By Bill Poovey
The Associated Press
KNOXVILLE — A former University of Tennessee student who hacked into Sarah Palin’s e-mail account during the 2008 presidential campaign was sentenced Friday to a year and a day in custody and three years probation, with the judge recommending a halfway house instead of prison.
The sentence by U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Phillips fell short of the 18 months in prison sought by federal prosecutors to send a message to would-be hackers during political campaigns, but went beyond the probation recommended by defense attorneys for 22-year-old David Kernell. The additional day of his sentence will make him eligible for a reduced sentence for good behavior.
Phillips said Kernell should get mental health treatment, based on defense comments Friday that he has had conditions including depression since he was 11.