Court briefs

WILKES-BARRE – Convicted murderer Harlow Cuadra filed court papers Thursday through his attorney Paul Walker stating why he filed an appeal with the state Superior Court.

Cuadra, 27, of Virginia, was found guilty by a county jury in March of the murder of Bryan Kocis, 44, of Dallas Township, in January 2007.

Cuadra was sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in the death of his rival in the gay pornography industry.

His co-defendant and partner, Joseph Kerekes, 35, also of Virginia, pleaded guilty in December to murder charges and is also serving a life sentence.

In his court papers, Cuadra said he is appealing his conviction and sentence because the trial court, or judge, erred in denying a motion to suppress recorded statements and conversations at Crabcatcher’s Restaurant in La Hoya, Calif., in April 2007 and recorded statements and conversations at Black Beach, San Diego, Calif., in April 2007; evidence seized from Cuadra’s home during a search warrant execution, and evidence seized regarding Cuadra’s e-mail accounts. He claims the court should not have allowed “gruesome photographs” into evidence, which “served no purpose.”

According to court records, during dinner at the restaurant, Kerekes told an associate, Grant Roy, he couldn’t talk because he was worried Roy was wearing a wire.

The next day on April 28, Roy carried a remote car opener containing a recording device when the four men visited a nude beach near San Diego.

Evidence seized from the home included a log book, videotapes, digital cameras, camcorders, battery packs, luggage, receipts, firearms, ammunition, clothing and computers.

E-mails presented at Cuadra’s trial were traced back to Kerekes and Cuadra and it is unknown which “gruesome” photos Cuadra is specifically appealing. At trial, prosecutors showed the jury a number of photos taken at Kocis’ autopsy.

WILKES-BARRE – A Hazleton man was arraigned Wednesday night on charges linked to an alleged early morning beating of a woman.

John Francis Harris, 47, of Fulton Court, was charged with two counts of simple assault and one count of harassment after police said they were called to South Wyoming Street for an argument between a man and woman that turned physical.

A woman told police Harris beat her up after they were at a party and had an argument.

WILKES-BARRE – A Philadelphia man was arraigned Wednesday night on charges after allegedly being found drunk and loitering at a car dealership early Thursday.

Thomas John Foster, 53, of Saint Vincent Street, was charged with resisting arrest, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct after police said they observed him in the lot of Coccia Ford in Plains Township.

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Crime & Courts

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