Homicide case timeline

Jan. 24, 2007: Prosecutors said Bryan Kocis, 44, was killed inside his Dallas Township home that was set on fire.

Feb. 2, 2007: Investigators release photo of a man known as Drake, which later turned out to be Harlow Cuadra.

April 27-28, 2007: Investigators intercept conversations between Cuadra, Joseph Kerekes, Grant Roy and Sean Lockhart in San Diego, Calif. During these conversations, Cuadra and Kerekes discuss the Kocis murder.

May 15, 2007: Investigators charge Cuadra and Kerekes with Kocis’ homicide in in Virginia Beach, Va.

July 17, 2007: Cuadra and Kerekes are transferred from Virginia Beach to Luzerne County to face criminal homicide charges.

July 18, 2007: During a jailhouse interview, Kerekes says Cuadra was at Kocis’ home, but denies they took part in the homicide.

Oct. 1, 2007: Prosecutors file notice they intend to seek the death penalty for Cuadra and Kerekes.

July 2008 : Attorneys Mark Bufalino and Paul Galante are permitted to withdraw from the case due to a conflict of interest.

Dec. 16, 2008: Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. allows attorneys Michael Senape and Stephen Menn to withdraw from representing Cuadra, and are replaced by attorneys Joseph D’Andrea and Paul Walker.

Dec. 8, 2008: Kerekes pleads guilty to second degree murder, and is sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Feb. 17, 2009: Jury selection begins for Cuadra’s trial.

Feb. 23, 2009: Opening statements by prosecutors and defense lawyers.

March 9, 2009 : Prosecutors rest their case.

March 10, 2009: Kerekes opts not to testify for Cuadra. Cuadra testifies, telling the jury Kerekes killed Kocis.

March 11, 2009: Defense rests. Closing arguments.

March 12, 2009: Jury deliberates for approximately three hours convicting Cuadra of killing Kocis.

March 13, 2009: Death penalty phase begins.