Jackson Juror Files Lawsuit

Wants Out Of Book Publishing Contract, Regrets Not Guilty Vote

(AP)  A juror in the Michael Jackson case who said last month that he believed the pop star was guilty of molesting his 15-year-old accuser has filed a lawsuit to get out of a book publishing contract.

Ray Hultman said as he began publicizing his book deal that he regretted finding Jackson not guilty in the June verdict. He and juror Eleanor Cook told MSNBC they went along with the other panelists because the jury foreman threatened to have them removed.

In the suit, Hultman and his wife, Darlene, claim they were suckered into signing a book deal with publisher Larry Garrison, owner of the Lake Sherwood-based SilverCreek Entertainment.

Hultman wants out of his contract and is seeking unspecified damages for mental and emotional stress.

In August, two jurors were said to be writing books. At the same time, the New York Daily News reported that the books would say at least three members of the panel first thought Jackson was guilty -- before changing their minds and acquitting the pop star on all charges last June.

An executive with an entertainment company was quoted as saying the title of one of the books about the Jackson trial will be: "Guilty as Sin, Free as a Bird."

The books promised an insider's look at what went on behind the scenes at the trial.

A jury acquitted Jackson on June 13 of four counts of child molestation, four counts of administering alcohol to a minor to commit a felony, one count of attempted molestation and one count of conspiracy.