FORT MEADE, Md. — U.S. Army Pfc. Bradley Manning was negligent in releasing classified secrets to WikiLeaks, but the former intelligence analyst did not know al-Qaida would see the material, a defense attorney said Friday.

During closing arguments, attorney David Coombs said the soldier did not have “evil intent,” a key point prosecutors must prove to convict Manning of aiding the enemy, the most serious charge he faces and one that could land him in prison for the rest of his life. Coombs disputed what prosecutors said a day earlier, that Manning was a traitor whose only mission in Iraq was to give classified information to the anti-secrecy website and bask in the attention.

“He’s not seeking attention. He’s saying he’s willing to accept the price” for what he has done, Coombs said.

After Coombs finished his three-hour argument, there was a smattering of applause from Manning supporters, who were quickly hushed by the judge hearing the case.

“All right, that’s enough,” said judge Col. Denise Lind. “This is a court of law. I would ask, please, that you keep your reactions muted.”

Meanwhile, one of Manning’s most visible supporters was banned from the trial after the judge said someone posted threats online. Clark Stoeckley, a college art instructor from New Jersey, confirmed he was the one booted from the trial.

Stoeckley attended the trial often as a sketch artist, arriving each day in a white box truck with bold words painted on the sides: “WikiLeaks TOP SECRET Mobile Information Collection Unit.”

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