EXCLUSIVE: Juror explains the 'uncomfortable decision' to acquit woman accused in MU fatal crash

She was acquitted on all six counts in a verdict that produced emotional reactions. The fatal crash happened near the intersection of N. 27th Street and W. St. Paul Avenue, killing 19-year-old Scott Michaud and 20-year-old Noah Snyder.

Scott Michaud and Noah Snyder MU Athletics

"There was pacing, there were tears, everyone was really uncomfortable. And we all agreed when we got down to the end that whatever's happening, it's going to be a completely uncomfortable decision. Walking out to hear the verdict, knowing what was about to unfold, I think we were all pretty sick to our stomachs." -- Anonymous juror

One of the 12 jurors agreed to speak with CBS 58 anonymously about the decision-making process behind the not guilty verdict. The juror emphasized he speaks for himself, not the 12 jurors as a whole.

The four-day trial was "very heavy" and "extremely challenging to sit through and listen to, just because of the sensitivity and just a tragedy of what happened," according to the juror.

Throughout the week, jurors heard from several responding officers, the assistant medical examiner, witnesses in the crash, and crash reconstructionists. The moment that hit the juror and many others in the box with him, he said, was listening to the medical examiner describing the autopsies and causes of deaths for the two young men, especially with family members sitting on the other side of the glass.

What led them to their verdict though, had to do with the wording of the six felony counts she was facing. Each of them had "homicide" at the beginning, and the juror explained they don't think she caused the deaths, instead putting some of the culpability onto the other driver, Peter McColgan.

Peter McColgan MU Athletics

The juror said the "recklessness" of McColgan's driving was top of mind, as during deliberations they asked if they could consider his actions when deciding Brunner's fate. McColgan is also charged in the fatal crash, as he was reportedly driving 53 mph in a zone with a speed limit of 30mph. There were also six people inside the Jeep, which only seated five.

The juror says he felt "sorrow" coming to the decision but stands by acquitting Brunner. "I can say that I'm confident that she contributed to the accident, but I cannot say that she contributed to the death. I believe the recklessness of the other driver .. gunning it through the intersection, in addition to the fact that there are six people sitting in a car made for five I think those two decisions strongly outweigh the driving of Ms. Brunner."

During the trial we heard testimony from the crash reconstructionists and medical examiner detailing the crash had two moments of impact: one when Brunner's Ford hit McColgan's Jeep on the driver's side, and when the Jeep then hit a pole on the rear passenger side. The second impact was reportedly more forceful and was where Michaud and Snyder were sitting. The defense argued, had McColgan not been speeding, the impact would not have been as forceful. The jury ultimately agreed.

Montse Ricossa:

Given that she had a BAC of .133 and had THC in her system, did that play a factor in the decision at all?

Anonymous juror:

That played a strong factor in our discomfort in making the decision. I think knowing there's going to be a not guilty verdict for a driver involved in an accident where there are fatalities and her blood tested the way it did, it made it extremely uncomfortable to come to that decision. But based on the facts and evidence provided to us and the conversations that were had in that room, that's the decision that we came to.

The juror said they would have had an easier time convicting her on lesser charges as "the term 'homicide' is really a strong factor in the decision." Yet he went on to say, "I don't think Amandria Brunner should ever be driving a vehicle again."

The jury deliberated for over six hours, asking to see the video of the crash multiple times, also reviewing black box data showing the speed and location of the cars leading up to the crash. That, along with McColgan's actions, led them to their verdict: "it was an extremely uncomfortable decision to make, but we knew it was the right one, and i stand by it 100%. That being said, my heart goes out just with immense sorrow for the families of these boys involved obviously, and for the Marquette Lacross team and their athletic department and community as a whole."

The jury, after the verdict, found out McColgan too had been charged in the crash. The juror said that "gave us peace" knowing someone can still be held responsible. McColgan's first court date is July 16.

The juror said they also felt a sense of peace knowing Brunner spent the last few months in jail, though no further criminal actions will be taken against her. The victim's families, however, could present a civil case.