A small scale denial of service is "just a silly computer prank" -- it's like having a bunch of your friends stand in the street and block traffic. You're not allowed to do it, but that in no way justifies felony charges.

That seems to be the entire disconnect in this debate. It isn't about whether it was right or wrong, it's about the unreasonableness of imposing disproportionately severe penalties on someone who did a relatively minor bad thing.