Casey Anthony judge won't release jurors' names till "cooling off" period over
(CBS/WKMG) ORLANDO, Fla. - After discussing at length the safety of jurors in the Casey Anthony murder trial, Judge Belvin Perry said he will likely reluctantly release their names after a cooling off period.
Pictures: Casey and Caylee Anthony, Personal Photos
Attorneys for media organizations argued Thursday afternoon that the identities of the jurors should be released to the public, reports CBS affiliate WKMG.
Perry said he is concerned for the privacy and the safety of the jurors.
In late June, Perry entered an order barring the release of the jurors' names "until further order of this court," according to the Orlando Sentinel.
The jurors were asked by court administration to appear in front of reporters after their verdicts Tuesday, but all 12 jurors decided not to take part in the question-and-answer session, due to their controversial verdict of acquitting Anthony of all of her major charges.
"The best I feel I can do, legally, is a cooling off period. At the end of that period, release the names," Perry said, reports the station. "The nonlegal side of me really feels for these individuals who simply wanted to do their civic duty and maybe foolishly listened to me when I called upon them and encouraged them about a thing called a right to a trial by jury."
It is not clear how long the period will be, but some have suggested 7-10 days before he releases the names, reports the Sentinel.
Perry then went into a long talk about irresponsible journalism and how real news programming varies from what he called "reality news."
"At some point in this society we have to determine what real journalism is," Perry said, reports the station.
Three jurors have voluntarily come forward to discuss the case with the media.
Anthony was sentenced Thursday to four years in prison for lying to police, but with credit for time served and good behavior she will remain in jail only till next Wednesday. She has been in jail since October 2008.
On Tuesday, Anthony was acquitted on first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter charges in the death of her daughter, Caylee.