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Apr 3, 2008 8:40 pm US/Eastern
Jury Deadlocked In Wecht Trial
Deliberations to resume Monday
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) ―
After nine days of deliberations, the jury in the fraud trial of former Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht has told the judge that they are deadlocked.
KDKA's Harold Hayes reports from court that the jury has now asked the judge if they can recess until Monday and he has given his approval for deliberations to resume then.
In a letter to the judge, the jury said, "After considering all counts in a variety of ways and reconsideration of all individual opinions, according to the court's instructions, we have unanimously agreed we have reached an impasse and respectfully request direction from the court."
After the jury said they were deadlocked, U.S. District Judge Arthur Schwab gave the jury brief instructions about being deadlocked and asked them to continue deliberating. This is the first time they continued deliberating past 2 p.m.
The judge has let the jury set their own schedule for deliberations, Monday through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
On Wednesday, the defense filed a motion to stop deliberations after a juror was dismissed earlier this week due to illness. The judge has not yet officially ruled on that motion, and deliberations are continuing until that happens.
Doctors admitted that juror to the hospital on Tuesday.
The juror asked the judge to excuse him from the jury on Wednesday. But the defense filed a motion saying they wanted deliberations halted until the man recovers to see if he could continue on with the case.
KDKA's Harold Hayes also reports from court that this morning the jury requested to see an expense report for a specific fraud count.
Wecht is accused of using the Allegheny County Coroner's office to benefit his private practice.
Stay with KDKA for the latest developments.
(© 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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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