New Times Leader article here: "Cuadra case was a work in progress, right up to verdict"Perhaps not surprisingly, this is one post-game report which holds few revelations for us all, having combed over the affidavit, trascripts and court filings on PC's blog for over two years. And even those revelations are minor:
- "Three more search warrants followed on Jan. 29 for phone records belonging to Sean Lockhart, Merlin Lee Bergeron and e-mails traced to a computer at Indiana University in Indiana." Presumably, all were people Bryan talked to on the day he died. Sean we knew about. Lee we long suspected, and this prooves it. The Indiana University connection to the case I actually ran across a while back, in an obscure news article, and has always been a mystery. And still is.
- "“It was a work in progress as soon as the victim was found right up until the verdict was read,” Krawetz said. “Believe it or not, there were still interviews being performed during the trial." The prosecution was railroaded!
- "County District Attorney Jacqueline Musto Carroll said the investigation cost from her office exceeds $100,000 with bills still coming in." And that's just the investigation I guess, not the legal work (both prosecution and public defenders).
56 comments:
The RS article had a reference to the PSP interviewing an IU student at length. One former Cobra model that I know of is a 2006 graduate of IU and was a student when he appeared in Cobra scenes. Cobra may have been one of those campus jobs that gets passed from acquaintance to acquaintance.
Yeah, another model is a possibility.
The way I recall this, it was a potential model Bryan was in contact with around the time of his murder.
LOL
Just thought we might need some cheering up this morning.
Yes, I saw that on the Sword a few days ago. No end to his creativity in generating publicity, I must say.
Slumming in low class gyms is going to be Mason's ruination, if filing false police reports is not.
Try Connor Ashton. He attended Indiana University. There was also an Indiana police officer on the original witness list.
Something else that was uncovered. Cobra models were strictly forbidden to use their Cobra model names in setting up email addresses. When fans wrote in seeking an exchange with any particular model, that fan was actually dealing with Bryan Kocis or Robert Wagner who were using the model's name. Models were expressly forbidden to contact fans or others using their model names.
As at Boybatter. Sounds like a fairly standard practice in the industry, to shield the talent from nutty fans and other studios from poaching.
Actually Jim no this is not industry practice even at the Twink only studios.
Bryan's biggest two rivals Kevin Clarke (in the early years) and Helix Studios.net today have models interacting with fans on all the social nets and their own blogs.
No one but Bryan claimed "ownership" over his models or expected "control" or seemed to fear fans getting to close to the models.
Boybatter using the bordello to stock their videos well now they were not a legitimate Porn Studio.
In other words Joe and Harlow would have exercised the same "control" over the Boybatter models you would expect from two pimps.
A sense of Ownership...
Rob, you may have gotten that from one of my posts in late 2007. I assumed at the time of the RS article that Connor Ashton was the IU student mentioned, but subsequent information makes that overcome by events. Connor lives or lived in Chicago, but I can't find any further connection to the midwest.
"DeWayne said...
Actually Jim no this is not industry practice even at the Twink only studios..."
Ah, I stand corrected!
Jim anyone else having a problem posting a comment using your Google account?
Oh before I forget and get in trouble with "good" Bryan ;)
BoyCrush has an open forum where fans and models interact in addition to the heavy BoyCrush presence on the Social Nets.
(comment note I uh had to clear my cache in Firefox to post)
"Jim anyone else having a problem posting a comment using your Google account?"
Not that I've noticed.
Geoff I am indebted to you. That RS article was a treasure storehouse that caused me to dig deeper.
You have good instincts.
DeWayne you are correct. When I shot The American Way models had contact with the public throughout the shoot in real time. Their emails were listed and the emails went directly to them. I followed that practice throughout my career.
"Models were expressly forbidden to contact fans or others using their model names."
There could be many reasons for this. Many porn models turn tricks. Could have been to stop them doing that.
If those rules were in the contracts and the models signed the contracts, it was obviously acceptable to them.
Alas as Bryan is no longer here, we shall never know his reasons.
Cobra is NOT the only company that did this.
BB. I understand Bryan was brutally murdered. I understand that there were people who cared about him. I have however have had enough of St. Bryan of Lucerne county. I will prepare my thoughts and post them as this man was as abusive and nasty as they come.
I abhor his death, but his death did not change who and what he was, any more that the murders of John Geoghan and Jeffery Dahmer turned them into nice guys. .
Kevin, I was addressing the issue raised. The issue has nothing to do with the character of Bryan Kocis.
As for St Bryan of whereva... don't know what your talking about.
I have never shared my thoughts and believes regarding Bryan Kocis.
"Cobra is NOT the only company that did this."
OK, well, thats what I thought at first, but I've been told by people more knowledgable than I differently, so...?
Lets settle it this way. BB, can you name one other company that did this, besides "Boybatter?"
is the rolling stone article online anywhere? i never could find it.
tks.
I don't think so.
Zach if you pick up a copy of RS, there is a page that references to back issues and how to order those. You should read that article, but do keep in mind that the reporter was anti-gay and definitely anti Sean and Grant. Also, dates were in error.
Jim, you aren't paying attention! I already thanked Jason Ridge for posting the Rolling Stone article here and here..
Um, sorry, I just noticed that the incompetent Jason Ridge posted a faulty copy of the first page of the RS article. But it's better than nothing.
It would be funny if RS filed a copyright complaint. :-)
This comment appeared on the myspace page of Harlow's youngest brother: piccie
Harlow's family seems to try for a new trial.
"Harlow's family seems to try for a new trial."
Heh, why not, the first one was so much fun...
Honestly though, do they realize how close Harlow came to death row? 4 votes away.
A new trial ain't gonna happen, but I'm just sayin'.
"Lets settle it this way. BB, can you name one other company that did this, besides "Boybatter?"
I could, but I won't :)
Beebs advances the gourdification of Bryan: promises much, delivers nothing.
Rob,
Still not over yourself I see :)
brynawel said...
Harlow's family seems to try for a new trial.
----
I guess they need to take up another collection.
I wonder if Harlow's client is up for another $70,000? Love knows no boundaries, and love can conquer all!
I wonder if Mitch Halford was the source of the $70k, or if he were merely the intermediary. it is perfectly legal for a group of individuals to make gifts to Mitch Halford totaling $70k. It is then perfectly legal for Mitch to donate a similar amount to the Harlow legal defense fund. Did Mitch out of love and affection stroke a check out of his own account, or did a pro work his Rolodex to generate that money to benefit a third party who needed Harlow's silence?
FWIW, he testified under oath he donated the money, and that he was "in love" with Harlow.
Jim, Mitch's testimony could literally be true, even if he accepted upfront reimbursement.
Geoff Harvard said...
I wonder if Mitch Halford was the source of the $70k, or if he were merely the intermediary. it is perfectly legal for a group of individuals to make gifts to Mitch Halford totaling $70k.
----
There was talk coming from either Renee or the Cuadra family very early on about a very well to do client that was up for helping to the tune of a 100 grand.
And also a web/blog keeper on Harlow's site that said he gave 25 grand towards the defense funding.
So I think the money came from Mitch Halford, and that he was in lust with Harlow.
Harlow being a very good actor escort, and Mitch Halford being a top paying client, I can see how it went as far as it did.
Harlow had the keys offered to him to the house.
See, this is the sad part, had Harlow taken those keys, played the part of the kept boy toy, he'd have been set for life for sure, could have gone back to school, could have done anything he wanted, even staring in films with Corrigan on the side.
Instead he stuck with Joe sinking in a sea of debt thinking up deranged plans while running on borrowed time, and imaginary goals.
He'll have plenty of time to rethink all those offers, and all the cash and keys he could have accepted. I think Joe's appearance on the stand was good for Harlow in that now he finally knows he is flying solo. It took a couple years for Harlow to even get that far. Another four or five years it will be even more clear.
QUICKYSRT said
Instead he stuck with Joe sinking in a sea of debt thinking up deranged plans while running on borrowed time, and imaginary goals.
I see the discussion is now partly coming around to the point where it's plausible that Harlow is or might be seen as Joes' victim in this (almost a 180 degree turn from the verbal hatred expressed at him in the last 2 weeks). It looks and sounds like he was undeniably there, but I'll wager he was there at Joe's hand. I haven't seen anything in his behaviour that says he's agressive and capable of this on his own or without drugs. Are there any archived clips that someone can point out which will change my opinion? In lieu, I can't wait to read the sealed documents!
re pro work it,
i believe the client that he was in love...
everyone knew that they would have to meet with the authorities, the client first tried to give an alibi for harlow and then told the truth, supposedly, but i believe it. at that point, after you've been told all u've done wrong, u get a pass if u testify, i don't think they're going to lie. and re others, if that prominent, ur only compounding the issue, hence, keep ur head down and hope. at best, make a very subtle pass at the ones controlling the direction of the case..
Beebs--
Your filthy shitbox blog still contains lies about Sean and Grant. Spring is a great time for clearing out trash. Get yourself a good shovel to remove all that bullshit you have accumulated.
"There was talk coming from either Renee or the Cuadra family very early on about a very well to do client that was up for helping to the tune of a 100 grand."
Quicky, the way you do this is get on the blower to reliable contributors and get 35 of them to contribute $2,000. Then you get a patsy to bundle it. That way the real contributors don't have to expose themselves.
"Get yourself a good shovel"
I second that notion!
Geoff,
FWIW, I think it was 100 percent Mitch Halford - all on his own [sad and] lonely behalf.
And he is not done!!
unanswered_questions said...
QUICKYSRT said
Instead he stuck with Joe sinking in a sea of debt thinking up deranged plans while running on borrowed time, and imaginary goals.
I see the discussion is now partly coming around to the point where it's plausible that Harlow is or might be seen as Joes' victim in this (almost a 180 degree turn from the verbal hatred expressed at him in the last 2 weeks). It looks and sounds like he was undeniably there, but I'll wager he was there at Joe's hand. I haven't seen anything in his behaviour that says he's agressive and capable of this on his own or without drugs.
----
That is true from my pov too UQ, I think Joe planted the idea in Harlow's head, helped with back of the house admin. and logistical support while Harlow left the trial of evidence on e, cc, and cell, and went in to do as told by Joe.
Harlow's family knows two things, Harlow would have never done anything like this without Joe's prodding. And that Harlow is not the brightest guy on the planet.
He got suckered in by his misplaced respect and desire to please Joe. Not being bright enough to know when to say I'm outta here. There was also a lusty desire to be the bottom for Brent on video.
It is just so sad for Bryan's family, and Harlow's also. Harlow struck me in court as just slightly effeminate, and looks gentle as a lamb.
Something happened to him in his past, and another thing happened to him with Joe, and what tiny speck of smarts he had went right out the window that night.
Funny that Renee was really down on Joe for the first three quarters, and then at the last quarter here she has switched over to blaming mainly Harlow as a real con artist.
Bottom line, Harlow got into the house with evil on his mind, did the first assault on Bryan, and let Joe into the house. Joe on tape describes the inside of the house, so I doubt he came by to see how the porn audition was going.
I told Bryan's Dad that this really did not have to happen, that they all could have made cash out of it.
Another couple at the trial said "they had it all" so I don't understand why this had to kill anyone.
These two ladies (retired court workers) were there in court behind me telling me how they retired, but now had finally got around to seeing a trial. They asked me what it is like being a porno star from California? And how can you photograph a penis and make it look good?
I had to explain that I am not in porn at all. They stayed for about four days of the trial, glancing over at me whispering "California" (my nick name) something or another, never believing me that I was not in porn.
Some there thinking I look very much like Bryan, others thinking I am a porn model from California. And yet others not knowing who I am but noticing that I am "on the case" all over both sides.
Quite a wild ride though a bizarre trial there I must say. I got my monies worth out of that show.
V.J. said...
Geoff,
FWIW, I think it was 100 percent Mitch Halford - all on his own [sad and] lonely behalf.
And he is not done!!
----
Yep, the "Harlow is blessed" headlines threw me at first. His blog claiming he was blessed struck me as odd, knowing the guy is going down hard. But then reading about Mr. deep pockets. It made sense, but I still never saw harlow as blessed after that snowy cold Jan. night.
I don't think Harlow's family ever really knew him. At least since he joined the navy to flee that dysfunctional family.
He stated his motives pretty clearly, down there on that beach; he felt like killing Kocis, who had Harlow on the Cobra casting couch, was akin to getting revenge on the stepfather who molested him all those years.
And Joe had nothing to do with that stepfather.
"Another couple at the trial said "they had it all" so I don't understand why this had to kill anyone."
Did their horrific debt situation make it into evidence? Seems like people are overlooking that.
jim said...
"Another couple at the trial said "they had it all" so I don't understand why this had to kill anyone."
Did their horrific debt situation make it into evidence? Seems like people are overlooking that.
----
In closing remarks Melnick might have brought that up, I was not there.
But during the tapes being played in court, Melnick gave Harlow a hard stare when that part of the BBTs were being played, about near bankruptcy. Everyone was keeping their eyes to the printed booklets, but Melnick felt like looking up, and at Harlow that very moment, a cold hard stare. So I took it that that fact was notable to him.
But since he was making notes on those pages as they were being played, circling some sentences with yellow and red highlighters, he had not really made up his mind completely how he was going to close his arguments yet.
That statement (Melnick to the press post trial) strikes me as correct that they were working the case right to the end of the trial and did not have it all set in stone how they'd precede.
There were some moments where there was sloppy presentation from Melnick and team. Like playing the into to the tapes with "testing" coming out of the speakers hundreds of times. Finally judge PPO said stop! Can we skip this, it is a waste of time to hear testing 15,000 times?
Things like this told me the prosecution was in deep with work on this case, and did not have time to think about the too long intros on the tapes. Little details like that were sloppy. The evidence was not in story form, or chron order.
I still never figured out what it mattered that Harlow stayed at VB Marriot and Hilton for about 9 days total. He did not feel safe at home anymore, that was on the tapes. But if they gassed your home and busted in the doors, you would not either.
Melnick is not a story builder type with details, but lays out the facts in a stark cold way. His order placement was arranged for impact, not to tell a story.
Perhaps he knew that there are missing pieces of the story, better just tell the facts and let the jury piece them together.
But anyway Jim, there was not much about debt at all. Perhaps they just wanted this case to be about pure greed, and you don't need debt for that angle.
"How do you photograph a penis and make it look good"?
LOL!
That is too cute! and classic.
Seriously though Quicky it does sound like that trial was an experience you will never forget.
Very much of what you say regarding Harlow being a bit slow- [more than a bit] and that he would not have done this without Joe being in his life- that makes sense to me- but unfortunately it still makes him guilty IMO.
Quite right V.J.
He did it and now will pay for it. Harlow's life will either be cut short brutally, or spent in years, and years, and years remembering the cars and high life, money, being an object of desire. Life in the clink for Harlow could be worse than death as Jody has already noted.
And yes, I will never forget that trial, the families, and Harlow, etc. How it came about that I went, wow! An unforgettable experience all right, one of those things we don't have happen very often. Thanks again VJ.
The way I was able to go there and walk into that court drama, and see it unfold. You would have to know the background and details here to see and hear it, and be sensitive enough, and be a little bit bold too.
It was the right thing for me to do at this time in my life. I think I was able to cut through some of the distractions, and spill out what I was thinking. And at the same time not be exploitive and callous towards the human emotions. There is that fine line.
I think I have been changed by this, and I hope I am now a person who appears more sensitive and kind.
One thing V.J. that I want to mention. The fact that you and others helped me arrive there, and get this other angle we were not going to get any other way, keeping that in mind, I decided that I would post as much detail about that experience(s), and not hold anything back (for later article). So that the contributors who made it happen (you and the others know who they are), would get something for being so helpful, swift, and cool. In other words, you guys deserved the best of what I could do to get us some answers to some of the questions. I might write an article about it using my posts as source material. But I decided (in PA) that I was not intentionally going to keep some stuff for later, because of the help I received, it would have been uncool. That is why I have continued posting some thoughts as I recall them. There was an effort to shareas much as possible. But I still might write an article later, I don't know.
Quicky--
You should write that article. Your observations made all of these people at the trial three dimensional.
You have terrific sense of what engages readers and a keen sense of observing for those little touches that pique curiousity. Write your article. You have earned that right.
Quicky I think how you worked out your reporting was for the best. You have shared your insight and observations on all the blogs.
If you decide on an all encompassing article I would hope that you would post it here.
Silence of the Chinchillas has been almost without exception the most fair and balanced blog.
How do we know this?
Because Jim has been pushed poked and prodded by the Harlowites,Kocis partisans and Brent aficionados (note I get my spin in) ;)
At one time or the other we have all been Happy or MAD at Jim...
That means he was doing an exemplary job of commentary and factual analysis.
So Quicky a final Trial roundup would be a welcome addition here.
"Silence of the Chinchillas has been almost without exception the most fair and balanced blog."
Ha, I bet many will take issue with that! Even I'm having a bit of time buying it...
It's pretty obvious that I have biases, which I have actually striven to make obvious. And least I HOPE I've obviously made them obvious.
I think it's more along the lines of Jim being the most honest aggregator of what went on during the trial.
Everyone has a point of view and Jim's been very clear from the get go about what his is, who he thought did it and how he thought things were going to turn out.
Doing so allowed him to also let others post their point of view and all the equally related parts. Everyone always knew pretty much where everyone stood, from the host on down.
I personally think Jim did this so he could laugh hysterically in open blog-space at all the people who proposed crazy theories over the two years.
Maybe I'm just projecting though.
:-D
"I personally think Jim did this so he could laugh hysterically in open blog-space at all the people who proposed crazy theories over the two years.
Maybe I'm just projecting though."
Well yes, that has been a fringe benefit, hasn't it. :-)
I think you know what I mean and Jody clarified this.
You Jim can be fair and balanced and express your opinion as well.
While we all knew what you thought of Harlows and Joe from the start, you always allowed a free flow of divergent views and discussion.
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