SAN FRANCISCO – A lawyer for a Reuters editor accused of helping hackers deface a Los Angeles Times story said Friday that the journalist didn’t commit the crime, but even if he did, it was an Internet prank that shouldn’t send anyone to prison for 25 years.

“No one was hurt, there were no lasting injuries, no one’s identify was stolen, lives weren’t ruined,” said Matthew Keys’ attorney, Jay Leiderman. “It was a joke, and I guess a joke will get you 25 years in prison.”

Federal authorities allege that in December 2010, Keys provided hackers from the group Anonymous with login information to access the computer system of the Tribune Co., the parent company of the Times. Tribune also owns a Sacramento television station Keys was fired from months earlier.