courthouse in handcuffs, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011 in Fort Meade, Md. Manning, an Army intelligence specialist accused of passing government secrets spent his 24th birthday in court Saturday as his lawyers argued his status as a gay soldier before the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" played an important role in his actions. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)