David Kernell, the son of Tennessee Democratic State Representative Mike Kernell, was indicted this morning for intentionally accessing the email account of Sarah Palin without authorization. Kernell, appearing in “handcuffs, shackles, and tennis shoes”, turned himself to police following the federal grand jury’s decision. He plead not guilty.

The judge granted Kernell release as long as he stays off his computer, unless it’s for college purposes, and has no contact with Palin or her family.

“Do you feel like you know what is going on here?” the judge asked Kernell.

“I believe I do,” Kernell said.

Kernell, an economics major at UT, can’t leave East Tennessee without written permission from his probation officer. That includes going home to Memphis.

The judge also ordered him not to discuss the case with any potential witnesses.

If convicted, Kernell faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a three-year probation.

Jim Hoft at Gateway Pundit looked a little more into Kernell’s life. The University of Tennessee economics student was a member of the Facebook group, “UT for Barack Obama”. He also supported liberal comedian Stephen Colbert and the release of the so-called “Jena Six”.