KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Sarah Palin today took the stand at the trial of a former University of Tennessee student accused of hacking into her e-mail account.

Palin told jurors she was on the 2008 campaign trail in Michigan when she first learned from a news report that her e-mail had been hacked. She said the account and a Blackberry were the main ways she communicated with her family while she was campaigning as the Republican vice presidential nominee.

David Kernell, the 22-year-old son of a Democratic Tennessee lawmaker, faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted of identity theft, mail fraud and two other felony charges.

Palin's husband, Todd, listened as she testified. Their daughter Bristol testified earlier about harassing calls and text messages.