More Wecht Jurors Speak Out; Judge Denies Dismissal Motion

Five jurors from the mistrial of former Allegheny County Coroner Cyril Wecht held a news conference on Monday to speak about the trial and its aftermath (WTAE-TV raw video here). The bottom line: they believe the prosecution was politically motivated; they were disturbed by the actions of lead FBI investigator Brad Orsini; they felt demeaned when prosecutors immediately requested and Judge Schwab granted a retrial without even polling them and before they were even dismissed; they were treated well during the trial by Judge Schwab but felt he was biased against the defense; and they are opposed to a retrial (WTAE-TV text), Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).

On Tuesday Judge Schwab denied the defense’s motion for dismissal on double jeopardy grounds and refused to delay the retrial, which is scheduled for May 27 (Post-Gazette). Wecht’s attorneys immediately appealed that ruling to the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and filed another motion asking Schwab to delay the retrial until the Third Circuit rules (Philly Inquirer).