Tenn. student hires lawyer in Palin case

MEMPHIS, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- A Tennessee state legislator whose son is reportedly being investigated for hacking Gov. Sarah Palin's e-mails says the college student has hired an attorney.

Democratic State Rep. Mike Kernell of Memphis said Tuesday his 20-year-old son David, a University of Tennessee student, has retained a Knoxville, Tenn., attorney after reports indicated FBI agents searched the student's apartment during the weekend, The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported.

The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed Monday that investigators had been in Knoxville to investigate reports that a computer hacker had broken into the personal e-mail account of Palin, the Republican U.S. vice presidential nominee and Alaska governor.

Mike Kernell would not confirm that his son was being investigated in connection with the hacking incident, the Commercial Appeal said, but he denounced suggestions that he and his son were part of a Democratic conspiracy to embarrass Palin.

"Did I take part in a conspiracy? No," he said. "I was informed of this situation Thursday morning for the first time."