Friday, April 30, 2010

Jury convicts Kernell on two counts; mistrial declared on another (Updated)

*
A federal jury this afternoon convicted the son of a Democrat state legislator who intruded into Sarah Palin's e-mail email account on the felony count of destruction of records to hamper a federal investigation and the misdemeanor charge of unlawfully obtaining information from a protected computer. The panel acquitted 22-year-old David Kernell, of felony wire fraud. The judge declared a mistrial on the count of felony identity theft after the jury remained deadlocked on Kernell's guilt or innocence on the fourth charge:
Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Weddle said federal prosecutors would decide next week if they would retry the former University of Tennessee economics major on that charge.

Phillips said he would set a sentencing date after prosecutors make that decision.

Kernell and his family left the federal courthouse without comment. His attorney, Wade Davies, said they would issue a statement later.

Kernell remains free on bond.
Read the full story at the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Update: The DOJ news release is here.

- JP

No comments:

Post a Comment