Bradley Manning apologizes as he appeals for leniency as sentencing winds down

Pfc. Bradley Manning, who was convicted in July, apologized on Wednesday in court as he tried to appeal for a lighter sentence.

Manning took the stand as the sentencing part of his court-martial winds down. According to NBC News, Manning talked without notes and said, “I’m sorry I hurt people. I’m sorry that I hurt the United States.” He also noted that he didn’t realize at the time, he was being naïve when he released those documents to WikiLeaks.

“I look back on my decisions and wonder how on earth could I, a junior analyst, believe I could change the world,” the 25-year-old said, reports the Los Angeles Times. “Unfortunately I can’t go back and change things. I can only go forward.”

NBC News notes that Manning could face up to 90 years in prison after being convicted in July.

As we previously reported, Manning was convicted in violating the Espionage Act, but was not found guilty in aiding the enemy, which was the greater charge laid against him.

He landed in hot water after handing over sealed documents on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to WikiLeaks.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

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