Speakeasy forum: Jury convicts Palin e-mail intruder on two counts;

although I'm not holding my breath.

He made a choice and sometimes those come with consequences. IMO he should require a psyche evaluation to determine if he knows right from wrong. If he does and he willingly chose to act wrong his sentence should lean toward the harsher side of the sentencing guidelines. I'd wager that he knew he was breaking into something he shouldn't and that he knew better so they should make an example of him.

..... because his dad is a Democrat in the state legislature.

That is an assumption held by those who are crossing their fingers that eventually investigators will finally find a direct link to his dad, then the DNC, then to the White House. (No, not to the White House because President Bush was still in office.) Anyway, high enough to prove the whole thing was a conspiracy. If they don't find a a link t will forever remain on the conspiracy list.

Angeline

Same party as the convicted? Yes.

She was McCain's choice on the ticket, so I guess it could be said they were running for the same office.

But from where emanates the smell?


Angeline

....Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein when you really need them? Or someone similar to keep pounding away at this till someone in the Democratic party is finally discovered to be behind it, and they can say "I am not a crook".

....and doing something wrong for the fun of it is not a legitimate defense for one's choice to do so.

Gordon Liddy and company must have been dancing in the streets after having so much fun. Hmm, remind me again, what happened to those fellows? Had to pay for their "fun" did they?

(Assuming that he hated her, which I doubt. )

I think that guys living in college dorms pretty much make their own evaluations.

(And they can be as wrong in their assessments as anyone else.)


Angeline

Maybe 10 at the outside, but I'm betting he walks with a stern warning and maybe community service. I'd be satisfied if he got 5 and served it.

From quick searches, in the US first degree burglary as a first offense 2 to 6 years average sentence.

So do you equate this hack with first degree burglary?

Interestingly, reading indicates that an assault charge can result in sentences from probation to 5 or more years. Note that assault charges may not involve physical contact, just a threat in the right circumstance can be considered an assault. Anyway, some assaults with physical contact, for example fist fights, can end up in probation. Interesting to see in connection with a possible 10 to 20 year sentence for hacking Yahoo email account.

I'm all for more punishment of cyber crime, but it seems only high profile cases get solved, or actually even investigated. Then the cry is for the maximum the law would allow.

Nothing new there of course. High profile cases can make a prosecutor, or a defending attorney, so they get special care on either side.

Roger

...people stealing mail from mailboxes in front of homes? Should they be prosecuted under US Postal Laws?

to open a mail box than an email account, so maybe the extra effort expended counts toward a bit heavier sentence. One can claim spur of moment on theft from a mail box, but email hack is definite premeditated crime. I so think the penalty should be similar to postal box theft, but damage caused to the victim should also be taken into account. For instance, stealing coupons from someone's mailbox is different than stealing their SS check, the latter creating greater harm to the victim. Perhaps that's the concept behind stronger prosecution for it being Palin's email than yours or mine.

They got him on obstruction of justice. That can carry a 20 year sentence, and the average sentence given is over 5 years.
If I had to guess, I'd predict that he gets 2-1/2 years.

it would be a crime, as it's an attempt to cover up illegal activity, regardless of when a warrant was issued.