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5 Jurors In Cyril Wecht Trial Speak Out

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Apr 28, 2008 4:12 pm US/Eastern

5 Jurors In Cyril Wecht Trial Speak Out

PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) ― Five jurors in the federal trial of former Allegheny County Coroner Cyril Wecht say most of the jurors favored acquitting Wecht on most of the 41 fraud and theft counts Wecht faces.

A judge declared a mistrial April 8 after the 11-member jury deadlocked.

A new trial is scheduled to begin May 27.

The jurors told KDKA's Marty Griffin this morning that jurors were unanimous for a not guilty verdict on three counts of mail fraud for allegedly overbilling area district attorneys for mileage expenses.

The jury favored convicting Wecht, 6-5, on 14 wire fraud and theft counts.

The jurors say they voted 8-3 in favor of "not guilty" on 24 counts.

The jurors believe Wecht should not be retried on charges he used his former Allegheny County coroner's staff to benefit his private practice.

Reacting to the jurors comments, Judge Arthur Schwab's office released the following statement: "It is inappropriate for the court to speak on matters that are before it."

Schwab issued nothing further.

The office of U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan said she was unavailable for comment.

Stay with KDKA for more details.

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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