LOS ANGELES -- .The rumor of a delayed verdict in the Painseeker Murder Trial proved to be true after all.

Continuing their deliberations on Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, the jury in the first-degree murder trial of Laura Douglass waited all of 30 minutes before informing Judge Michael Rodriguez they had reached a verdict.

Once in court, the jury announced that they had found Douglass not guilty of the brutal slaying of best friend and recording artist Raychel Wagner.  After suffering through eight months of incarceration, Douglass was understandably dazed at the result and had to be helped down to her seat to prevent her from passing out entirely.

Following the announcement of the verdict, and the release of Douglass from police custody, the jury took questions from the assembled press.  During their session, the jury admonished the LAPD for their efforts in the case.

"In the end, the police work in the case couldn't allow us to convict her, " said juror David Star, a bartender at a downtown club.  "Without a murder weapon -- or even fingerprints inside the apartment -- we just couldn't do it.  I'm angry about this because I think she had all the reason in the world to do it."

Fellow juror Tanya Richards held a slightly different opinion, "I don't even know why they charged her, really.  So she lied to the police to protect herself.  Who wouldn't?  After that we were supposed to believe that she murdered her best friend over a relationship that she set up to happen in the first place?  And on top of it, the relationship between [Raychel Wagner and Ken Kincaid] was over nine months before the murder?  No way!"

"I know why they charged Ms. Douglass, " explained juror Margaret Nicks, "The police think they have the bodyguard [Sharon Wolfe] but she doesn't have a motive. . . At least one that was mentioned to us.  Laura had a motive, but she didn't leave any evidence.  The police needed to try the two of them together, since they both lied to police.  Why they did what they did, I don't know."

"Still, " she added, "I'd hate to have to be the one defending Sharon Wolfe in court."

Assistant District Attorney Thomas Andrews denied that his case against Sharon Wolfe had been weakened by the acquittal of Douglass.

"It's the same crime, but our approach is entirely different, " replied Andrews, "Sharon Wolfe was in that room.  We know that.  She lied to the police about her whereabouts, and Laura Douglass has admitted that she did not see Sharon Wolfe at the scene of the crime.  Those are the basics of our case, and it is strong."

Flanked by defense attorney Les Levin and her close friend Ken Kincaid, Laura Douglass did not answer questions as she left the court house.  However, Levin did stop to make a brief statement on behalf of his client in which she wished to thank those who supported her during her ordeal, and her gratitude to Sharon Wolfe for testifying on her behalf.

When asked if she considered the case closed, Levin said, "No, she doesn't.  There's still a murderer out there.  Laura is focused on getting her life back and ensuring that Raychel Wagner's killer is brought to justice."