PITTSBURGH — Celebrity pathologist Cyril Wecht is slated to be an expert witness for two state troopers accused of wrongfully shooting a 12-year-old boy, a trial that will happen in the same courthouse and at the same time as Wecht's federal fraud trial.

Wecht, who has gained fame for his inquiries into the deaths of celebrities and famous political figures, is currently on trial for allegedly using his former Allegheny County Coroner's staff to run errands that benefited himself and his lucrative private practice.

His criminal trial should still be going when, on Feb. 11, two state troopers will begin defending themselves from a civil rights lawsuit filed by the father of Michael Ellerbe. Ellerbe was shot in a Uniontown alley in 2002 while running from a stolen SUV.

Wecht said, "There'll be no problem," with serving as an expert for state police while also assisting in his defense. His attorneys said scheduling conflicts will likely be resolved by the judges presiding at each trial.

Wecht defense attorney Jerry McDevitt, who has said the criminal case against his client consists of overblown accusations against a venerable public servant, noted the juxtaposition of Wecht as government target and government witness.

"That's what's ludicrous about this," McDevitt said. "He'll be walking down the hall to be an expert witness for the state police."

In the Ellerbe case, the two sides disagree about what happened on the day of the shooting.