Jury selection began Wednesday in the trial of Harlow Cuadra, the 27-year-old former escort and porn producer who stands accused of the grisly 2007 murder of Cobra Video founder Brian Kocis.
In one of the most violent and graphic murders of recent years, in 2007, Kocis was found dead in his Pennsylvania home with his throat slashed; he was nearly decapitated. His body had to be identified by dental records because his home had been burned and with it, his body.
According to local news coverage in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Cuadra said "good morning" and offered a wave to the potential jurors as jury selection began Wednesday morning.
Prospective jurors were questioned on their familiarity with the high-profile case and asked about their opinions of the death penalty, which prosecutors are pursuing.
Last December, Cuadra's former business partner, 35-year-old Joseph Kerekes, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Kocis was allegedly the victim of an industry turf war . According to reports, Cuadra and Kerekes wanted to make a million-dollar film with porn star Brent Corrigan. Corrigan had performed in a number of titles for Cobra Video before he turned 18 and, until early last year, was still entangled in a litigious feud over the use of his stage name with Cobra.
The trial is expected to begin in the next several days. Judge Peter Paul Olzsewski Jr. said the trial could last three weeks. (Advocate.com)
