More Wecht Weirdness: Prosecutor May Use Out-Of-Town Jury

In yet another bizarre move, AUSA Stephen Stallings suggested in a court filing on Tuesday that the government may seek to empanel a jury of outsiders in the retrial of former Allegheny County Coroner Cyril Wecht. It was not a formal request, but Stallings said the government would accept a trial delay “if such a continuance were to become necessary to empanel a jury untainted by defendant’s unethical media campaign.” That’s right, the prosecution is complaining about prejudicial coverage (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review).

On Wednesday US District Judge Arthur Schwab refused to delay the retrial, scheduled for May 27, and refused to recuse himself. Lawyers for Wecht will appeal (Post-Gazette).