First published: 31st October 2008
David C. Kernell, 20, of Knoxville, pleaded not guilty to breaking into the email account of US vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Although he turned himself in to the police, the Knoxville court apparently considered him so dangerous as to require restraint by handcuffs and leg shackles while in court. After entering his plea, the University of Tennessee economics student was released without posting bond, but forbidden from using the internet except to check email and do class work.
As reported last month, David is the son of Democratic state Representative Mike Kernell, from Tennessee, making the case highly sensitive in the run-up to an American election. There is also the possibility that Governor Palin was using the private email account to conduct official state business, potentially violating open government laws requiring communications be carried out on state-issued accounts.