that's why I wouldn't want to live in the US. the criminal system is out of control. if you "fuck up" a little bit or they just get the wrong guy there's a chance you will spend a big part of your life behind bars (or worse).
The guy is scum, and deserves to be locked away for a lot longer than the 3 years you think would be hard.
The part that weighs so heavy is the planning, the full intent and showing absolutely no remorse to the court. The hacking was just a means to an end. He got sentenced for willingly, cold bloodedly and with full intent trying to destroy his neighbor's life.
This would not have gone down any different in the EU.
And darn am I sick of fellow Europeans flinging poo towards the USA every chance they get and 99% of them haven't ever actually worked or lived there.
I dare to bet no EU country would have sentenced someone to 18 years for what he did.