New York ? The author of a letter that contributed to the mistrial in the Tyco case told police he thought a mistrial already had been declared when he wrote it, a police official told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The signed letter expressed anger at juror Ruth Jordan for appearing to favor the acquittal of two executives charged with looting Tyco International. The juror also received a phone call, perceived as intimidating, that police believe was from someone other than the letter writer.

The communications prompted Justice Michael Obus to declare a mistrial Friday in the six-month case after 11 days of deliberations, citing outside influences on the jury.

The signed letter was sent last week to Jordan, 79, who had been identified during the trial by some news organizations.

The letter “was signed by a person who thought there was already a mistrial and was complaining to her about it,” said the police official, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

The official, who had been briefed on the investigation, said the letter was not threatening.

“It wasn’t a death threat,” the police official said. “It probably doesn’t rise to the level where there would be a prosecution, but that’s the DA’s call.” Among the potential charges could be jury tampering.

The letter writer’s claim was first reported Tuesday by The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.

The letter is under court seal. On Monday, news organizations asked the Tyco judge to release sealed transcripts and other materials from the proceedings that led to the mistrial.

Ruth Jordan, juror No. 4 in the Tyco corporate corruption trial, arrives at her home in New York. She was escorted Friday by police. A letter expressing anger at Jordan led to a mistrial in the Tyco case.

Another police official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed Tuesday that the letter was mailed from Massachusetts and that officers had gone there to talk to the writer.

There was no immediate response from Jordan. An answering machine at her home was full and would not take a message. She has refused to comment except for saying media portrayals of her have been unfair.