Judge Belvin Perry, who presided over the trial of Casey Anthony, said on Monday's "Today" show that he believed there was enough evidence to convict her, the Associated Press reported. Anthony was acquitted of murdering her 2-year-old daughter.
Judge Perry said he thought there was sufficient evidence for a conviction on a first-degree murder charge, even though much of the evidence was circumstantial.
When he read the jury's verdict, he felt "surprise, shock, disbelief" and read it twice.
Anthony was acquitted almost two years ago of killing her daughter, Caylee, following a trial that attracted worldwide attention. She was convicted of making false statements to police and got credit for time served.
"I just wanted to be sure I was reading what I was reading," Perry said.
As an impartial judge, he looked both sides of the case.
"There were always two sides to Casey," Perry said. "The public persona that she wanted the jury to see and there was a side that she showed when the jury wasn't there."
"He came across as someone you would like," Perry said of Baez. "Like someone trying to sell a used car. Who are you going to buy from? The most likable salesman."
The judge also said he thought justice had been served with a jury verdict.
"Justice will finally be served one day by the Judge of Judges," Perry said. "She is going to have to live with this and deal with this for the rest of her life."
