Nov
28
Crime Blotter: Cuadra Attorney Seeks Withdrawal
November 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Crime Blotter: An attorney for homicide suspect Harlow Cuadra filed a second petition Wednesday to withdraw from the capital murder case. Attorney Stephen Menn first filed court papers last week “asking a judge to withdraw him from the case, citing economic hardship.” However, Luzerne County [Pennsylvania] Court of Common Pleas Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. was not amenable. He denied the initial petition by Mr. Menn to withdraw and cited concerns over further delays in trying Mr. Cuadra, 27, and co-defendant Joseph Kerekes, 34. Both are accused of the January 2007 murder of Cobra Video producer Bryan Kocis, among other related crimes. “You can make any motion you want,” Judge Olszewski said at a pre-trial hearing last week. “My obligation is that fairness prevail over this trial and that this case be tried in a timely and competent manner.” He added the departure of another attorney could lead to a six-month delay. “That‚Äôs not going to happen,” the judge said. The trial was already postponed from September to January 2009 when two attorneys withdrew from the case. Barring further postponements, the trial is set to commence January 5. [Sources: TimesLeader.com and CitizensVoice.com.]
