Jurors to get Palin hack case after instruction

[April 27, 2010]  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.

[Associated Press]

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