Politics | Sarah Palin Palin Hacker Found Guilty on 2 Counts David Kernell convicted of obstruction of justice, unlawful email access By Marie Morris Posted Apr 30, 2010 3:05 PM CDT Copied Sarah Palin speaks to reporters during a recess outside the federal courthouse in Knoxville, Tenn., April 23, 2010. She had testified in the hacking case against David Kernell, who has been convicted. (AP Photo/Wade Payne) A federal jury has convicted a 22-year-old former University of Tennessee student of hacking Sarah Palin's Yahoo email account during the 2008 campaign. David Kernell was acquitted of wire fraud but convicted of a felony, obstruction of justice, and a misdemeanor, unlawful computer access. The jury failed to reach a verdict on a charge of identity theft, WBIR in Knoxville reports. Kernell faces a maximum sentence of 21 years. Read These Next Tax season may actually bring good news for many this year. Figure skating coach shot dead in Starbucks drive-thru. Angie Harmon reconnects with beau from when she was 18. The Louvre's latest embarrassment: a $12 million fraud. Report an error