My hunch is that he was groomed and sent in by Assange. So was Snowden, imo.
From what I have read about the Snowden case I am grateful for his actions. He has let the average Joe know that the gov is snooping on him in violation of the 4th amendment.
People with their ear to the ground (geeks, freeps..etc) have figured this was true for years now.
If new evidence comes out that proves Snowden has by his actions compromised lives then I will be as harsh on him as I am on Manning. The trouble is how do you trust what the gov says about the case since the constitution is just an old and irrelevant piece of paper to them?