News Briefing

© 2008 Philadelphia Gay News

Kocis defendant takes the stand

Luzerne County Judge Peter Paul Olszewski heard arguments in a July 24 hearing to determine whether certain pieces of evidence should be suppressed from the upcoming trial in the Bryan Kocis slaying.

Harlow Cuadra, 26, and Joseph Kerekes, 34, face the death penalty in the January 2007 stabbing death of Kocis, a rival in the gay-porn industry.

Kerekes took the stand and alleged that in May 2007, Virginia Beach police and FBI agents interrogated him without a lawyer present, despite numerous requests on the defendant’s behalf to have an attorney present.

Those officers testified and denied Kerekes’ claim.

Kerekes’ lawyers are arguing for the exclusion of the post-arrest interview, as well as items seized from his and Cuadra’s home and conversations recorded without the defendants’ knowledge, from the trial, to begin Sept. 2. Olszewski did not rule on the motions at the hearing.

Multi-state cycle for AIDS

Tylenol PM will sponsor “Braking the Cycle,” a two-day bicycle ride that crosses through Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York to benefit HIV/AIDS programming at the LGBT Community Center of New York.

The ride will kick off Sept. 26 in Gettysburg and end in New York City Sept. 28, when the center will host a 25th-anniversary celebration.

Each cyclist is asked to raise a minimum of $3,500. For more information, visit www.brakingthecycle.org or call (212) 989-1111.

Rugby team in gear

The Gryphons, Philadelphia’s gay rugby team, will host its first practice for new players from 7-9 p.m. Aug. 7 at the George Pepper Middle School, 2901 S. 84th St.
All interested players, regardless of experience level, are encouraged to come out for the practice. Players should wear shorts and a shirt and bring water. The team also operates a carpool leaving from Center City.

Contact IwannaPlay@phillygryphons.org or visit www.phillyrugby.org.

—Jen Colletta