Gay-porn producer
stabbed to death

A gay-porn producer was stabbed to death at his home in Dallas Township, Pa., and his house then set ablaze. The Associated Press reported that firefighters found Brian Charles Kocis Wednesday night while responding to a fire at his home. He was identified through dental records in an autopsy.

Luzerne County coroner John Consalvo told the AP he was able to determine that Kocis was murdered before the fire broke out because no burned particles were discovered in the victim's respiratory system.

Pennsylvania police lieutenant Frank Hacklin said that Kocis's past, acquaintances, and career are being investigated to find the culprit or motive behind his murder. He also said that the fire is likely to be a cover-up for the stabbing.

"We're definitely interested in any people he associated with," Hackin said in the article. "We need to know as much about this victim as we can, his time line, people he's been associated with, people he's been talking to. The victim's past is going to lead us to solve this crime."

Witnesses near the house said that as the blaze started to spread through the building, they saw a white or silver SUV leaving Kocis's driveway.

Police raided Kocis's home in 2001, the year his company, Cobra Video, was established, and and arrested him after finding more than 600 videos and a video production studio in his basement. He was also arrested in connection with multiple felony and misdemeanor sex offenses, including the July 2001 rape of a 15-year-old boy from South Whitehall Township, the AP said. According to court records, after Kocis met the teen online, the two engaged in sexual acts that Kocis videotaped. All but one of the charges in the case were dropped.

Cobra Video has a settlement conference scheduled for February 21 for breach of contract and trademark violations against an actor who appeared in several of its movies. The actor is accused of forging documents in order to appear in four films while underage. (The Advocate)