Defendant in Palin hacking case can't use questionnaire

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A University of Tennessee student accused of hacking the personal e-mail account of former Gov. Sarah Palin cannot screen potential jurors by questionnaire.

A federal judge in Knoxville denied a request by lawyers for David C. Kernell that a jury pool fill out papers, answering questions about their political inclinations and their attitudes about Palin, who was also the running mate of Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

The Knoxville News Sentinel reported U.S. Magistrate Judge Clifford Stanley denied the request, saying little benefit would come from burdening potential jurors.

The 21-year-old Kernell is the son of a Democratic Tennessee legislator. He allegedly gained access to Palin's account last September by correctly answering a series of personal security questions. He has pleaded not guilty.