Cuadra Attorney Seeks to Withdraw

LUZERNE COUNTY, Penn. — An attorney for homicide suspect Harlow Cuadra has filed a petition to withdraw as counsel from the capital murder case. An earlier request to withdraw had been denied by Luzerne County Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr., who cited concern over further trial delays.

Cuadra, 27, and co-defendant Joseph Kerekes, 34, both escorts, gay adult producers and website entrepreneurs, are accused of murdering Cobra Video producer Bryan Kocis in January 2007 and setting fire to his Dallas Township, Penn. home. They will be tried together and face the death penalty.

Attorney Stephen Menn filed a “Petition to Withdraw as Conflict Counsel” on Wednesday, one hour before the courthouse closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, according to a newspaper account.

In his initial request, Menn cited “an intense county workload” that includes five additional homicide cases has kept him away from his private practice. He said the anticipated four to six weeks for “jury selection, trial and penalty phase” in the Cuadra-Kerekes case constituted economic hardship.

In denying that request, Judge Olszewski advised Menn against filing similar petitions. “You can make any motion you want,” he said. “My obligation is that fairness prevail over this trial and that this case be tried in a timely and competent manner.”

Menn’s departure could delay the trial another six months. “That’s not going to happen,” the judge said.

The trial had been delayed once from March 24 to Sept. 2 to allow defense attorneys more time to prepare, and postponed again to Jan. 5 when one attorney apiece from the Kererkes and Cuadra defense teams were dismissed because they both worked for the same law firm.

All are members of Luzerne County’s conflict counsel pool, which is a separate group of publicly funded attorneys assigned to cases when a defendant is unable to retain a private attorney and a public defender cannot be used because of a conflict of interest.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Video: FSC's Alison Boden Testifies Before California Assembly Committee Regarding Age Verification

Free Speech Coalition Executive Director Alison Boden testified before the California Assembly on Tuesday, in opposition to the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Republicans Behind Oklahoma's New Age Verification Law Gleeful About Potential Pornhub 'Exit'

Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed into law Oklahoma’s version of the age verification legislation being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Kam Stone, Jayden Marcos Star in Next Door Films' 'No Strings Attached'

Alpha Studio Group (ASG) exclusives Kam Stone and Jayden Marcos star in "No Strings Attached," from studio brand Next Door Films.

Disruptive Films Wraps Production on 'Honeyguide'

Disruptive Films has announced that the studio has wrapped production on its latest feature, "Honeyguide."

Woodhull Freedom Foundation Debuts 'Fact Checked by Woodhull' Program

The Woodhull Freedom Foundation has launched its new "Fact Checked by Woodhull" program, which uses peer-reviewed research, compiled and analyzed by professional researchers, to debunk myths weaponized to justify the repression of sex, sexuality and gender expression.

Supreme Court Denies Stay of Texas' Age Verification Law

The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a request by Free Speech Coalition (FSC) and other plaintiffs to stay Texas’ controversial age verification law while the court decides on a petition that would effectively overturn it on constitutional grounds.

Chaturbate Reaches Settlement With Texas Over Age Verification

Chaturbate’s parent company, Multi Media, has reached a settlement with Texas regarding the state’s controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Carnal Acquires, Relaunches European Studio Brand 'Staghomme'

Carnal Media has acquired European studio Staghomme and relaunched it, headlined by their recently signed exclusive, Bastian Karim.

Opinion: Why Device-Based Age Verification is the Key to Protecting Minors Online

Across the United States, state legislators on both sides of the aisle have attempted to tackle the crucial goal of preventing minors from accessing adult content.

Cazden Hunter, Zak Bishop Topline 'Tempting Desires' From Icon Male

Cazden Hunter and Zak Bishop headline "Tempting Desires," the latest release from Mile High Media studio imprint Icon Male.

Show More