Hmmmm...I haven't heard, but have been wondering....exactly how did the UT officials discover this?? True, he did (eventually) step forward and turn himself in, but I wonder, would he have done so if the media hadn't sensationalized the story?

Regarding your question about cutting him some slack....they let him go without bail -- I think that says a lot right there. I'm sure there are many other ways he could have demonstated his programming/cracking prowess. While his act deserves some punishment, I don't think he'll get, nor do I think he deserves eight years.