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

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Defense attorney Matthew Victor is asking Nicole about her lifestyle from 2016-18

Victor – was it a good life at the time
Nicole – financially, yes
She said they were very well off financially.
Victor asked about all the purchases. Nicole said her father bought cars...

..., was planning to buy a hanger and other expensive purchases

https://twitter.com/x/status/1882439585407639748

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Nicole is talking about all the supplements she saw her father takeSaid he took around 40 supplements “enough to fill a dinner plate”She said Michael would scoop them up in his hand and washing them down with water from the sink...

Nicole said most of the pill supplements were from GNC in the local mallShe also said Michael told her that he took steroids from Mexico that he consumed by using a dropperVictor asked if Michael ever injected anything. Nicole said she did not know.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1882440766787629495

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


When Michael Cochran was hospitalized in Nov. 2018 Nicole said she visited her father and he told her very nice things – he told her how smart she was and how he appreciated her intelligenceNicole said she considered it as her “goodbye” from her father...

...She said Michael told her he wanted to tell her these things incase he never got a chance to later


After Michael got back from the hospital in late 2018 – Nicole said Michael complaint of frequent headaches and that he slept often.Nicole said people wanted Michael to stop taking the steroids but he did not.


Victor - The day before you father collapsed how did he feel?
Nicole - He was still feeling all the symptoms - irritability, headaches, lack of appetite – but that was normal for him because he’d been that was for so long.
Victor – was he forgetful?
Nicole – yes.



NatalieCochran watching as her daughter testifies. They’re talking about Natalie’s cancer now. Nicole said her mom went to several clinics and was diagnosed with blood cancer which was “concerning” Nicole said her mother also had heart problems




Victor - Was your father a happy man?
Nicole – No
Victor - When was the happiest you ever saw him?
Nicole - When we had money


Prosecution now questioning Nicole

https://twitter.com/x/status/1882444587027017904

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Prosecutor Tom Truman asking about what Nicole knew about her mother and father’s businesses.Nicole said her mom #NatalieCochran stopped being a pharmacist in 2016 or 17 because Michael asked her toNicole said she saw her dad on the computer all the time and...

...he told her he was working on state and federal contracts Nicole said she never saw her mom doing any work for the businesses



10:12 AM · Jan 23, 2025

 

[arielilane]

Judge calls for 10/15 minute mid-morning break

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Nicole said she got home from school after taking the bus at around 2:45-3 p.m. Feb 6, 2019Nicole said her dad was on the couch sleeping and “snoring”Nicole said she thought it was 4 p.m. when her father was taken to the hospital, but she was not too concerned...

...about the time on that dayOther witnesses have said Michael was not taken to the hospital till after 8 p.m.

Nicole has been excused.We are now taking a break.

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Defense just said their next witness will be Penny (Carrico - sp?) Lowery - Natalie's sister. Witnesses have said Penny and #NatalieCochran changed Michael after he urinated on himself on Feb. 6, 2019



10:28 AM · Jan 23, 2025

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Now that she is done testifying #NatalieCochran daughter Nicole can be in the gallery of the courtroom. The two are chatting now, along with Natalie’s mom Daphne, during the break.


10:37 AM · Jan 23, 2025

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Penny (Carrico) Lowery - Natalie’s older sister by 12 years now testifying




Penny said she saw Michael take many supplements for many years that he kept in the cabinetsPenny said the supplements were so Michael could be “buffer”Penny said he often told him to stop taking the supplements – but Michael would laugh and say no...

...Penny said she saw him inject something once while they were on vacation but she did not know the names of any of the supplements

Before Michael’s death – Penny said Michael was dizzy and foggy, throwing up often and had “seizure like activity” - she thought it was mold poisoning. Penny said Michael's health was worsening in the years before his health

After going to the hospital in November, Penny said Michael told her never again – that if he ever woke up in a hospital again he would be furious and would “never forgive” whoever put him there

https://twitter.com/x/status/1882459589142286592

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Penny said that Michael ate out “every day” which I found odd considering the defense has painted Michael as being very concerned about his health and appearance. But maybe that's why he worked out - so he could eat whatever he wanted. I could understand that...

Penny said Michael went to Chili’s frequently. Penny said Michael always paid for everything when she went places with them

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Penny said Nicole called her around 4 p.m. Feb. 6, 2019 to come to the house because “Mom needed help.”When Penny got to the house, Penny said she helped get Michael situated on the couch because he had “slumped off”…

...and then she also helped change Michael because he’d had an “accident”

Penny said she invested in #NatalieCochran and Michael's businesses – though she mostly dealt with Natalie when it came to the moneyPenny said she does not know how much she invested. She did receive some checks signed by Michael, but she thinks…

...she lost about $50k as a result of the Ponzi scheme.


Penny said she was texted one of the pictures of Michael passed out in the kitchen floor on Feb. 6, 2019. Prosecution showed Penny the photo on the projection screen and is leaving it up for the entire courtroom to see...


Family members are not visibly crying because of the photo. Victor made an objection asking that the photo be taken down - the judge agreed.

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Victor – do you remembers a time in August 2018 when #NatalieCochran and Michael came to your school and said they only wanted you to deal with Michael for businesses stuff
Penny – Yes, but I don’t know the date


Penny said there was a divot or dent in the coriander kitchen countertop where #NatalieCochran said Michael hit his head. Penny said she saw the divot. Penny has now been dismissed and has joined her mother and family in the gallery

https://twitter.com/x/status/1882465949787574342

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Thomas Treadway testifying - he’s a friend of the family - he also did graphics for the Cochran’s businesses. Treadway also invested a “significant” amount in the business and said he normally dealt with Michael



11:33 AM · Jan 23, 2025

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Thomas Treadway said Michael seemed off and not himself before he died, not himself
Vitor – What was (Michael) like when he was himself?
Thomas – Focused
In Jan & Feb of 2019 – Thomas said Michael was confused, there was an incident at Panera...

...where Michael seemed to not know what was going on Thomas said Michael was also “wired”

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Thomas said he did not want to cooperate with the state’s investigation
Tom - no you said they wouldn’t get “” from you
Thomas - I told them no thank you - to helping
Tom then shows Thomas the messages he sent



11:53 AM · Jan 23, 2025

 

[arielilane]

@Jozy_Elizabeth


Thomas said he did not cooperate with investigators because he read an article that named Bledsoe and Hinzmen – the investigators in #NatalieCochran case – where it accused them of witness tampering in another case.Tom said Thomas can’t prove there was merit to the report...

...Thomas just said he knew what he had read.


Thomas has been dismissed.We are now breaking for lunch.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1882472939838394380

 

[arielilane]

Recess until 1:00 p.m. ET

 

[arielilane]

@cathyrusson


What is this?? Judge in #NatalieCochran cleared the courtroom of everyone but him and the defense. No state, media, public,etc.. to advise the defendant of her right to testify and her decision. That is not ex-parte/private. I don't understand. Help me out attorney friends! Is this something specific to West Virginia?



4:18 PM · Jan 22, 2025

Cathy Russon reposted
@PhilipCDube


W Virginia treats the trial testimonial colloquy as an intrusion into attorney client communications and work product. Those conversations are deemed privileged from disclosure in court. As a workaround, the judge clears the courtroom, takes the testimony and orders the hearing sealed and available only upon order of the court.



7:51 AM · Jan 23, 2025

 

[arielilane]

Our informative reporter @Jozy_Elizabeth responded as well:

Cathy Russon reposted

@Jozy_Elizabeth


I was told he does this with all defendants during trials. Kirkpatrick has been a judge for 30 years.



12:24 PM · Jan 23, 2025

 

[arielilane]

It makes sense to me, falls under attorney - client privilege. moo