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

[MartyMtnMama]

Is there a tread already on this case??? If not there need to be
Natalie Cochran indicted for 1st degree murder in death of Michael Cochran

 

[Laughing]

Is there a tread already on this case??? If not there need to be
Natalie Cochran indicted for 1st degree murder in death of Michael Cochran

Consider clicking Report in your post, and ask that the date & location be added to the thread title.

More:

Former Raleigh County pharmacist now faces murder charge - WV MetroNews

Natalie Cochran was sentenced in March to spend 11 years in federal prison for her role in a scheme involving fake government contracts. She pleaded guilty in September 2020 to wire fraud and money laundering. Michael Cochran owned two shell companies with his wife when he died.

jmho ymmv lrr

 

[fred&edna]

I found an older article. Interesting case

Cochran remains are exhumed

 

[JerseyGirl]

Trial date set in Cochran murder case - WV MetroNews

Burnside set the trial for June 6. The pre-trial hearing is scheduled for May 18.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Pharmacist purported to have poisoned husband will not see trial as scheduled

BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) - A pharmacist set to see trial in Raleigh County Circuit Court this month will now do

www.lootpress.com

The trial will now take place on May 1, 2023, with pre-trial hearings scheduled for April 19, 2023. Raleigh County Circuit Court Judge Robert Burnside will oversee the proceedings.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

While financial documents linked Michael to the scheme, the judge at Natalie’s federal sentencing noted her ongoing involvement. “Even while her husband lay dying,” U.S. District Court Judge Frank Volk said, “She was attempting to continue the perpetration of her extensive fraud and even in a more robust and thoughtful way.”

WV v. Natalie Cochran: Ponzi Scheme Murder Trial

Natalie Cochran will spend life in prison with no chance of parole for murdering her husband, Michael Cochran, while running a Ponzi scheme.

www.courttv.com

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[Mamamerced]

LAWYER Lee on Youtube is now highlighting this case. Popped-up on Youtube tonight 1/13/25.

 

[Maat99]

Maybe it is just me, but every time they show her face it looks like she has a dupers delight half smile.

 

[Weki]

So the victim was in on the ponzi scheme? He did it on his own parents? Wow.

What was the motive? Just getting into this case...

 

[imstilla.grandma]

The 12-member jury heard opening statements from the prosecution and defense Wednesday along with the first state witnesses.

<modsnip - posting more than 10% is a copyright violation - see link>

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

 

[alexwood]

So the victim was in on the ponzi scheme? He did it on his own parents? Wow.

What was the motive? Just getting into this case...

Well, the prosecution says that Natialie Cochran was the perpetrator and acted alone in the ponzi scheme. The defense, of course, says that Michael Cochran was in on it as well.

 

[Weki]

Well, the prosecution says that Natialie Cochran was the perpetrator and acted alone in the ponzi scheme. The defense, of course, says that Michael Cochran was in on it as well.

Yes, thank you. I'm just now listening to the defense cross of the first witness, and I gotta say defense is making a lot of good points. This first witness is terrible for the state. Arrogant and seemingly purposely obtuse with the defense questions. That's my impression so far, maybe it'll be all cleared up by the state that the husband had no idea about the ponzi scheme. Obviously, defense has to show the victim was in on the ponzi scheme so they can attack the motive.

JMO

 

[alexwood]

This case is new to me also. Haven't followed it. I'm wondering why Natalie Cochran stopped working as a pharmacist -- I guess it was to start the business with Michael, her husband. I need to do some reading from the beginning of this thread.

 

[alexwood]

I found an older article. Interesting case

Cochran remains are exhumed

This is my personal favorite from the article: "Tactical made donations to Shady Spring Middle School's football department and raised more than $32,000 by donating semi-automatic weapons as bingo prizes in February at a fundraiser at Shady Spring High School."
[BBM] Unbelievable!

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Next witness is a big one for the case - Chris Davis (top left). He’s been identified by the prosecution as Michael’s best friend. Chris is the one who drove Michael to the Beckley hospital on Feb 6, 2019 Chris is married to Jennifer who testified earlier yesterday


2:31 PM · Jan 16, 2025

 

[arielilane]

Yesterday's article:


BECKLEY, WV (WOAY)- After years of delays, dropped charges and re-indictments, and a new prosecuting attorney, the murder trial for former Beckley pharmacist and convicted white-collar criminal Natalie Cochran is finally underway.

Witness testimony underway in Natalie Cochran trial - WOAY-TV

BECKLEY, WV (WOAY)- After years of delays, dropped charges and re-indictments, and a new prosecuting attorney, the murder trial for former Beckley pharmacist and convicted white-collar criminal Natalie Cochran is finally underway. Natalie Cochran is accused of murdering her husband, Michael...

woay.com

1.15.2025

 

[arielilane]

When Chris came to check on Michael that night (Feb. 6, 2019), after receiving concerning text messages from Natalie talking of Michael’s worsening condition, Chris said there were several people there standing in the living room where Michael was lying on his back on the couch.


Chris said he walked over to Michael, shook him, spoke to him telling Michael to wake up, checked his eyes and feet for any time or response and after finding none, Chris said Michael needs to go to the hospital now and that’s what Chris did.


Sometime during Chris's testimony Donna Bolt, Michael's mother, entered the courtroom and is sitting with her husband Eddie.
Donna was released from testifying in the trial an hour ago because of unknown information…


that Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Tom Truman handed the judge after the lunch break.

@Jozy_Elizabeth

 

[arielilane]

Same court reporter for Pike County, OH. She does a fantastic job.

Natalie Cochran trial day 2 underway

Day 2 of the Natalie Cochran trial is underway, and WVVA is in the courtroom bringing you the latest updates.

www.wvva.com

1.16.2025

 

[alexwood]

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.

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


This is the witness that I missed testifying on Thursday when I had my computer crash.Her name is Glenda Epperly, she’s a retired Hospice Nurse who cared for Michael Cochran when he was transported to Hospice in Beckley. Glenda said Michael arrived…

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around 7:30 pm Feb. 10, 2019 and died just after midnight on Feb. 11, 2019. When Michael arrived Glenda had been told Michael had fallen at home, hit his head injuring his brain and that he was not expected to live long.

She said Michael was unresponsive but he was moaning as if in pain and moving some of his limps. To deal with the pain, she gave him sedation and pain meds through an IV every 15 mins until Michael died. Glenda said Natalie was at Michael’s bedside the entire time.