David Kernell Jury Deadlocked on ID Theft Charge

The jury has reached unanimous decisions on three charges- wire fraud, unauthorized access to a computer and obstruction of justice, but still can’t decide if he is guilty of identity theft. While they haven’t said what the verdict is yet, I am guessing guilty.

From Foxnews here:

A federal jury is headed for a fourth day of deliberating the fate of a Tennessee college student accused of hacking into Sarah Palin’s e-mail account.

The jury in Knoxville told the judge on Thursday that they are deadlocked on one charge but have reached unanimous decisions on three others. They adjourned in the afternoon and will return Friday.

The jurors declined to announce their verdicts on charges of wire fraud, unauthorized access to a computer and obstruction of justice. The deadlocked charge is identity theft.

Former University of Tennessee student David Kernell is charged with breaking into the e-mail while Palin was the Republican vice presidential candidate in 2008.

The 22-year-old faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted of all charges.

I don’t think the identity theft charge really fit the crime. Its not like he stole her credentials and opened up a new line of credit in her name. But the rest of the charges will probably send him up the river for at least five years.