GUILTY WV - Michael Cochran, 38, allegedly killed by wife in ponzi scheme, Feb 2019 *arrest*

[arielilane]

NATALIE COCHRAN MURDER TRIALDay 3 of witness testimonyFirst witness call Jason Bowen - he was one of the construction workers that Natalie called to pick Michael off the kitchen floor when he passed out on Feb 6, 2019.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1880281278261624982

The other construction worker that Natalie called that day to pick Michael up off the floor died earlier this year in a car wreck.



Testimony from Jason Bowen that caught my attention - the Hospice nurse said she was told Michael hit his head and that’s what caused the injury that would likely kill him. Jason said he was not told Michael hit his head but that he “crumpled to the ground”…



…after puking in the kitchen sick. Other witnesses have testified that they checked Michael’s head on Feb. 6 2019 and they did not notice a knot or any visible head injury on Michael.

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


FBI Agent Joseph Stephens testifying nowHe’s a forensic scientistDefense is cross examining nowHe’s talking about the viles of liquids - I believe taken from Natalie Cochran’s home - that he was asked to test. One of those viles did contain insulin




Stephens says repeatedly that he can not answer those questions – his experience is the chemistry of insulin not specifically on how insulin reacts in the body.For those answers Stephens says they need to talk to an endocrinologist.


Defense Attorney Stanley Seldon doing the questioning of FBI Agent Joseph StephensSeldon is asking specific questions about Humalog insulin (Humalog is the brand name of the insulin) and how it works in the body, how quickly it takes effect.


The famous vile of insulin. They’re debating now how much “liquid” is in the vile. I’m pretty sure the defense has claimed Natalie did not use this vile on Michael because no insulin was missing from the vile.

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Annnnd here’s where the found the insulin vile. In the fridge next to some mini snickers and condiment packets.



11:10 AM · Jan 17, 2025

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Now they’re debating whether to vile of insulin was punctured when it arrived at the FBI lab for testing. Stephens said it is not in his expertise to identify marks on the bottle but that he took a picture of the top of the vile where a needle would go in to draw up the solution.



11:25 AM · Jan 17, 2025

 

[arielilane]

Trial of former Beckley pharmacist accused of killing her husband finally underway

After years of delays, dropped charges and re-indictments – as well as a new prosecuting attorney – a murder trial is finally underway for a former Beckley phar

wchstv.com

1.17.2025

 

[arielilane]

O.K. The FBI chemist is on the witness stand now. Analyzed some vials containing steroids and insulin. This made we question whether a bodybuilder who used steroids would also use insulin for any reason. This is what came up when I googled that question:

"Insulin is frequently used among bodybuilders and strength athletes, even without direct evidence of its anabolic effects. An increasing number of athletes without diabetes voluntarily use insulin, and evidence suggests that the extent of misuse is considerable and growing." [From Springer Open/sports medicine website Steroids, Insulin and Growth Hormone Abuse]

Now I'm thinking, she may get off.

Not sure what bodybuilders do now, however, it used to be, Sun - Thurs they are cutting out carbs, and Fri, start insulin to get water out from underneath their skin, to get a harder look (going for a hard as nails look). jmo

 

[alexwood]

I wondering if they could or did lift prints from the vial of insulin found in the refrigerator.

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Court is over for the day. A Friday miracle!! Apparently the state does not have any more witnesses that are available to speak today. The trial will resume at 9am Tuesday. The courthouse is closed Monday for the MLK holiday



11:56 AM · Jan 17, 2025

 

[ZZtosome]

Not sure what bodybuilders do now, however, it used to be, Sun - Thurs they are cutting out carbs, and Fri, start insulin to get water out from underneath their skin, to get a harder look (going for a hard as nails look). jmo

I know of some body builders that take insulin for their anabolic effects and help aid in glycogen production. Famously, Craig Titus (former Mr. Olympia and convicted for murder) listed his steroid use schedule and included use of insulin. Additionally, this article is interesting regarding “severe hypoglycemia due to cryptic insulin use in body builder.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0736467918310564

 

[alexwood]

The defense questioned the FBI chemist witness by asking him whether he could determine whether the vial of insulin he analyzed was the same vial of insulin that was given to Natalie Cochran by Jennifer Davis on Feb. 6, 2019. Jennifer Davis testified that Natalie Cochran had asked, during a text exchange between the two, to borrow a vial of insulin [Humalog, for which a prescription is required]. She did not supply any needles to Natalie Cochran with the vial.

Now that, to me, is highly suspicious because it was that same day that Mike Cochran collapsed on the kitchen floor of the home.

 

[alexwood]

I'll be glad when we get to the medical experts in this trial.

Natalie Cochran claimed (to Jennifer Davis, at least) that she had cancer and it was later disclosed, during the financial ponzi trial, that she did not have cancer -- that's why she asked Jennifer Davis for the insulin -- allegedly to counteract the side effects of steroids she was receiving as a component of her (fake) chemotherapy. At the very least, she's a liar. I believe she is guilty of murdering her husband, but that's just my own opinion.

 

[alexwood]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Court is over for the day. A Friday miracle!! Apparently the state does not have any more witnesses that are available to speak today. The trial will resume at 9am Tuesday. The courthouse is closed Monday for the MLK holiday



11:56 AM · Jan 17, 2025

And, although the Judge told the jurors that if they showed up on "Tuesday", they'd find that the Court was closed on account of Martin Luther King Day Holiday. So, the jurors had a "3-day" weekend to look forward to. That's o.k., Your Honor! We know what you really meant -- that Monday, 20 Jan 2025, is the real MLK Holiday! But, hopefully, the jurors will show up on Tuesday, 21 Jan 2025! I love this Judge -- The Honorable H. L. Kirkpatrick -- he is such a gentleman and very courtly.

 

[arielilane]

I'll be glad when we get to the medical experts in this trial.

Natalie Cochran claimed (to Jennifer Davis, at least) that she had cancer and it was later disclosed, during the financial ponzi trial, that she did not have cancer -- that's why she asked Jennifer Davis for the insulin -- allegedly to counteract the side effects of steroids she was receiving as a component of her (fake) chemotherapy. At the very least, she's a liar. I believe she is guilty of murdering her husband, but that's just my own opinion.

Yes, Id like to hear what medical experts reveal at trial. I havent followed this case closely though so may have missed some critical testimony.

The neighbor providing insulin to NC is of interest. Also, what's concerning is that the defense claims a dead man who cant defend himself...was taking medication - steroids that weren't for humans.



“He was taking medication–steroids–that were not for human consumption. There were some animal medications taken,” Victor said.

Jury hears opening statements in murder trial of former Raleigh County pharmacist - WV MetroNews

Prosecutors say Natalie Cochran killed husband with insulin; defense says motive is "absolute nonsense.

wvmetronews.com

1/15/2025

 

[arielilane]

They're attempting to get their next witness Piotr Kubiczek - chief medical examiner for the state dialed in with video conference.We're listening to hold music in the courtroom while his staff attempts to locate him.

CORRECTION: Kubiczek is the 1st Deputy Chief Medical Examiner for the West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner


...in I believe Polish for a bit to talk about the logistics. We shall see.


We can hear Kubiczek but we can’t see him on the monitors in the courtroom.The attorneys are talking about Kubiczek driving from his office in Charleston to Beckley to give testimony. Defense attorney Matthew Victor started talking to Kubiczek…


Truman just asked if Kubiczek could testify via facetime on his smart phone. Kubiczek replied that he had a flip phone, which had us all laughing.
Guess that’s a no then.

UPDATE: Kubiczek is getting a smart phone from one of his assistants This has delayed court by about 30 mins now.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1881775677818499235

 

[arielilane]

Then FBI Chemist Joseph Stephens took the stand. Stephens analyzed three vials of chemicals, once of which was identified as insulin.

WATCH LIVE: Day 4 of Natalie Cochran Trial underway

WVVA will bring you the latest updates as Day 4 of the trial progresses.

www.wvva.com

Updated: 2 hours ago

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Now introducing Dr Piotr Kubiczek. Finally! They’re bringing in the jury now so testimony should begin shortly.



1:52 PM · Jan 21, 2025

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Holding up a magic 8 ball - Kirkpatrick said this is the extend of my experience with technology. That is a of course a joke he said. Never a dull moment here.

Reason number 1,835,839 why Raleigh County Circuit Judge H.L. Kirkpatrick is my absolute favorite. He made a joke to the jury about all the technical difficulties the court was experiencing…

https://twitter.com/x/status/1881778620504629412

https://x.com/Jozy_Elizabeth

...Michael’s body had to be exhumed for Kubiczek to perform the autopsy – at the time of the autopsy, Michael's body had been embalmed and was in a state of decomposition

It is really hard to hear Kubiczek in the courtroomHe said that an autopsy was performed on Michael on Sept 4, 2019. Michael died Feb 11, 2019. Kubiczek said the autopsy was not performed sooner because it was initially believed that Michael died of natural causes...

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Kubiczek was been excused. Prosecution said the next witness is on their way from Dallas Texas and will not be here before the end of the day.The prosecution has no other witnesses available for today so he's sending the jury home.Wow another early day.



2:15 PM · Jan 21, 2025

 

[arielilane]

Right before we all left for the day - the judge made a request to the media present in the room (which is a lot) that they not film a 17 year old witness that will be called tomorrow. He said audio would be fine.The only juvenile that was been subpoenaed…


...is Michael and Natalie Cochran's son.The son has also been called to testify by the defense which means the prosecution is expecting to rest its case tomorrow.I asked Truman right afterward to confirm and he said yes and that they only have two more witnesses…


...to call - Timothy Bledsoe from the state police (retired), and Dr. Paul Uribe, a forensic pathologist from Texas.Uribe did the specialized insulin test on Michael's body when it was exhumed for the second time.

@Jozy_Elizabeth

 

[Mitch1]

IMO-So far her defense has done well to muddy the waters but the prosecution still has a REALLY good circumstantial case with this one. Both sides can bring all the medical experts they want but EVERYTHING leading up to his demise points to Melanie. I don’t even have a hard time with the mild suggestion she may also have been the cause of at least 1 of his other hospital visits. Melanie likes using medical issues to elicit sympathy or get out of things and on the same day her husband is going to learn just how foul and morally bankrupt she is, he ends up in the hospital on his literal death bed. Her taking that picture of her husband lying there helpless and sending out his vitals in a text just hit different. Smoke in mirrors