What the Commander in Chief or even a Presidential candidate says concerning an ongoing trial for a U.S. Military person isn't any where near the same as "any individual".  Quite frankly it is irresponsible for somebody in that position to make a judgement statement.  The defense (who are military officers, assigned to the case, doing the job tasked to them) were trying to show undue influence in order to get a reduced sentence and represent their charge to the best of their abilities.
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I do take great exception to your characterization of Col. Nance.  You know nothing of his qualifications or his performance, nor do you have any idea of the reasons why he sentenced the way he did.  Besides, do you really think that in a high profile case like this that a U.S. Army Colonel doesn't get a sense of what outcome that Big Green wanted?