BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – After roughly an hour of deliberations, a jury declined to extend Natalie Cochran mercy. It’s the same jury that found her guilty yesterday of the murder of her husband, Michael Cochran, in 2019.
“Thank God is all I can say,” Donna Bolt, Michael Cochran’s mother, said.
It was an emotional final day of trial for both sides of the Cochran family. They spent it asking the jury asking for justice.
The jury considered two punishments. If they agreed to extend Natalie Cochran mercy, she would be eligible for parole in 15 years. If not, she would spend the rest of her life behind bars.
Witnesses called by the defense asked for mercy. Witnesses called by the state asked the jury to put Natalie Cochran behind bars for life.
Ultimately, the jury decided that Natalie Cochran did not deserve mercy. In a brief press conference immediately after the verdict, Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Tom Truman said he would like to know what specifically pushed the jury to decline mercy.
“I would like to know the answer to that question,” Truman said. “I think first of all, the nature of her actions was an issue. [There was] deception after deception after deception. If character was an issue, she had an uphill battle once she was convicted.”
The defense called Natalie Cochran’s sister, niece, aunt, parents, and two children to the stand. They painted the picture of a loving mother who was generous and kind before the murder of Michael Cochran, someone who was trying to serve even while serving a federal prison sentence.
In particular, multiple witnesses begged for mercy for the Cochran children. According to testimony, both of Natalie Cochran’s parents are 77 years old. Her mother and father acknowledged that they may not live 15 years, but said that the chance at parole would give the children hope of getting their mother back one day.
As in the trial, Natalie Cochran did not take the stand in her own defense to ask for mercy.
On the other side, the state called several of Michael Cochran’s friends and his parents to the stand, along with one of the investigators. They painted a picture of pain that Michael Cochran’s murder created.
One family friend testified that Michael Cochran became like a father to one of her sons after her husband passed away. She said her son still cannot talk about Michael Cochran’s death.
Donna Bolt testified that Natalie Cochran had spent years isolating Michael Cochran from her. She also said Natalie Cochran tried to keep her in the dark during Michael Cochran’s last days in the hospital and in hospice care.
As the trial concludes, Truman is thanking the investigators and members of his office who helped carry it across the line.
He’s also thanking former Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Ben Hatfield.
This case would never have happened without [Ben Hatfield]. He’s the one that got doctors Krieger and Uribe on board. Without them, this case would have never happened,” Truman said.
Hatfield resigned last fall amid widespread scrutiny over alleged misconduct. Truman was appointed to replace him.
Now that the trial is officially over, the attention turns to everyone whose lives were turned upside down by Michael Cochran’s murder. The state hopes there is peace to be found in justice.
“I am so happy that this jury saw through her and saw through what she is. I’m sorry for her family and for her children that they have to live with this now knowing that she will be behind bars for her life. But I do believe that this is justice served,” Ashley Acord, assistant prosecuting attorney, said.
For her part, Michael Brandon Cochran’s mother says she can start finding peace.
“Today, I feel like I was able to say what I wanted to say for Michael Brandon. We got justice for him today and he’s finally resting at peace,” she said.
Senior Status Judge H.L. Kirkpatrick presided over the case. Natalie Cochran is represented by attorneys Stanley Seldon and Matthew Victor. The case was prosecuted by Tom Truman and Ashley Acord. The lead investigators were Robert Hinzman and Timothy Bledsoe.