American-born John Walker Lindh was sentenced to 20 years as expected today. The AP reported the sentencing hearing was filled with drama despite the agreement of the parties on the length of the sentence. Lindh made a long statement, breaking down several times. He apologized, renounced Bin Laden and criticized the September 11 attacks. Here is the text of Lindh's statement to the Court.

The New York Times reports Lindh told the Judge "that he had gone to Afghanistan out of religious fervor to fight anti-Taliban forces there, not his countrymen, and that he had never taken up arms against American forces. "I did not go to fight against America, and I never did," he said."

According to CNN's coverage of the hearing,

"Walker Lindh denied having any role in Spann's death and the judge said he would not have accepted the plea bargain if there were any proof of such a role."

"Walker Lindh told U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III that he "made a mistake by joining the Taliban" and "had I realized then what I know now about the Taliban I would never have joined them."

Like all federal prisoners, Lindh will do 85% of his sentence, or a little less than 17 years.