Harlow Cuadra's Hearing Today...

Another day... another hearing - with apparently more to follow.

 

According to my sources, what happened during today's hearing is that Harlow Cuadra's attorney, Demetrius Fannick, attempted to tear apart the original trial lawyers' strategy, questioning whether they had adequate preparation and why they didn't, for example, try to argue that Cuadra had been under duress.

 

The attorneys responded that they were well prepared, duress is only a defense for those admitting to having committed an act (which Harlow did not), and that Cuadra was "not forthcoming" about even being at the scene until the trial.

 

Supplemental filings are due from the defense by January 20th and the DA 10 days after that. No decision was made today, and the judge did not schedule a date for the next hearing.

 

I'll post news links if/when they become available.

Report from The Times Leader

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Remember Joe?

 

While sources tell me that there hasn't been an official list of witnesses submitted by Demetrius Fannick or the DA's office, those familiar with the case have suggested that it shouldn't be a surprise if Harlow Cuadra's former partner in crime, Joseph Kerekes, makes a visit to Luzerne County soon. Whether this is for him to testify at Harlow's upcoming PCRA hearing, or to simply be interviewed, remains to be unknown at this time.

I'll update this post accordingly.

-PC

Now we wait until January...

As we all know, Harlow Cuadra's PCRA hearing has been delayed again due to the holidays. Here's Demetrius Fannick's motion for a delay (which the DA also agreed), and the judge's order granting the motion and setting a new date of January 3, 2014:.

 

 

 

Harlow's hearing will be Delayed Again...

Sources tell me that Harlow Cuadra's attorney, Demetrius Fannick, filed a motion in court today to have the hearing delayed until after Thanksgiving, due to having difficulties in contacting witnesses because of the holiday weekend. No new date has been set.

 

I should have a copy of the motion shortly and will post it when it's received. This thing has been delayed so many times, I've actually lost count.

 

-- PC

Harlow makes a Brief Appearance...

Convicted murder Harlow R. Cuadra did make a very brief appearance in court today. His appeal hearing has been continued to later this month, due to his attorney Demetrius Fannick requesting more time (again). I'll post the exact date when it's given to me.

 

You can also find a brief mention about it at WNEP News Channel 16, the Times Leader and Citizens Voice.

Update 11/13/2013: Sources tell me that the next hearing is scheduled for November 27, 2013 at 9 AM in court room 5. Fannick argued that Harlow should have received a mental health evaluation during his first trial, and the judge promptly rejected the motion.

The Story that Never Ends... or... Will It?

Convicted murder Harlow Raymond Cuadra has his PCRA hearing coming up on Tuesday, November 12, 2013.

Originally filed on May 3, 2012, Cuadra is seeking a new trial due to "duress", claiming that mistakes were made before and during the first jury trial in March 2009 that ended in a first-degree murder conviction for the brutal slaying of Bryan Kocis. ( Harlow's partner in crime, Joseph Kerekes, had already plead guilty and was sentenced to life in prison).

 

On May 20, 2013. Harlow Cuadra's attorney, Demetrius Fannick, stated that some new issues had surfaced during an interview with Harlow over the weekend, and that he needed more time to file a supplemental brief to his existing PCRA. The Honorable Judge, Fred A. Pierantoni, III, granted Fannick's request and told him that he must file any additional court papers by July 3. and that prosecutors must respond by Aug. 5. ( I will try to have these posted before the hearing on Tuesday).

 

It appears that Cuadra has already been transferred to the Luzernne County Correctional Facility and he will likely be at the courthouse for the hearing.

 

We'll keep you posted.

Update 11/12/2013: Sources tell me that Fannick had apparently requested more time from the judge about two weeks ago and the judge granted his request. So... I'll try to find out when the new hearing date is and will let everyone know.

 

 

Harlow Cuadra's PCRA Hearing...



Harlow Cuadra 05/20/2013
(Times-Leader photo used with permission)

Harlow Cuadra's PCRA hearing which was scheduled for today, has been continued (again) because his attorney, Demetrius Fannick, said some new issues came up during an interview with Harlow this past weekend, so he needs to file a supplemental brief to his existing PCRA. The hearing has been  moved to November 12, 2013 because of Judge Pierantoni's schedule. (Hugo Selenski's death penalty trial is supposed to start next month and will take awhile, plus other scheduled cases).

More information about Monday's hearing can be found at the Time-Leader.