Casey Anthony Verdict: "Anything can happen" with a jury, says prosecutor
(CBS/AP) ORLANDO, Fla. - Casey Anthony lead prosecutor Jeff Ashton, who plans to announce his retirement at the end of the week, told the women on ABC's The View "anything can happen" when you are dealing with a jury.
Pictures: Casey and Caylee Anthony, Personal Photos
Ashton, 53, said he was shocked when he heard the verdict.
"I think I mouthed 'Wow' about five times," Ashton said.
He also said that while things didn't go the way he wanted them to, "If you believe in the rule of law, you have to believe in juries."
On Tuesday, Casey Anthony was found not guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter in the death of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee. Anthony was found guilty of four lesser charges of providing false information to a law enforcement officer, but is unlikely, say legal experts, to serve any additional time in jail.
"It all came down to the evidence, and you can't manufacture evidence," Ashton said on the show. "We put on every piece of evidence that was admissible."
When Ashton was asked about pursuing a lesser charge, he stated, "This was a first-degree murder."
Ashton told the View that he and his team were prepared with a "long list" of questions for Casey Anthony had she decided to take the stand.
Though Ashton and lead defense attorney Jose Baez didn't seem to get along during trial, he complimented Baez saying he did "a very good job" for a relatively inexperience attorney.
"The proof is in the pudding," said Ashton, speaking of the favorable verdict Anthony received.
Spokeswoman Danielle Tavernier previously said Ashton notified state attorney Lawson Lamar of his decision to retire, which they had previously discussed.
Ashton affirmed, telling The View that he had planned on retiring regardless of the verdict.
Anthony has been in jail since her October 2008 arrest on first-degree murder charges. She avoided a possible death sentence thanks to her acquittal on the murder count. The case began in July 2008 when Caylee Anthony was reported missing.
48 Hours Mystery's special on the verdict, Casey Anthony: Judgment Day