Cyril Wecht

American forensic pathologist

Cyril Harrison Wecht (March 20, 1931 – May 13, 2024) was an American forensic pathologist. He was perhaps best known for his criticism of the Warren Commission's findings concerning the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

Cyril Wecht
Allegheny County Medical Examiner
In office
December 29, 2005[1] – January 20, 2006[2]
Preceded byHimself as Coroner
Succeeded byAbdulrezak Shakir (Acting)[a]
Allegheny County Coroner
In office
January 1, 1996 – December 29, 2005
Preceded byF. James Gregis (Acting)[b]
Succeeded byHimself as Medical Examiner
In office
January 2, 1970[3] – January 9, 1980
Preceded byRalph Stalter
Succeeded byJoshua Perper (Acting)[c]
Member of the Allegheny County
Board of Commissioners
In office
January 7, 1980 – January 2, 1984[4]
Preceded byJim Flaherty
Succeeded byPete Flaherty
Chairperson of the
Allegheny County Democratic Party
In office
June 1, 1978[5] – May 30, 1984[6]
Preceded byEugene Coon
Succeeded byEd Stevens
Personal details
Born
Cyril Harrison Wecht

(1931-03-20)March 20, 1931
Dunkard Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMay 13, 2024(2024-05-13) (aged 93)
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materUniversity of Pittsburgh (B.S.), (M.D.), (LLB)
University of Maryland School of Law (J.D.)
OccupationForensic pathologist
Politician
Attorney
a.^ Shakir held the title of Acting Medical Examiner while a national search was undertaken to find a permanent successor to Wecht.[7] In December 2006, Karl Williams was formally appointed Medical Examiner.[8]
b.^ Gregis held the title of Acting Coroner from the date of Joshua Perper's resignation in July of 1994, until Wecht was elected to permanently fill the vacancy.[9]
c.^ Perper held the title of Acting Coroner from the date of Wecht's resignation, until the State Supreme Court upheld Dr. Sanford Edberg's appointment to the office on March 2, 1981.

He was the president of both the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the American College of Legal Medicine, and headed the board of trustees of the American Board of Legal Medicine.[10] He was County Commissioner and Allegheny County Coroner and Medical Examiner serving Pittsburgh.

Wecht died on May 13, 2024, at the age of 93.[11]

References

change
  1. Lovering, Daniel (December 30, 2005). "Famous coroner Wecht to be county's first medical examiner". Centre Daily Times. Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2011 – via Care2 Groups.
  2. Cato, Jason; Conti, David (January 21, 2006). "Wecht resigns, proclaims innocence". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  3. "Wecht Sworn In As Coroner". The Pittsburgh Press. January 2, 1970. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  4. "New Allegheny commissioners promise new era of cooperation". The Gettysburg Times. January 3, 1984. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  5. Uhl, Sherley (June 1, 1978). "Wecht At Dem Helm, Rips Party Dissidents". The Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  6. Uhl, Sherley (May 30, 1984). "Democrats pick chairman tonight". The Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  7. "Wecht indicted, relinquishes medical examiner duties". The Pittsburgh Business Times. January 20, 2006. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  8. Belser, Ann (December 23, 2006). "Allegheny County names new medical examiner". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  9. "Perper named to Fla. post". The Observer-Reporter. April 10, 1994. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  10. "About Cyril H. Wecht". Cyril H. Wecht. Archived from the original on September 27, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  11. "Cyril Wecht, nationally renowned pathologist and former Allegheny County Democratic leader, dies at 93". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.