Michael Jackson's lawyer has hit back at the jurors

Aug 10, 2005, 11:27 GMT

Michael Jackson's lawyer has hit back at the two jurors in the star's sex abuse case who say they fear they let a "paedophile" go free.

Lawyer Thomas Mesereau claims he is "suspicious" of Eleanor Cook and Ray Hultman for changing their mind just weeks after the four-month trial.

The pair - who are both writing books on the trial - have alleged they were pressured into acquitting the superstar by 10 of the other jurors.

But Mesereau said the pair were only interested in self-promotion, adding: "Twelve people deliberated and out of that process justice is supposed to result.

"Now, two months later, these jurors are changing their tunes. They clearly like being on TV."

Earlier this week, Cook, 79, retorted when asked by MSNBC host Rita Cosby if the other jurors would be angry with their claims: "They can be as angry as they want to. They ought to be ashamed. They're the ones that let a paedophile go.

"I just really think Jackson is a danger to young boys."

Meanwhile, Hultman, 62, said the star-struck jurors refused to look at the evidence properly, saying: "People just wouldn't take those blinders off to really look at all the evidence that was there."

The pair are also working on a combined television movie about the case with producer Larry Garrison.

Jackson was cleared of all charges against him during his recent child abuse trial.

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