It is a little amazing that all of these so-called “lawyers” and “legal experts” blogging and posting comments on the Bryan Kocis Murder case have apparently NOT recogized the significance of an order on August 20, 2007 that there be separate trials for Harlow Cuadra and Joseph Kerekes.

A recent appeal in Luzerne County, in which one murder suspect turned semi-State’s witness against the other murder suspect, highlighted the fact that probably the most important outcome of preliminary hearings for Harlow Cuadra and Joseph Kerekes on or about August 20, 2007 would be a decision that they must have separate trials.

It seems clear from the Weakley Selenski Case that THE STATE will contest any orders that there be separate trials and that the resulting appeals will further delay any murder trials for Cuadra and Kerekes.

With Separate Trials

In addition to the obvious added cost and expense of separate trials for Harlow Cuadra and Joseph Kerekes, separate trials means that certain statements made by Kerekes that incriminate Cuadra could not be used against Cuadra unless Kerekes testifies at Cuadra’s trial. Similarly, certain statements made by Cuadra that incriminate Kerekes could likewise not be used against Kerekes unless Cuadra testifies at Kerekes’ trials. For example, The Black’s Beach Tapes could most likely not be used against Kerekes at Kerekes’ trial if Cuadra says statements on the tape that incriminate Kerekes (as The State claims).

Now, when you are talking about two guys who have been lovers and business partners for six years (who who had lawyers BEFORE they were arrested), you have to at least SUSPECT that Cuadra and Kerekes have been building the case for separate trials from the moment they were identified as suspects.

It is possible that “certain statements” made by Joseph Kerekes during his “jailhouse interview” with a reporter could be important “evidence” supporting a claim by Cuadra that he would be prejudiced if his trial was no separated from Kerekes’ trial.

We mentioned the Weakley Selenski Case before (see Black’s Beach Tapes Out Against Joseph Kerekes ) and noted how critical separate trials for Cuadra and Kerekes could prove to be.