Judge Declares Mistrial In Wecht Case; Retrial Set

The public corruption trial of former Allegheny County Coroner Cyril Wecht has ended. US District Judge Arthur Schwab on Tuesday morning declared a mistrial after the jury told him it remained hopelessly deadlocked following 10 days of deliberations. Dr. Wecht was indicted on 41 counts including wire fraud, mail fraud and theft of honest services. Judge Schwab set May 27 for the start of a new trial after AUSA Stephen Stallings announced the government would try the case again; prosecutors have until April 11 to tell Schwab which counts they will pursue. Schwab gave the defense until April 18 to file motions to oppose a retrial and to have the charges dismissed. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.