Juror Describes Discussion That Prompted Mistrial

One of the twelve jurors in the Keith Griffith murder and arson trial has shared his experience attempting to deliberate a verdict.

The man, who wished not to have his name revealed, told West Kentucky Star he was among those who wanted to convict Griffith because of the evidence against him. He said the first vote they took after they had elected a foreperson revealed the divide that would continue for their six hour discussion, in which eight people wanted to convict and four wanted to acquit.

The juror said everyone expressed their opinion, respected the opinions of others, and no one tried to force anyone else to change their vote just so a consensus could be reached. He said he admired everyone for their ability to discuss the evidence, share their opinions, and stand by their convictions, but he wished the outcome had been different.

This juror felt that the evidence against Griffith was enough to convict, despite some of it being circumstantial.

He said seeing surveillance video of Griffith leaving an Indiana hotel and calculating the drive time to Paducah had to be connected to seeing a vehicle that looked like Griffith's on surveillance video at the right time in his own neighborhood. But two members of the jury would not be persuaded that Griffith could make the entire round trip without needing to refuel his SUV, and detectives found no receipts or surveillance video of Griffith buying gasoline.

He said another juror would not convict without the .45-caliber weapon as evidence. Griffith's wife Julie was shot multiple times before the home was set on fire. Boxes of .45-caliber ammo were found in the home, but no gun.

The jury asked Circuit Judge Tim Kaltenbach for clarification, asking if circumstantial and direct evidence carried the same weight in the case. Kaltenbach could not offer help, saying the jury had to determine that on their own. The juror who spoke to West Kentucky Star said if the judge had said they were equal, the fourth person who voted to acquit might have switched sides, but it would not have mattered with three others dissenting.

None of the jurors spoke to members of the media after the mistrial was declared, this juror said they were all very tired from two weeks of listening to evidence and deliberating. He spoke to West Kentucky Star after getting a good night's sleep.