At his court-martial Wednesday, the whistle-blower behind the biggest leak in American history apologized.

“I’m sorry that my actions hurt people,” quotes the L.A. Times. “I’m sorry that I hurt the United States.”

Manning said he had wanted to help people, and apologized for “the unintended consequences of my actions.” He asked the judge to give him an opportunity to be “a better person” and “return to a productive place in society.”

The army private is in the sentencing phase of his court-martial and faces up to 90 years in prison.

Manning said he leaked because he wanted to change the world. Of that charge, at least, he is most certainly guilty.

— Posted by Peter Z. Scheer

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