Pitt researcher waives preliminary hearing

A Pitt researcher charged with the April poisoning of his wife has waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

The office of Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala  announced Friday morning that Robert A. Ferrante, 65, a professor in Pitt’s department of neurology who was arrested late last July and charged with the murder of his late wife, Autumn Marie Klein, has opted to take his case directly to trial.

Klein died early on the morning of April 20. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office later identified cyanide poisoning as the cause of her death.

Ferrante was denied access to the lab where he worked after he became the focus of the investigation into his wife’s death. After he was charged, Pitt placed him on indefinite leave.

Ken Service, Pitt’s senior vice chancellor for communication, said Ferrante remains on indefinite leave.

Ferrante’s preliminary hearing had been scheduled for Oct. 22. The case is now scheduled for a trial, and a formal arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 6, according to Mike Manko, a spokesman for Zappala’s office.

William H. Difenderfer, Ferrante’s attorney, could not be reached for immediate comment Friday.