Apr 8, 2008 11:59 pm US/Eastern
Wecht Criticizes US Attorney, Vows To Fight
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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Dr. Cyril Wecht speaks to a NY Times reporter by telephone after a judge declared a mistrial in his federal corruption trial.
KDKA
Former Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht is calling his prosecution for alleged public corruption a "travesty of justice."
After seven weeks of testimony and 11 days of jury deliberations, a verdict couldn't be reached and a judge declared a mistrial.
Prosecutors are saying they're ready to start over with a new jury, but Wecht is fighting back, ripping into the US Attorney's office.
He claims Mary Beth Buchanan wasted about $10 million to go after him.
"You're talking in the millions and millions of dollars - that's what it has cost the taxpayers of the United States of America and specifically the taxpayers of Western Pennsylvania," he said. "People got to think, 'is this money being properly spent?'"
Wecht claims his prosecution was politically-motivated - an effort by the Republican US Attorney to go after local Democrats and he says the case has left him broke.
Martino: "This has had to cost you a tremendous amount of money."
Wecht: "Yes, a lot of money."
Martino: "May I ask how much?"
Wecht: "Well, more than I have."
Martino: "Millions?"
Wecht: "Yes."
Martino: "You're in debt?"
Wecht: "Yes, greatly."
With millions of dollars spent on the prosecution and defense in this trial, Wecht says there's no way it's worth it.
"Are we dealing with terrorism? Are we dealing with organized child pornography? Are we dealing with Enron-type scandals? Are we dealing with John Gotti and his mafia pals?," Wecht questioned.
Buchanan was unable to be reached for a response, but in the past, she has vehemently denied that prosecutions brought by her office are politically-motivated.
In a statement released earlier today, Buchanan said, "Allegations of wrong-doing by public officials can be both challenging to investigate and prove."
A new trial is scheduled to begin May 27, but Wecht plans to fight it.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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