The federal court jury reached its verdict against David Kernell, 22, after four days of deliberation. He was found guilty of obstruction of justice and unauthorized access to a computer, but was acquitted on a charge of wire fraud.
The jury deadlocked on a charge of identify theft. Prosecutors reserve the right to have a new trial on that charge. The charge of obstructing an investigation carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence and unauthorized access to a computer is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum one-year sentence.
Kernell's defense attorney maintained the hack amounted to college prank, not a crime. Kernell was a student at the University of Tennessee at the time. Prosecutors argued it was a more serious effort to damage Palin's political campaign.
» Read more of the AP story.
» Take a look at Palin's hacked email. [Gawker]
» Bristol Palin says she was harassed after her mom's email was hacked. [New York Daily News]
In other news:
» Some Hispanic Americans hope the Arizona law deters illegal immigration. [CNN]
» Shanghai opens Expo with dazzling display. [The Washington Post]
» Indiana boys accused of killing stepdad to run away. [AP]