A federal judge has shot down a former University of Tennessee student's bid to have tossed out convictions in the illegal access of Sarah Palin's personal e-mail account during the 2008 presidential election.I have to say that I think the felony rap is excessive. "Anticipatory Obstruction of Justice"? That's a pretty broad net to cast, and sorry to say I don't trust politically appointed (or elected) DAs not to abuse that power. The kid is a punk, hit him with a couple misdemeanors, fine him, and make him pick up the trash for a while.
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The feds slapped Kernell with four felony charges. At his trial in April jurors rejected a wire fraud charge outright, reduced a felony illegal e-mail access charge to a misdemeanor, deadlocked on an identity theft count and convicted Kernell of the felony charge of anticipatory obstruction of justice.
But taking away his voting and gun rights over this? Good grief. That's just encouraging the encroaching Government Elite to come after more people.
Agreed.
ReplyDelete"Anticipatory Obstruction of Justice" smacks too much of "Thinkin' about doing something bad".
A little time spent cleaning out Dog Kennels at the local Animal Shelter is another nice way to spread the Community Service Love :)
We reap what we sow.
ReplyDeleteAs a society, we've been allowing the government to take more and more control over our lives. "There oughta be a law" and the fact that the government has no control over non-criminals, is what leads to virtually everything being a crime and minor "offenses" becoming felonies.
It's poetic justice that this person is presumably of the political persuasion that is the most active in enacting these "citizen control" measures so I find the verdict quite fitting personally.
I think a felony charge is absolutely ridiculous. Especially when Comrade Sam gets a pass.
ReplyDeleteTJP, agreed. I'm very uncomfortable with a Felony rap for this.
ReplyDeleteThe question is who will they use it on next? I think we all suspect that we know the answer.