Lugo inks his thanks to jurors

HOUSTON - Devil Rays shortstop Julio Lugo signed autographs for jurors in his misdemeanor assault trial after they acquitted him last week.

Mabely Lugo, who accused her husband of striking her, changed her story during testimony from statements she made to authorities. She told jurors that she exaggerated and that her husband did not mean to hit her during an argument outside Minute Maid Park before a game with the Braves on April 30.

Mabely Lugo's complaint to police about her husband landed him in jail after the game.

Julio Lugo, who played for the Astros at the time, was released days later.

His attorney, Chris Tritico, told the Houston Chronicle in Monday's editions that when Lugo went back to thank the jury, he was asked for autographs by some jurors.

Tritico said Lugo also offered to autograph baseballs and send them to the jurors.

Prosecutor Catherine Evans called the scene "slightly surreal" but declined to comment on whether the jurors were blinded by fame.

Tritico said it is not uncommon for a person who is acquitted to thank the jury afterward.

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