Joe Francis 'Retarded': 'Girls Gone Wild' Creator Calls Jury 'Retarded,' Says They 'Should Be Shot Dead'

Joe Francis, creator of "Girls Gone Wild," openly criticized and mocked the jury that convicted him of assault among other charges.

In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter for its May 31 issue, Francis called the jury "mentally f---ing retarded," and claimed that they "should be all lined up and shot."

He told reporters that he had only been convicted due to the fact that he did not show up to court in one instance and questioned the intelligence of the jury.

"I want that jury to know that each and every one of you are mentally f---ing retarded and you should be euthanised because, as Darwin said, you have naturally selected yourself," he said. "You are the weakest members of the herd. Goodbye! And if that jury wants to convict me because I didn't show up, which is the only reason why they did, then, you know, they should all be lined up and shot!"

After a two-week trial, a jury convicted Francis of three counts false imprisonment and one count assault causing bodily injury, all misdemeanors, May 6.

Francis is reported to have met three women celebrating a college graduation at the Supper Club in Hollywood on January 29, 2011. He is said to have taken one by the hand and the other two followed thinking he was giving them a ride to their car, the Daily Mail reported.

The women claimed that he did not allow them to leave his home for hours, and grabbed one by the throat and hair when a fight broke out between them, then allegedly followed up by slamming her head into the tile floor.

Francis also blamed jealousy as a reason for his conviction.

"You know why I've been criticised, why I've been brutalised?" he said. "Anybody who criticises me, anybody who -- it's just a jealous guy. Everybody who says, 'Oh, Joe Francis is this' -- look at their penis and tell me if it's small. Tell me!"

Francis reportedly has a history of breaking the law, having been sued by Steve Wynn -- a Las Vegas mogul -- for defamation and owes him $20 million, indicted for tax evasion on a company affiliated with GGW, filming underaged girls and being banned from the company's Santa Monica offices.

He will be sentenced in July for his recent brush with the law and could face up to five years in prison.

Following the interview, Francis issued an apology for his comments -- which he called "appalling" -- stating that he was not represented in a fair light, Salon reported.

"I deeply regret the remarks attributed to me in the interview with the Hollywood Reporter. They were hurtful and do not reflect my true feelings," the apology read. "While I disagree with the jury's verdict as I am completely innocent of the charges and intend to appeal, I was afforded a fair trial, and if I lose at the appellate level, I will reluctantly but fully accept the jury's verdict."