BOSTON (AP) — A pharmacist convicted for his role in a deadly 2012 meningitis outbreak tearfully apologized to the victims for their pain and suffering before being sentenced Wednesday to eight years in prison.

The outbreak killed 76 people, and nearly 800 people were sickened in what is considered the worst public health crisis in recent U.S. history. The meningitis infection was traced to contaminated steroid injections given mostly to people with back pain.

Glenn Chin sobbed as he struggled through his statement during his sentencing hearing in Boston's federal courthouse. He said he knows...