While I often disagreed with Wecht's conclusions, particularly in the JonBenet Ramsey case, I liked him personally and am sorry for his difficulties.

Former U.S. Attorney Dick Thornburgh is among those on his defense team. If Thornburgh couldn't negotiate a deal prior to indictment, that signals to me prosecutors want jail time from him.

Good luck, Cyril.

Update: The AP reports on the charges:

[The charges include] using county employees to campaign for him and handle his private lab work. The indictment also accuses Wecht of trading unclaimed bodies stored by the county coroners office, which he headed, to a Pittsburgh university in exchange for use of a laboratory there for his private practice....[it] accuses him of using county employees to run private errands and do work for his private practice between 1996 and December 2005.... [they include] mail fraud, wire fraud, theft of honest services and theft from the county coroner's office.

Dr. Wecht responded to reporters today:

"Am I innocent? Yes, I'm innocent," Wecht told reporters Friday evening. Asked whether he thought the indictment would affect his reputation, he said: "Reputation is in the eyes of the beholder, as is beauty. So we'll see how it plays out with people."

Wecht's side says the charges grew out of a feud with the District Attorney.

The attorneys said the investigation began as a result of "fanciful allegations" by the county district attorney, with whom Wecht has feuded. They also questioned the U.S. attorney's jurisdiction over his conduct in county government. The indictment said federal authorities have jurisdiction because the county uses some federal funds.

As for who might be witnesses against him:

Two people who worked for him were indicted, one accused of performing private lab work on county time, the other of submitting false mileage reimbursement invoices for work done in neighboring counties.