First Casey Anthony Juror Speaks: "I Did Not Say She Was Innocent"

Following Casey Anthony’s shocking acquittal yesterday for the murder of her daughter Caylee, many have been wondering how the jury failed to see what was so plain to devoted viewers of HLN who didn’t actually see all the evidence.

Today Jennifer Ford became the first juror to speak to the media, telling ABC News that the jury agonized over the verdict, but didn’t feel the prosecution proved its case. She explained:

“I did not say she was innocent. I just said there was not enough evidence. If you cannot prove what the crime was, you cannot determine what the punishment should be.”

Russell Huekler, a high school teacher who was one of five alternate jurors, discussed his thoughts on the verdict in several interviews today. Though he wasn’t present for deliberations, he says he would have acquitted Anthony too:

“The prosecution failed to prove their case and there was reasonable doubt. Again, they didn’t show us how Caylee died. They didn’t show us a motive. I’m sorry people feel that way. … These were 17 total jurors. They really listened to this case and kept an open mind.”

Ford also had nothing but praise for her fellow jurors:

“They picked a great bunch of people, such high integrity. And there was high morale … We all joked. We are like a big group of cousins.”

She added:

“Everyone wonders why we didn’t speak to the media right away. It was because we were sick to our stomach to get that verdict. We were crying and not just the women. It was emotional and we weren’t ready. We wanted to do it with integrity and not contribute to the sensationalism of the trial.”

But apparently not every juror is a scrupulous as Ford thinks. TMZ has obtained a copy of a letter sent to media outlets today on behalf of an anonymous juror. The publicist writes:

“Our client — a married, college-educated, 33-year-old white male with two young children — is willing to consider granting one or more media interviews so long as the opportunities are paid.”

Though most reputable American news outlets insist they do not pay sources, the juror has reportedly received several offers, including one from a major network, and the offers are in the “mid 5-figures.”

Casey Anthony will be sentenced tomorrow morning for her four misdemeanor convictions and may even be released from jail. But don’t expect the media circus to die down anytime soon, because there are still plenty of people, including Anthony herself, who stand to profit from the case.

Casey Anthony Juror: “Sick To Our Stomachs” Over Not Guilty Verdict [ABC News]
Casey Anthony Juror: Ask Me Anything … For A Price [TMZ]