Media Opposing Anonymous Jury in Wecht Fraud Case

By: Two Pittsburgh newspapers and a television station have joined defense attorneys in opposing federal judge's decision to use an anonymous jury at former Allegheny County Coroner Cyril Wecht's fraud trial next month.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WPXI-TV say the anonymous jury order is unconstitutional because it effectively closes the jury selection to the public.

The media outlets point to a jury selection order issued last year by the chief federal judge in Pittsburgh.

It allows jurors to be questioned in public, but requires that they be identified only by a number in open court. The media outlets say that's enough of a precaution to safeguard the jury from tampering and other problems.