It's interesting to apply that same logic to Lavabit itself. Perhaps, knowing the Snowden was the target of the subpoena, the Lavabit founder thought of himself as a member of a modern day underground railroad, intentionally disobeying the FBI to give Snowden time to find safe passage.
When Lavabit first shut down, they claimed that they have no problem complying with individual court orders, but refused to be complicit in crimes against humanity. Perhaps they protected Snowden to enable him to publicize those crimes, and that if the target was a serial killer, Lavabit would have complied.
When Lavabit first shut down, they claimed that they have no problem complying with individual court orders, but refused to be complicit in crimes against humanity. Perhaps they protected Snowden to enable him to publicize those crimes, and that if the target was a serial killer, Lavabit would have complied.