KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Prosecutors in a new court filing say the former University of Tennessee student convicted of hacking Sarah Palin's e-mail should spend 18 months in prison.
A federal judge in Knoxville will sentence David Kernell, who was arrested in 2008 for hacking the former Alaska governor's e-mail, on Friday.
Palin and her daughter, Bristol, both testified at the April trial that the hacking caused their family emotional distress.
Defense attorney Wade Davies has filed motions seeking probation at the sentencing, contending Kernell used publicly available information to guess his way into the e-mail in a prank. Prosecutors in a new court filing say the hacking was motivated by Palin's status as a governor and candidate for vice president.
Editor's Note: Get Sarah Palin's new book, to be released soon, with our FREE Offer — Click Here Now.
© Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.