Renowned Medical Examiner Dr. Cyril Wecht Questions Politics in Indictment by GOP U.S. Attorney

Source: NYT/AP

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 4, 2007

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- A nationally renowned medical examiner has asked a federal judge to determine whether an 84-count indictment against him was politically motivated.

Congressional Democrats have spotlighted former Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht's prosecution on charges of theft, mail fraud and wire fraud as part of a broad investigation into White House interference with Justice Department activities. After months of questioning whether the Bush administration fired nine U.S. attorneys who were not ''loyal Bushies,'' Democrats said the cases provide strong evidence that some government lawyers may have done the White House's bidding.

In a motion submitted late Friday, attorneys for Wecht asked U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab to rule on whether Republican U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan targeted Wecht because he is a Democrat....

Wecht, 75, has been accused of using his county staff to do work for his private multimillion-dollar pathology practice. The coroner, whose cases have included the death of Elvis Presley, resigned in January after being indicted by a federal grand jury.

Wecht's attorneys and other supporters have accused Buchanan of going after Democrats since she assumed her post in 2001 while ignoring allegations of wrongdoing against fellow Republicans....The motion gives a lengthy summary of the congressional investigations. It also provides a list of the U.S. Justice Department staff members who have resigned since the stories about the firings broke....

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Coroner-Indicted.html

:kick:

There were lots of US Attorneys who were not fired.
What did they do to stay in office?
How many were persecuted and unjustly prosecuted because of their political affiliation?
I can't believe there are Americans who think this is OK as long as it is done by Republicans. That is one of the most un-American things I can think of.

or praise for a Democrat now can they. I wish I could recommend twice.

I knew this guy when I lived in Pittsburgh and he is as right wing as they come. He's been wanting to take any Democrat down for years. If it comes between integrity and what his Federalist Society pals want, Schwab will rule the way Bush wants. There is NO WAY Schwab will allow Wecht to have a fair trial.

Why no investigation of Dr. Michael Berkland in the death of Lori Klausutis, an aide to Joe Scarborough when he was a Republican Congressman in Florida? Berkland lost his license in two separate states (Missouri and Florida) because he LIED about his autopsy work. There are inconsistencies and unanswered questions about Lori Klausutis' death in Rep. Scarborough's office, but no indictments have been issued. Gary Condit (California Democrat) + Chandra Levy = Big Deal; Joe Scarborough (Florida Republican) + Lori Klausutis = wha? who? nevermind

He is really a slime.

this same thought occurs to me. Something very strange happened that so far has been given a pass.

Lots of 28 year old marathon runners fall down dead by hitting a desk
on their way to the floor with no hidden heart problems.


As far as selective prosecution by the DoJ see Gov. Don Siegelman of Alabama.

And we all know what the penalty for treason is.

Then on to Bush and all his other minions in the administration.

on shows such as Larry King, giving his professional opinion on various crimes.

He's the guy who said Steve Kangas committed suicide almost right outside Scaife's office.

Mary Beth Buchanan

Our U.S. attorney should resign
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07079/770820-109.stm">Mary Beth Buchanan has pursued the partisan priorities of the Bush administration