PITTSBURGH — A federal judge says the jurors will remain anonymous at the trial of former Allegheny County Coroner Cyril Wecht.

U.S. District Judge Arthur Schwab isn't saying why, but defense attorneys object, saying it's not necessary and raises constitutional issues.

With an anonymous panel, names are withheld from the public and attorneys. Neither the defense or prosecution made the request.

Wecht is scheduled for trial in January on charges that he used his county staff to do work for his private pathology practice. He resigned in January after being indicted on 84 counts by a federal grand jury.