One of the female jurors in the aborted corruption trial of state Sen. Jane Orie, R-40th, and her sister, Janine Orie, was on target Thursday when she lamented the trial’s cost and the taxpayer bill that will accompany a second trial, now scheduled to begin on April 11.

But the mistrial declared earlier in the day by Judge Jeffrey Manning, based on the allegation that some defense documents bore forged signatures, is cause for Orie constituents and others to ponder some relevant issues tied to the short-circuited criminal justice proceeding. When doing that, they also should reflect on the pending trials stemming from the Bonusgate grand jury investigation, including one involving powerful Democratic state House member H. William DeWeese of Greene County.

This is indeed a dark hour for Pennsylvania government, and the aborted Orie trial heaped abundant evidence on that unfortunate fact.

The public has cause to wonder why Jane Orie, during preparations for her defense, did not become aware of the forgeries and, if she was aware of them, did not object to them being introduced as trial evidence.

Meanwhile, for courts in Allegheny County and elsewhere, the forgeries raise issues regarding the handling and scrutiny of documents that are to be part of any trial. What occurred during the Ories’ trial is unthinkable and detestable.

Like any other defendants, Orie and her sister are innocent until proven guilty, but the forgeries cast a terrible setback for their attempt to prove their innocence, despite the fact that any mention of forgeries no doubt will be banned in the second trial.

For Jane Orie, her credibility in the eyes of some of her constituents is bound to suffer, even if she had no hand in the forgeries.

Her attorney, William Costopoulos, said he would appeal Manning’s decision about a new trial on the grounds that it would constitute double jeopardy.

For now, a probe should be launched to determine who is responsible for the forged documents — which is a crime itself.

The latest developments involving the senator, as well as the new trial, will undoubtedly be distracting to Jane Orie in representing her district, which includes a part of Butler County.

Manning was correct when he said, “The well has been poisoned here and we’re not going to drink any more from it.”

Orie, as a respected lawmaker who has done good things for her district and over the years has projected an image of honesty and integrity, should not want to be judged on evidence that not only damaged her case, but her reputation.

No doubt what has transpired regarding the Ories will have an impact on future trials connected with Bonusgate. Evidence will be reviewed with a much more scrutinizing eye.

As other trials are awaited, the public has grounds for reflection on the comment of that female juror who, pointing out that “the whole trial was (about) the theft of services” involving taxpayers’ money, made it clear that the taxpayers have, in essence, been ripped off once again — although, thanks to the tainted evidence, by necessity.

This is a dark hour for Pennsylvania government, and it’s essential that that dark cloud be lifted.