U.S. inquires into Wecht's activities (Schindler's ME dishonest?)

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | 3/25/2005 | Jonathan D. Silver

[RGSpincich]

U.S. inquires into Wecht's activities Friday, March 25, 2005

By Jonathan D. Silver, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Federal authorities are investigating Dr. Cyril H. Wecht's activities as Allegheny County coroner, Wecht's attorney said yesterday.

-snip-

Last month it was disclosed that Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. had launched a criminal investigation of Wecht. The probe concerns $5,000 paid to Wecht by a law firm representing a man killed in 2002 in a scuffle with police in Mount Oliver.

-snip-

"There is evidence that the coroner is using his public office for personal, pecuniary gain," Zappala said last month.

-snip-

Wecht in 1993 paid a $200,000 civil settlement stemming from allegations that he improperly used his public office for private gain. He was tried and cleared in criminal court in 1981 on a charge of theft of services.

[RGSpincich]

Here's an update on the medical examiner who was going to oversee the autopsy of Terri Schiavo for the Schindlers.

[SubMareener]

Are we sure this is the same guy? When did he move from Pittsburg to Florida?

[cripplecreek]

The official MEs report is the only one that counts.

[sitetest]

The version of history associated with Dr. Wecht, here at FreeRepublic, is determined by which side of a controversial issue he takes.

Dr. Wecht is a publicity hound. Apparently, he's also a very good medical examiner.

When he supported the view that Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown was murdered rather than killed by a plane crash in the Balkans, he was hailed here at FR. At other times, he's been hero or goat, here, depending on his own relationship to the opinions of posters at FR.

In the current case, those who favored not murdering Terri under any circumstance adopt him as their hero, and those who believed that the law was adequately served point out his faults.

[Lion in Winter]

As I understand it, the man volunteered as did many ME across the country. So, what.

The Schindler's have no way of knowing Justice is looking into FINANCIAL irregularies of this guy anymore than they would know about any you or any person might have.

Further, that ME in Pinellas County is probably a shady dude on his own.... knowing the way the politics in that county are run.

Hated living there myself. Registered as an INDEPENDENT for the first time in my life when we lived there about 12 years ago. Quite a unique/crooked place.

Not that where I live now... amongst the ruling democRats is any better.

Jacksonville to me seems the "least crooked" big city in all of Florida. People are real friendly there as well.

[over3Owithabrain]

I don't know when or how it happened, but Florida has largely become a pit of corruption and weirdness, rivalling California. There are still some nice enclaves, but more and more people tell me they want out.

[Honestfreedom]

I did not know Wecht had anything to do with the Schindlers. All these high profile coroners are self promoters and less than fully trustworthy. Michael Baden who has made some noise in this case also tried to convince people that OJ Simpson was innocent. It is unfortunate when we start liking court whores when they take our side of an issue.

[BlackElk]

Whatever his flaws, Dr. Wecht has long been recognized as the premier forensic pathologist in the US. Sometimes people vilify an expert because of the cause in which he testifies. It is always better to have his work reviewed by objective peers for its quality. Viewed in that light, Dr. Wecht has nothing to fear. His successor as leading forensic pathologist will likely be Dr. Henry Lee of Connecticut who will be vilified for testifying as a witness for O. J. Simpson. Nonetheless, his professional reputation will justifiably remain intact among his peers.

As I understand it, Dr. Wecht will not be allowed access to the actual autopsy. That fact says far more about Michael Schiavo, his attorney Felos, Judge Greer and the Floriduh court sustem (none of it positive) than it says about the distiguished Dr. Cyril Wecht. I say this as someone who has often disagreed with the causes of those for whom he has worked in his private capacity. Whether we happen to agree with his clients or not, he is the best.

[sitetest]

Dear BlackElk,

"Whatever his flaws, Dr. Wecht has long been recognized as the premier forensic pathologist in the US."

No argument here. As I said:

"Dr. Wecht is a publicity hound. Apparently, he's also a very good medical examiner."


sitetest

[F.J. Mitchell]

This grows more Clintonesque with each tidbit of information that oozes out. Everyone asked to work for the good guys, is immediately branded a bad guy, by the exceptionally good spinners working for the bad guys.

This cancer has a far more invasive root system than the pimplesque punks on the surface would indicate.

[bigfootbob]

Wait a minute, why not use Florida's own; Dr. G., Medical Examiner? Too busy filming for A & E?

[BlackRain]

"Further, that ME in Pinellas County is probably a shady dude on his own.... knowing the way the politics in that county are run."

What facts do you base that on?

Republican Govenor Jeb Bush on October 11, 2000; appointed Dr. Jon R. Thogmartin as the Pinellas-Pasco medical examiner. Florida Medical Examiner's Commission also recommended him to Bush.

The Medical Examiner is responsible for District Six which covers only Pinellas and Pasco Counties.

Judge Greer was elected into office and is a Republican as well.

Are all Republican's shady if they don't agree with you?

Do some research here: http://www.co.pinellas.fl.us/forensics/default.html

[lolhelp]

No he still lives up there, old friend of Mr. Shindlers, from when they lived there. His shady friends from his past evidently didn't retire to Fla. I think both sides of this whole thing did not have poor Terri's best interest at heart. I am not talking about her Mother. When I read that her father testified on the witness stand in court that he was mad because the husband got a settlement separate from hers and he (the father) did not get any money, I never had a good feeling about him.
Never did understand why they thought they could care for her at home now, when years ago they tried and had to return her to the nursing home because they were overwhelmed
with the care of her. Maybe some people get stronger as they age, wish that was the case for me and my sisters and Aunt, who is 95.

[Graymatter]

This is really getting creepy. Seems like this news is just someone's way of threatening the man. Stay out of the Schiavo case or else---look how easily we can destroy your career.

[lilylangtree]

Terri's death will be covered up to protect her murderer, Michael Schiavo, the judge Greer and other various politicians. That explains why the Schindler's chosen doctor was not allowed to observe.

[ellery]

I live in Pittsburgh. Wecht is a mean, nasty nutcase. Also, years ago, he participated in FoxTV's alien autopsy.

[RGSpincich]

someone's way of threatening the man

Article is dated 3/25.

[Graymatter]

Article is dated 3/25.

So...is that too soon? Terri Schiavo's execution began a week before that. By 3/25 it was clear she wasn't going to be rescued.

[RGSpincich]

I live in Pittsburgh. Wecht is a mean, nasty nutcase. Also, years ago, he participated in FoxTV's alien autopsy.

I imagine he's pretty good at no name autopsies but gets imaginative when the rich and/or famous hit the slab.

JFK Conspiracy

[RGSpincich]

is that too soon

You implied that this article was meant to scare Wecht off. On or before 3/25 no mention had been made of Wecht or an autopsy. So yeah I'd say this is just a news article with no hidden message.