BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Natalie Cochran murder trial resumed Monday, January 27, after a break on Friday due to scheduling conflicts with defense witnesses. Day seven of the proceedings brought significant developments, including Cochran’s decision not to testify in her own defense, a move confirmed on the record by the presiding judge.
Cochran, accused of murdering her husband, Michael Cochran, opted to let her defense rest on expert testimony. Two defense witnesses took the stand, challenging the state’s claim that Michael’s death was caused by a fatal insulin dose.
Both experts concurred with the state’s medical examiner, who originally declared Michael’s cause and manner of death as “undetermined” following the autopsy. They argued that Dr. Paul Uribe, the state’s expert who conducted a secondary autopsy, could not substantiate his conclusion that insulin poisoning was the cause of death. Decomposition of Michael’s body by the time of Uribe’s examination made further tissue analysis unreliable, according to defense testimony.
Dr. Priya Banerjee, a forensic pathologist, highlighted that Michael’s urine sample contained benzodiazepine, a controlled substance for which he had no prescription. Banerjee noted that misuse of the drug could lead to serious health issues, including sudden death caused by heart arrhythmia.
The trial also heard from Dr. Zachary Halsey, the Cochran family physician, who treated Natalie Cochran for flu-like symptoms on February 5 and 6, prior to Michael’s collapse. According to Halsey, Natalie tested negative for both the flu and strep throat but reported vomiting overnight. He prescribed promethazine to manage her nausea and stated that her condition appeared serious enough that he would not have advised her to travel on February 6—the day the couple was scheduled to meet with bankers in Lynchburg, Virginia.
As the trial continues, the defense seeks to dismantle the prosecution’s theory of insulin poisoning while raising questions about alternative explanations for Michael Cochran’s death.
The court is expected to hear closing arguments in the coming days.
