Kerekes takes the stand!

Just an FYI, folks, today is a really fascinating day in the Harlow Cuadra murder trial.

Kerekes took the stand this morning and refused to testify on behalf of Cuadra. Apparently the defense attorney had visited Kerekes in jail several times. He said on the stand that he had lied to the defense attorney during those visits and said he would not confess to something he did not do.

Apparently this took the defense attorneys by surprise and he was quickly dismissed from the stand.

Not all the surprises were one-sided though. Without the jury in the courtroom the defense announced they were going to call the Cuadra to the stand. Apparently that blind-sided the prosecution and two of the three prosecuting attorneys were seen literally running out of the courtroom. Presumably they were headed to prep for a cross-examination they did not expect would ever happen.

Cuadra is now on the stand and has been for some hours. Media reports haven't covered him talking about the murder yet, but he's been giving the story of his life, talking about how he met Kerekes, and how he came to be writing to Bryan Kocis.

Looks like he's going to try to pin the blame on the murder on Kerekes. Should be interesting hearing what he says.

More here: http://handjtrial.blogspot.com

--Aaron

The story just keeps getting more interesting. Cuadra just pinned the blame squarely on Kerekes. He said he was shocked when Kerekes pushed his way in and started attacking Kocus. He's even claiming to have jumped on top of Kerekes in an effort to stop him.

Follow the murder the two went to South Beach, Florida where they resided in a motel for a month. Cuadra claiming that Kerekes followed him everywhere and couldn't even go to the store without Kerekes following him.

He said he wanted to talk to the Pensylvania authorities but Kerekes wouldn't let him.

I ain't buying it. What do you think?

--Aaron

edit: corrected a minor factual error.

FYI, the jury deliberated for 3.5 hours today before returning a guilty verdict on all 11 counts.

Penalty phase begins tomorrow when they consider whether to issue the death penalty.

--Aaron