FBI Calls Deadlocked Jurors After Wecht Mistrial

PITTSBURGH -- Two jurors in ex-Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht's federal trial, which ended in a mistrial this week, say that investigators want to talk with them.

The jury foreman and a second member of the jury told WTAE Channel 4's news exchange partner, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, that the FBI called them this week and asked for interviews.

"All of this is horrendous," Wecht told Channel 4 Action News on Friday.

"They're paid to investigate crime," said Wecht's defense attorney, Jerry McDevitt. "What crime are they investigating?"

Margaret Philbin, a representative for U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan, said the FBI was simply setting up appointments so prosecutors could discuss the case with the jurors.

She said it's "commonplace for prosecuting attorneys and the investigating agency -- in this case, the FBI -- to participate in the post-verdict discussion with the jurors."

Wecht's attorney did not dispute Philbin's statement, but he said calling the former jurors at home was invasive.

"People have all kinds of things going on in their lives. It's inherently intimidating," McDevitt said.

Prosecutors should have put in a request to interview the jury on Tuesday -- the day that the mistrial was declared -- but they were in a haste to state their immediate request for a retrial, McDevitt said.

"They should have said, 'We'd like to have some time to think about it, and perhaps we'll talk to the jury,'" he said.

Prosecutors say the jurors were sent home too quickly, not giving them a chance to conduct interviews.

Wecht is charged with a 41-count indictment -- mostly wire and mail fraud -- for allegedly using his coroner's office and resources to benefit his private pathology practice.

U.S. District Judge Arthur Schwab scheduled a new trial for May 27.

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