First a trademark t-shirt. Now a book deal. A former juror on the Michael Jackson trial is set to release a book.

Action News reporter Carina Corral talked with the outspoken juror about putting her thoughts on paper.

Elanor Cook is one of 12 jurors who acquitted Michael Jackson of all charges, including child molestation.

“I didn’t think he was guilty of molestation,” says Cook. “Well, I thought he was, but they didn’t prove it.”

The Santa Maria resident is set to release a book sometime next year, tentatively called Guilty as Sin, Free as a Bird.

While she won’t go into details about the book, she does say she wants people to know what goes on behind closed doors.

She’s also hoping to change a law in Santa Barbara County in terms of serving on a jury.

“I think people over 65 should have the choice whether they want to or not,” says Cook. “I was 79 at the time and I was too old to be on the trial in the first place.”

At least one of her fellow jurors questions Cook’s motives.

“I don’t believe anything she says,” says former Jackson trial juror Mike Stevens. “I have no respect for her.”

Stevens thinks Cook is just trying to make money off of the trial. He’s also upset about statements made by Cook shortly after the trials alleging she was forced into agreeing with the other jurors on a “not guilty” verdict.

“We all agreed he wasn’t guilty of anything,” says Stevens. “If she does come out with this, then we might have to come back with something else.”

In response to criticism that she’s trying to capitalise on her jury services, Cook says she’s not going to make money off of the book deal because half the proceeds from it will go toward her church.

Category: General