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Feb 6, 2008 9:39 pm US/Eastern
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Wecht Trial Testimony Focused On Emails, Letters
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
Testimony in the federal corruption trial of former Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht focused on emails and letters sent from the coroner's office - specifically on whether they were sent to further his political career and private business ventures.
Cathy McCabe was a county employee but ended up writing a number of private letters and emails as Wecht's administrative assistant. Some of them involved political campaigns, according to her testimony.
In 1999, Republican Jim Roddey ran for the first-ever Allegheny County Chief Executive position against Wecht. Wecht lost and communications thanking supporters were typed on county time.
McCabe testified that political letters during an earlier race on "Wecht for Coroner" stationary were typed by her on county time at the coroner's office.
Prosecutors also pointed to letters and emails sent to attorneys in high-profile cases involving Wecht's private pathology business for consultations in the Michael Jackson molestation case, Lacey Peterson case and the case of actor Robert Blake who was accused in the death of his wife.
According to her testimony, McCabe said she often communicated Wecht's $5,000 consultation fee to lawyers in cases like those.
Prosecutors told the judge on Wednesday they plan to bring a number of witnesses in from out of town tomorrow as they continue their case.
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