WILKES-BARRE – Accused killers Harlow Cuadra and Joseph Kerekes had plenty to say last week shortly before pleading not guilty to killing Bryan Kocis.

A subdued Mr. Cuadra maintained his innocence, saying “I didn’t kill him,” and that it was “not right” the Luzerne County district attorney’s office was seeking the death penalty in the case. The 26-year-old also insinuated two men named Brian and Grant knew more than he did about the murder.

A much more defiant Mr. Kerekes verbally attacked the Pennsylvania State Police as he was escorted into the courthouse by sheriff’s deputies for seizing his and Mr. Cuadra’s assets. The 33-year-old said he believes money was taken from him and Mr. Cuadra – his romantic and business partner – in order to limit the quality of defense they can mount against the charges.

“I’m very angry they took $200,000 of our money,” Mr. Kerekes said emphatically. “We need money for an adequate defense.”

Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney Tim Doherty declined to comment on Mr. Kerekes’ allegations, citing Luzerne County Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr.’s order that limits attorneys from publicly discussing aspects of the case.

As for the plea, Mr. Kocis’ parents were in the front row of the courtroom, looking on when attorneys for both Mr. Cuadra and Mr. Kerekes said their clients were not guilty and wanted a trial.

When Judge Olszewski asked Mr. Kerekes how he wanted to plead, he started to say “absolutely not” before he was interrupted by attorney Jonathan Blum, his public defender. Mr. Blum, not Mr. Kerekes, entered the plea. Mr. Kerekes later asked if he could say something. Judge Olszewski turned to him and said “no.”

Attorneys Frank and Joseph Nocito had been retained by Mr. Kerekes, but they are “no longer involved” in the case, Frank Nocito said after Thursday’s proceedings. Although Frank Nocito did not provide a reason, Mr. Kerekes hinted that he and Mr. Cuadra were out of money when he shouted out the name of two Web sites where supporters could donate money to pay for their defense.

Judge Olszewski set a March 24 trial date and scheduled a Dec. 21 status conference in the case. There are several issues that will likely need to be addressed before any trial could begin.

In addition, the district attorney’s office announced its intentions to jointly try Mr. Cuadra and Mr. Kerekes for Mr. Kocis’ murder. A similar attempt at a joint trial in another Luzerne County murder case, involving suspects Hugo Selenski and Paul Weakley, was denied by Judge Chester Muroski. The decision has been appealed to the state Superior Court.

Defense attorneys for Mr. Cuadra and Mr. Kerekes could fight for separate trials as well.

Mr. Blum also made a motion to have Mr. Cuadra moved from the Lackawanna County Correctional Facility to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility. Mr. Blum indicated it would be easier for the public defenders’ office to meet with Mr. Cuadra if he was kept at the Water Street jail in Wilkes-Barre until his trial.

Mr. Doherty and Assistant District Attorney Michael Melnick told Judge Olszewski that Mr. Cuadra is jailed in Lackawanna County to keep him apart from Mr. Kerekes apart. Judge Olszewski directed Mr. Doherty and Mr. Melnick to talk to Luzerne County Warden Gene Fischi. If Mr. Cuadra and Mr. Kerekes could be held without the opportunity to interact, Judge Olszewski wants Mr. Cuadra moved back to Luzerne County prison.