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Apr 8, 2008 4:18 pm US/Eastern
Deadlocked Jury Leads To Wecht Mistrial
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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A judge declared a mistrial in the federal corruption trial of Dr. Cyril Wecht.
KDKA
After 7 weeks of testimony and jury deliberations entering its third week, the judge has declared a mistrial in the fraud trial of Dr. Cyril Wecht.
The jury, made up of six women and five men, says it is hopelessly deadlocked and cannot reach a unanimous verdict.
Late last week, the jury told U.S. District Judge Arthur Schwab that it was at an impasse after nine days of pouring over the evidence.
Judge Schwab sent the jury back to talk some more but the extra time apparently did nothing to change the jury's mind.
Wecht faced 41 counts of wire fraud, mail fraud and theft from an organization receiving federal funds.
Prosecutors argued Dr. Wecht used the staff and equipment at the Allegheny County Coroner's office to do work for his private pathology practice.
Prosecutors said Dr. Wecht had county employees send invoices and faxes relating to his private practice from the coroner's office on county time.
Wecht was also accused of defrauding his private clients by inflating airfare and charging for limo rides he never took.
The government presented 44 witnesses over 22 days of testimony.
Dr. Wecht's defense rested without calling any witnesses at all… saying the charges were minor administrative issues that didn't rise to the level of federal crimes.
United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan issued the following statement today after the mistrial declaration:
"We are committed to eliminating the culture of corruption that prevails when officials at the highest levels abuse the public trust. Allegations of wrongdoing by public officials can be both challenging to investigate and to prove. A deadlocked jury means only that the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision on the charges presented. The government bears the burden of proving, beyond a reasonable doubt, each element of every count charged."
Meanwhile, Wecht's attorneys say they will go over Buchanan's head directly to U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey in an effort to have the charges dropped.
Wecht will be retried beginning Tuesday May 27.
Stay with KDKA for complete coverage.
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