Please tell me that is a bad joke.
Judge Belvin Perry Jr. refused to release their names, which was highly unusual. Identities of jurors normally are public record after the conclusion of a trial – no matter if it is high profile or not.
Attorneys representing The Tampa Tribune and four other media organizations filed a motion with the court late last week for access to the names of jurors once the case concluded. The judge has scheduled a hearing Thursday to decide the issue.
Gregg Thomas, the Tribune’s attorney, said it’s highly unusual for a Florida judge to keep jurors’ names secret.
“The names are public record,’’ Thomas said. “The names should be released immediately. We shouldn’t have secret juries in Florida.’’
The five alternate jurors were asked if they wanted to be the focus of a post-verdict news conference, and all of them declined as well. Two of them, however – No. 14, Russell Huekler, and No. 16, Dean Edward Eckstadt — did consent to releasing their names.
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The Anthony family statement said, “Despite the baseless defense chosen by Casey Anthony, the family believes that the jury made a fair decision based on the evidence presented, the testimony presented, the scientific information presented and the rules that were given to them” by the judge.
The Anthonys asked for privacy “to reflect on this verdict and decide the best way to move forward.” They asked that well-wishers hoping to donate stuffed animals or toys near their home donate those items instead in Caylee’s name to “families in need, religious centers or any other entity where the toys would be appreciated.”
http://www.wmur.com/r/28445006/detail.html