Pocono News Section

Kerekes Pleads Guilty to Murder of Gay Porn Producer

Kerekes Pleads Guilty to Murder of Gay Porn Producer - Monday, December 8, 2008 at 6:21PM EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- A suspect in the slaying of a gay porn producer says he will not turn against his accomplice. Joseph Kerekes admitted to his involvement in the brutal murder two years ago.

By pleading guilty to second degree murder, Kerekes avoids the death penalty but is sentenced to life in prison. He did not get any other deal from the D. A.’s office for testifying against his partner, Harlow Caudra. In fact he adamantly told us he will not take the stand.

“I will not testify for the state against Harlow," said Kerekes. Those were his last words before being hauled away to begin serving a life sentence. On Monday, Kerekes pleaded guilty to second degree murder for his role in the death of Bryan Kocis, owner of Cobra video.

Kerekes told the court he and his partner Harlow Cuadra drove from Virginia Beach to kill Kocis in January 2007. He claimed Cuadra slashed Kocis' throat, stabbed him 28 times, robbed the Dallas Township house and set it on fire. Investigators claim Cuadra and Kerekes wanted to erase their main rival in the porn industry and cash in by using one of his lead porn stars.

Attorneys were ordered not to talk Monday, but last year prosecutors described the crime. Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney Tom Doherty said in July 2007, "This was well organized, planned, willful and they knew what they were doing every step of the way."

Kerekes didn't admit to actually using the knife or torching the house, but said he knew what Cuadra had planned. According to police, Cuadra used an alias to plan a business meeting with Kocis the night he was killed. Kerekes says they did surveillance of the house the night before and bought a gun, knife and lighter fluid.

By pleading guilty Kerekes avoids the death penalty. He did not strike a deal with prosecutors for testimony against Cuadra who is expected to face trial next month.

Kocis' father did speak in court before Kerekes was sentenced. He said he will never forget or forgive him for what he did. To that Kerekes said, “I'm sorry.”