Supporters hold vigil for Reality Winner, accused NSA leaker

LINCOLNTON, GA (WFXG) - In two days it will have been one year since Reality Winner was identified as the source of a leaked National Security Agency memo. An investigative website -- The Intercept -- posted a story based on that memo about a Russian government hack into computers at a voting machine company.
The report said at least one email account was compromised. Winner, a government contractor at the time, allegedly leaked the document to The Intercept. Sunday, June 3rd, almost a year later she is still in jail - charged with violating the Espionage Act.

Her mother, Billie Winner-Davis, has been able to visit Reality, but she say's it's been difficult not being able to embrace her. "I never thought that we would come to this day, I thought that for sure something would happen, that we wouldn't see that she's been in here a year. And so I wanted to do something for her and for ourselves for this year and we wanted to be here, here at the Lincoln County Jail," Winner said.

Former Congressional Candidate Ryan Guillory attended the candlelight vigil in support of Reality Winner. He started a petition in hopes of getting bond set for Reality.

“If Donald Trump can pardon criminals like Joe Arpaio, who commited various types of police misconduct, including abuse of power, misuse of funds, failure to investigate sex crimes, improper clearance of cases, unlawful enforcement of immigration laws, he can pardon Reality Winner,” Guillory said.

Family, friends and supporters of Winner met at the Lincoln County Jail to hold a candlelight vigil so the public doesn't forget about her. This is extremely close to home for Thomas Drake. Drake is a military vet who was charged under the espionage case during the Obama Administration.

"It's an utter travesty of justice it's unconscionable because this is America. A defendant, no matter what the nature of the charges, up to an including the espionage act - just like I was charged, have rights," Drake said.

Supporters say they would visit again and be there for the family if they are needed. Her trial date has been pushed back and is now set for October 15