Alleged Palin hacker gets case postponed

Son of Tennessee Republican on trial next May

17 November 2008 13:11 GMT / By Katie Scott

OK so Sarah Palin may not be heading for The White House (phewwwwwwww!), but she is still going to be in the headlines for some time to come.

And some column inches are bound to be given to the case of a 20-year-old University of Tennessee student indicted for allegedly accessing Governer Palin’s email illegally.

This is especially as David Kernell is the son of a prominent Tennessee state Republican, Mike Kernell.

However Kernell Jnr will now not stand trial until May 2009 when he is will face one count of accessing a computer without authorisation.

This crime carries up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The US Attorney and the Department of Justice has explained the delay stating: "Because of the nature of this case, significant forensic evaluation is required [and] the parties agree that … an extension should be granted to allow counsel the reasonable time necessary for effective preparation".