Fox News host Bill O'Reilly says Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl should be shown mercy if convicted of desertion because he already has suffered during his five years of captivity.
"If Sgt. Bergdahl is convicted, I would not send him to prison. I think we have to show some mercy here because the guy has suffered," O'Reilly said on Monday's
"O'Reilly Factor."
"He did cause his own demise, but he has suffered greatly."
Bergdahl was captured and held for five years by a Taliban-linked group after walking off his base in Afghanistan in 2009. He was freed in 2014 after a controversial trade of five top Taliban commanders being held at Guantanamo Bay.
Bergdahl faces loss of back pay, a dishonorable discharge and up to life in prison if convicted of the most serious charge, misbehavior before the enemy.
O'Reilly said Bergdahl already has suffered enough in confinement, and should be sent to prison.
"No honorable anything, no back pay, but no vengeance, either," he said.
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