WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - The jury took fewer than four hours Thursday to convict Harlow Cuadra of first-degree murder and 11 other felony counts he faced in connection with the slaying of rival gay adult movie producer Bryan Kocis.
Now the eight men and four women must decide whether the convicted murderer will pay with his life or spend the rest of his years behind bars. His former lover and apparent partner in crime, Joseph Kerekes, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in December and was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
Cuadra, 27, on Wednesday told the jury he neither knew about beforehand nor participated in a reportedly vicious attack on Kocis at his rural Pennsylvania home in January 2007. In fact, Cuadra claimed, he hid in a rented vehicle while Kerekes committed the murder, which Cuadra characterized as the result of a lover's jealous rage.
Kocis' body, stabbed 28 times and nearly decapitated, was found burned beyond recognition among the ashes of his residence.
The jury may have been swayed by Cuadra's tearful testimony, as members indicated some confusion when they asked presiding judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. whether they could convict if they were unsure who struck the death blow.
"Can we convict on first-degree murder if we don't believe Harlow Cuadra slit Bryan Kocis' throat?" they wanted to know.
Olszewski explained that Pennsylvania law requires the jury to find the defendant was a "main participant" in order to render a first-degree verdict. Whether Cuadra struck the death blow or merely served as an accomplice should determine the jury's recommendation on sentencing, he told them: If Cuadra struck the death blow, he may be sentenced to death; if he was an accomplice, life in prison would be a more appropriate sentence.
Cuadra's trial lasted 10 days. He was the only witness to testify for the defense. Although the defense team added Kerekes as a surprise last-minute witness, when Kerekes took the stand he declined to answer questions about the crime.
It is unclear when the court will begin the sentencing phase.
