News

April 30, 2008

Kocis estate wins suit against slaying suspects

WILKES-BARRE – The estate of a gay porn producer stabbed to death in his Dallas Township home has won a lawsuit against the man’s suspected killers.

But how much in damages the estate will be awarded remains unclear.

Michael Kocis, the father of Bryan Kocis, filed suit in January against Harlow Cuadra and Joseph Kerekes. The two Virginia men are accused of killing Bryan Kocis, their rival in the gay porn industry, inside his home and then setting it on fire in January 2007.

Kocis, 44, was found dead by firefighters.

The men are also facing homicide charges in the death. They remain jailed awaiting trial. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Michael Kocis’ suit, filed in Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas, claimed Cuadra and Kerekes entered Bryan Kocis’ home and “jointly” or “separately” caused Bryan Kocis’ death and destroyed the home and property.

But neither suspect responded to the suit, according to court papers. That led to a default judgment being entered against both of them last week, and a judgment entered in favor of the estate, Michael Kocis’ attorney, Conrad Falvello said Tuesday.

Falvello said he has not even heard from any attorney on behalf of the men.

And unless they make a motion to reverse the default judgment, the case will proceed to a trial just to determine damages, he said.

Both suspects claim to be indigent and are represented in their criminal case by publicly funded attorneys.

But Falvello said he heard the suspects had assets seized by federal authorities in Virginia.

He is trying to ensure, through the suit, that Bryan Kocis’ family would be entitled to those assets.

The insurance carrier for the home is also involved in the suit to see if it is entitled to damages for the fire, Falvello said.

David Weiss, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 831-7397.

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