Update. Times Leader is reporting that Joseph Kerekes has been appointed counsel not associated with the Public Defender’s office. Harlow Cuadra has public defenders. HERE’s A KICKER, Al Flora, Jr, Bryan Kocis’ lawyer in 2002 and the lawyer retained by Kocis’ relatives AFTER Kocis was found dead, is Luzerne County’s first assistant public defender. Harlow Cuadra is essentially being represented by Bryan Kocis’ old lawyer’s law firm. AS IF THIS FREAK SHOW COULD GET ANY MORE FREAK SHOW. Times Leader

The American Bar Association in Pennsylvania released a study on the application of the death penalty in The State of Pennsyvlania. The Times Leader went to Bryan Kocis’ Lawyer Al Flora for comment on the report. As I understand it, Al Flora was retained by Bryan Kocis’ relatives AFTER Kocis’ death, Flora is currently the Criminal Lawyer for Bryan Kocis relatives.

Of course, this raises the question of why Bryan Kocis’ Estate needs a criminal lawyer?

The report, drafted by a team of prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges, concluded the state’s application of the death penalty is highly inconsistent, resulting in some defendants being sentenced to death who, if they had been convicted in another jurisdiction, likely would have been sentenced to life in prison. Times Leader

The American Bar Association Report should strengthen the coming motions to dismiss from Harlow Cuadra and Joseph Kerekes on the argument that they were denied their right to legal counsel by Virginia Beach’s aborted RICO action.

Some of the key problems cited include inadequate access to experts and investigators for the defense, a lack of standards to ensure attorneys appointed are qualified to handle the complex nature of capital cases, the existence of racial disparities in sentencing and confusing jury instructions. Times Leader