Judge refuses to throw out Tennessee student’s convictions in hacking of Sarah Palin’s e-mail

Judge: Verdict stands in hacked Palin e-mail case

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A federal judge has declined to throw out the convictions of a former University of Tennessee student for hacking Sarah Palin’s e-mail account during the 2008 campaign.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Phillips issued the ruling Thursday and The Knoxville News Sentinel reported that the defense attorney for David C. Kernell is appealing to a higher court.

Kernell was found guilty last April in federal court of obstruction of justice and unauthorized access to a computer, but acquitted of a wire fraud charge. His attorney contended the hacking was a prank.

The former Alaska governor and her daughter Bristol testified that the hacking caused them emotional hardship.

Kernell could face 15 to 21 months in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 29.

Information from: The Knoxville News Sentinel, www.knoxnews.com