Federal jury gets Sarah Palin e-mail hacking case in 6th day of Knoxville trial

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Jurors in Tenn. get Palin e-mail hacking case

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The case against a former University of Tennessee student charged with hacking into Sarah Palin’s e-mail is in the hands of a federal jury.

The jury of eight men and six women started deliberating in Knoxville on Tuesday morning after getting instructions on the charges against 22-year-old David Kernell.

After Kernell chose not to testify, defense attorney Wade Davies told the panel in a closing argument that his client pulled a prank and guessed his way into Palin’s e-mail. He said Kernell as a 20-year-old made “some stupid decisions” but had no criminal intent.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Weddle told jurors Monday that Kernell set out with a plan to derail Palin’s campaign when she was the Republican vice presidential candidate in 2008.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Sarah Palin e-mail hacking case in which a former University of Tennessee student is charged is expected to go to a federal jury.

The jury is expected to start deliberating Tuesday in Knoxville after getting instructions on the charges against 22-year-old David Kernell.

Defense attorney Wade Davies told the panel Monday after Kernell chose to not testify that his client pulled a prank and guessed his way into Palin’s e-mail. He said Kernell as a 20-year-old made “some stupid decisions” but had no criminal intent.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Weddle told jurors Kernell set out with a plan to derail Palin’s campaign when she was the Republican vice presidential candidate.

Convictions on all charges carry a maximum possible 50-year sentence.