Apr 28, 2008 8:53 pm US/Eastern
Cyril Wecht Speaks Out After Jurors Come Forward
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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Former Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht is speaking out after five jurors say they were unable to find him guilty during his federal corruption trial.
KDKA
Former Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht is speaking out after five jurors say they were unable to find him guilty during his federal corruption trial.
Jurors Dawn, Bruce, Bob, Kimberly and Linda spoke to KDKA's Marty Griffin on KDKA Radio for three hours.
They said from listening to witnesses and the evidence, they could not find any intent on Wecht's behalf.
According to the jurors who came forward, the vote was 8-3 for acquittal on 27 charges.
The vote was 6-5 guilty on 14 charges. And at one point, all 12 jurors wanted to acquit Dr. Wecht on three charges.
One juror was dismissed with illness, but said he was ready to acquit on all charges.
"Then you've got to ask yourself, if you are an objective prosecutor, 'Where am I going?'," Wecht said.
Dr. Wecht knows prosecutors plan to go after him again, regardless what former jurors say.
"We deprived them of this great victory. We deprived them of moving ahead - another scalp on their belt," he said. "I was supposed to have pled guilty, rolled over, paws up in the air, mea culpa, you know, give up my practice, give up my life and so on - I did not do that."
Wecht admits he's bankrupt - millions of dollars in the hole and says for the first time of his life, he's fearful of the justice system.
"There's no end to it. The FBI, the Department of Justice, there's no end to it Marty," Wecht said. "Their powers are unlimited."
"Senators, governors, congressmen, there may not be a more powerful office in the United States of America than that of U.S. Attorney," he added.
Wecht is scheduled to stand trial again in May.
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