Casey Anthony prosecutor talks about case, new book in Volusia NEW SNIPS Daytona Beach News Journal

Snip's

DAYTONA BEACH -- The fact that Casey Anthony gained an acquittal in her highly publicized murder trial was "like a blind man that stumbled on a pot of gold."

"It's stupid, but it happens," Jeff Ashton told a packed crowd of supporters Tuesday during a book signing at the DeLand Regional Library.

Ashton, one of the prosecutors in her case, is on the road, touring to promote a new book he co-authored about the case that made Anthony and defense lawyer Jose Baez household names.

"What a cast of characters," Ashton said.

Peals of laughter rang out among the 86 people who came out for the man on the losing side of Florida's effort to convict Anthony, 25, of killing her 2-year-old daughter.
Fielding questions for about an hour Tuesday, Ashton was often critical of both Baez and Anthony.

"We thought that you did a marvelous job," Jim Elmore, 86, of DeLand said to Ashton. "Did you ever see anyone who could lie like (Anthony) does?"

"No," Ashton answered. "She is amazing. If it wasn't such an evil talent, I would even admire her."

The crowd cheered.

"I've never seen anyone as talented as she is," Ashton added. "If she ever writes a book, it should be fiction."

Even though he respects the work of defense lawyers, Ashton said he would never have defended Anthony.

"I wouldn't do it," he said.

He was also critical of the jury that decided to acquit Anthony of murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter of a child. He said in considering a case based on circumstantial evidence, the jury held the state to a burden higher than the law requires.

"This was a jury that interpreted reasonable doubt to mean virtually no doubt," Ashton said.

The prosecution team, he said, would have preferred a panel with "more jurors with a higher education."

"We were not enthusiastic about them," he said. "They were the best we could get."

Other questions focused on the effect of media coverage and evidence that was not allowed to be considered, including statements Anthony made to her psychiatrists.

"It was excellent," said Patti Branch, who came all the way from Eastman, Ga., driving for six hours to meet Ashton. "He was so down to earth."

Elmore said he and his wife, Ruth, had been "glued to the television" during the six-week trial. "This was a great gathering," he said. "Jeff reinforced everything we thought while watching that trial. We got an education on how our legal system works."

Ashton also appeared Tuesday night at the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library. All 150 seats for that appearance were reserved.

Later in the week, he'll travel to Vero and Clearwater.

Pausing from signing copies of the book in DeLand, Ashton said he has not yet been confronted by anyone critical of his prosecution efforts at a book signing.

"Not even one," he said. "Everyone has been really nice."

MORE: The Casey Anthony Trial: Key players, the verdict, a timeline and more

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