Jeff Ashton Considering Run For State Attorney/He is NOT running for State Attorney but has taken a new job. Please Read Below.

Sources: Casey Anthony Prosecutor Considering Run Against Former Boss

POSTED: 4:01 pm EDT September 27, 2011
UPDATED: 4:48 pm EDT September 27, 2011

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A familiar face from the Casey Anthony trial may run for office.

Several sources tell WESH 2 News that Jeff Ashton is considering a run for state attorney in the 2012 election against his former boss, Lawson Lamar.

Ashton made his decision to retire public shortly after Anthony was found not guilty of the most serious charges in connection to her daughter's death. She was found guilty of four counts of lying to law enforcement officers.

Ashton said he had made the decision to retire months before the trial, but decided to keep the decision private until its conclusion.

Despite Anthony's acquittal, University of Central Florida political science professor Aubrey Jewett said Ashton's positives would outweigh the negatives if he decides to run.

"He's already gotten a lot of free publicity. That's what you need in a local race -- people who know who you are," he said.

Ashton's book, "Imperfect Justice: Prosecuting Casey Anthony," is scheduled to be released in November.

WESH 2 News Report

Ashton told WESH 2 News by text message he "may have some word" on whether he'll run after the book is completed later this week.

"It would not surprise me at all if (Ashton) decided to throw his hat in the ring," Jewett said.

One of Ashton's former colleagues told WESH 2 News that Ashton is "a pretty independent guy" and that the timing of a run would be perfect.

Ashton was the first prosecutor to get a conviction based on DNA evidence. Ashton used DNA evidence in a 1987 rape case for the first time in a courtroom.

In the Anthony case, Ashton successfully argued to introduce science as evidence that hadn't been used in a Florida trial before, including post-mortem death banding.

Lamar was first elected as the state attorney for the 9th Judicial Circuit of Florida in 1988. The 9th Circuit serves both Orange and Osceola counties. Lamar often ran unopposed.

Prior to his election, Lamar served as Orange County Sheriff for two years. He also served as a prosecutor and chief assistant state attorney for the 9th Circuit.

Florida's elections office shows two declared candidates for the 9th Circuit state attorney race in 2012 right now -- one is Lamar, the other is Matthew Ryan Williams, a former prosecutor.

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Well that would explain him retiring at his young age. I hope he doesn't use up all of his "book profits" on the election.

Honestly I don't think he has a snowballs chance in hell of winning.

Politics are a dirty business. It's not what you know..but who you know and how much money you have.

IDK about that. I think he just might.

I would vote for him! Run JA run!

Why retire then take a job like that? I don't think he will even run. Jeff will write his book and ride out the rest of his life in peace. Can you imagine the scum he has had to deal with all those years?

POSTED: 1:44 pm EDT October 31, 2011
UPDATED: 2:23 pm EDT October 31, 2011

MAITLAND, Fla. -- Former Casey Anthony prosecutor Jeff Ashton has joined a law firm in Maitland.

Ashton has joined the law firm of Troum and Walsh.

Officials at the law firm said Ashton will specialize in forensic scientific evidence for criminal defense and civil law.

The announcement ended widespread speculation that Ashton was considering a run for state attorney against his former boss Lawson Lamar.

Ashton's book about the Casey Anthony case is scheduled to be released in November.

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