Bowing Out

For personal reasons, I have decided not to blog anymore. So long, and thanks for all the fish.

Fear not. PC shall soldier on.

-KM

Harlow's Jacket of Mystery

Update (10-18-07 12:17 PM): Harlow's jacket auction ended with one bid of $2500.00 ... it's not known if that bid will actually be accepted however, as the reserve price was never met.

According to Harlow Cuadra's blog, he's selling a Chinchilla Jacket on Ebay for a starting bid of $2500.00. The auction states that the jacket was originally designed for Van Diesel [sic.] in the movie TripleX. The auction also leads one to believe that the jacket was worth $20,000.00 at the time of purchase (March 2007), in a Las Vegas Bernini store... on the same night as the infamous lamb dinner.

A Google search for “Bernini Chinchilla jacket” gives you: "Reversible Leather Rabbit Jacket - Reversible Leather Rabbit Jacket available for sale at Bernini Italian ... Dyed chinchilla-pattern rabbit hair reverses to become the lining or outer layer".

Bernini's website does show a surprisingly similar jacket for sale... but it's rabbit, and sells for only $5995.00:

It should also be noted that a current search on Bernini's clearly shows that they don't offer anything with Chinchilla (for men or women).

Ironically, it also doesn't appear as if Vin Diesel wore a jacket like Harlow's in the movie TripleX ( which screened in 2002 ):



OUT Magazine's October 2007 issue (page 90) quotes Joe's father, Fred Kerekes saying: "Joe had a $6,000 chinchilla coat he bought in Vegas. It was leather inside - it was reversible"... interesting how similar in price and description that is to the rabbit fur coat... not to mention that it's during the same time-frame Harlow claims to have bought his.

We're not trying to dispute Harlow's auction story, but with the information found... it does raise some legitimate questions.

-PC

Joseph Kerekes Gets New Attorneys

Update (4:07 AM): Citizens Voice also covers the story:

"Blum argued Cuadra or Kerekes might blame one another for slashing Kocis' throat and killing him before the fire. The accomplice defense creates an obvious conflict for the office, Blum said in a motion seeking new counsel.

Blum also contends another conflict arises from his and First Assistant Public Defender Al Flora's past representation of Kocis. Flora was interviewed by police and provided information relative to Kocis' murder, Blum said in his motion. Because Flora is a potential witness in the case, the public defender's office should be removed, Blum argued." [Note: Al Flora defended Kocis in 2001, when Kocis was charged with sexually assaulting a teenager.]

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The Times Leader picks up the story:

"A Luzerne County judge on Friday appointed attorneys from outside the public defender’s office to defend Joseph Kerekes on homicide charges in connection with the slaying of Bryan Kocis.

The move came after attorney Jonathan Blum, a public defender, asked for attorneys outside his office to represent the men because of potential conflicts of interest with his office defending both men.

According to Blum’s court papers filed Friday, having public defenders represent both men creates a significant conflict of interest because the men, at trial, could accuse the other as the principal killer.

Also, Blum wrote, he and Al Flora Jr. had represented Kocis in the past. Flora is the county’s first assistant public defender.

Blum wanted outside attorneys appointed for both men but Court of Common Pleas Judge Mark Ciavarella opted to appoint outside attorneys for only Kerekes."

Motions Filed Thus Far...

Several motions and petitions have been filed since October 11, 2007. Both in regards to Harlow Cuadra and Joseph Kerekes. Here's a breakdown thus far:

Harlow Cuadra:

(10/11/2007) Motion for order to Transcribe Record & Order filed by Judge Peter Paul Olszewski.

(10/12/2007) Motion for Appt Conflict Counsel & Order filed by Judge Mark A. Ciavarella, Jr. - this motion has been DENIED.

(10/12/2007) Petition for Appt of Counsel & Order filed by Judge Mark A. Ciavarella, Jr. - this petition has been DENIED.

Joseph Kerekes:

(10/11/2007) Motion for order to Transcribe Record & Order filed by Judge Peter Paul Olszewski.

(10/12/2007) Petition for Appt of Counsel & Order filed - appt Atty Pike-Atty Mark Bufalino-Atty Centini by Judge Mark A. Ciavarella, Jr. - this petition has been Approved.

(10/12/2007) Petition for Appt of Counsel & Order filed by Judge Mark A. Ciavarella, Jr. - this petition has been DENIED.

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We'll explain these filings in more detail shortly... but needless to say, Joseph Kerekes has been given conflict counsel.

- PC

Where's Harlow Now? [Redux]

After a brief stay at the Luzerne County prison, Harlow Cuadra has been transferred back to Lackawanna County prison until further notice.

What Happens Next

Now that the formal arraignment is over, and with Harlow Cuadra and Joseph Kerekes both pleading not guilty to the brutal murder of Bryan Kocis, the next legal step is the discovery process ... which basically serves as a period of trial preparation for both sides.

With pleas in place, Harlow and Joe's attorneys will now likely file a notice of intent to participate in discovery with the prosecution. That means that the district attorney's office is required to turn over any and all material that is potentially exculpatory.

The prosecutor has an affirmative duty to continue to provide Harlow and Joe with the names and addresses of all relevant witnesses, along with anything about those witnesses that might impeach their credibility-- like past criminal records, for example.

Further, the DA has to turn over that info even on witnesses that he doesn't actually intend to call at trial. The specific claims of anyone who gave exculpatory evidence during the course of the State's investigation have to be brought forward and handed over to the Defense. Additionally, the prosecutor must provide any written or recorded statements that Harlow and Joe provided. In short, if it's at all useful to the Defense, the DA has to cough it up.

As part of the discovery, Harlow and Joe's attorneys are allowed to question the prosecution’s witnesses through the deposition process... a formal inquiry of the witness, who tells his or her story under oath and has it recorded by a court reporter.

From now until the actual trial, the lawyers will also fight over motions that would affect how the case gets presented. Those motions include requests for a bill of particulars, motions for continuance, severance or joinder, evidentiary or testimonial suppression, etc., and begin within thirty days after the formal arraignment.

- Both PC and KM contributed to this story.

Where's Harlow Now?

During last Thursday's formal arraignment for suspected murderer Harlow Cuadra, Judge Peter Olszewski ordered that Mr. Cuadra be transferred to Luzerne County prison from Lackawanna County prison - if the warden could ensure that Harlow would have no contact with co-defendent Joseph Kerekes.

A source familiar with the case that wishes to remain anonymous has confirmed that Harlow is in Luzerne County prison right now, but an agreement has still not been reached as to where he'll be staying long-term to await trial.

Update (4:04 PM): Harlow's blog also confirms this story:

- PC

Harlow's Auction Site [Redux]

All items listed for sale on Harlow Cuadra's auction site have been closed to bidding since October 4, 2007. It would appear as if the "Hot Tub of Fun" sold for $750, and one of Harlow's T-shirts sold for $50.

Considering Harlow and Joseph Kerekes have less than 30 days to report to the court, their intentions of hiring private attorneys or using public defenders... one would think that time is of the essence in trying to sell the remaining items to gather any additional funds they can. With 5 days already passed, that deadline is inching even closer.

Update (10/11/07): According to Harlow's blog, these items will now be auctioned on Ebay.