Judge rules on jurors in fraud case

Both sides in the ex-coroner’s trial will know the names of some potential jurors.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A federal judge has relented and will let attorneys for both sides have the names and addresses of some potential jurors in the upcoming fraud trial of former Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht.

U.S. District Judge Arthur Schwab ruled Friday that prosecutors and defense attorneys will get the names and addresses of the final 40 jurors in the 400-member pool, but the attorneys will have to file sworn statements that they will not leak that information to news organizations.

Schwab had previously ruled that jurors in Wecht’s trial in January would remain anonymous, prompting objections from Wecht’s attorneys and the Pittsburgh-area media. Federal prosecutors had not asked for an anonymous jury but defended the decision in motions, arguing that anonymity might be necessary to keep Wecht from trying to threaten or influence jurors with lawsuits or ridicule.

Wecht’s attorneys have said those allegations were baseless and were made solely in an effort to taint potential jurors. Defense attorneys had argued that they needed to know the names to help them weed out potential jurors with potential conflicts of interest, such as connections to murder and other investigations in which Wecht has been an expert witness or consultant.

Publishing such information would “undoubtedly” increase the risk that jurors might not remain unbiased and focused on the case, Schwab said. Publicizing juror identities could lead people with an interest in the case — but not Wecht or his defense team, Schwab noted — to contact the jurors “in an attempt to either hurt or bolster” the case against Wecht, he said.

Wecht is accused of using his public office and staff for private gain before his resignation from the county, which was prompted by the 84-count fraud and theft indictment. Wecht’s trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 28.