LOS ANGELES – Angry Michael Jackson jurors said yesterday they are “stunned” that two panel members now say the singer should have been found guilty of molesting a boy.
The jurors were reacting to the statements by former colleagues Eleanor Cook, 79, and Ray Hultman, 62. Both are considering writing books about their time on the jury.
“They’ve really changed their tune,” said juror Susan Rentschler. “I don’t know about Ray, but I think Elly wants attention and she’s trying to sell a book.”
“They’ve become traitors,” said Michael Stevens, a 21-year-old student.
Several jurors scoffed at Cook’s claim that she was “intimidated” into voting with the majority.
“I’m stunned. … It’s ridiculous. If you think anyone could tell Elly what to do, then you don’t know Elly,” said another 50-year-old female juror, who did not want her name published.
Rentschler, 51, said their first vote was six not guilty, three undecided and three for guilty: Cook, Hultman and an Asian woman. “It was not a done deal, by any means,” she said.
“Ray actually came over to the ‘not guilty’ side pretty early on. He realized that he could not convict Michael Jackson on his personal feelings alone,” said Rentschler.
