Natalie Cochran asks court for acquittal or a new trial

RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – In a significant post-trial development, Natalie P. Cochran, through her attorneys Matthew A. Victor and Stanley I. Selden, has filed motions seeking a judgment of acquittal or, alternatively, a new trial following her conviction for First-Degree Murder.

Motion for Judgment of Acquittal

Cochran’s legal team argues that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to convict her beyond a reasonable doubt. As a result, they are requesting that the court overturn the verdict and enter a judgment of acquittal.

Request for a New Trial

If the court denies the motion for acquittal, the defense is requesting a new trial based on several alleged legal errors that they claim impacted the fairness of the proceedings:

1. Denial of Change of Venue – The defense argues that the court should have granted a change of venue due to pretrial publicity.
2. Jury Sequestration – The trial court allegedly erred in refusing to sequester the jury.
3. Suppression of Evidence – The defense contends that the court improperly denied their motion to suppress a bottle of insulin seized from Cochran’s residence.
4. Exclusion of Evidence – The court ruled that the seized bottle of insulin was irrelevant, a decision the defense disputes.
5. Prejudicial Statements – The defense alleges that inflammatory statements made by state witnesses during sentencing unfairly influenced the jury.
6. Re-litigation of Federal Ponzi Scheme Case – Cochran’s legal team argues that the state improperly introduced details of her previous federal case during both the main trial and sentencing.
7. Improper Exhibits Presented to Jury – The defense claims that the jury was exposed to prejudicial materials, including photos of the victim, Michael Cochran, and syringes not introduced as evidence.
8. General Pretrial and Trial Errors – The defense is requesting a new trial based on any additional errors that may have occurred before, during, or after trial.
9. Cumulative Errors Violating Due Process – The motion asserts that the combined effect of these errors deprived Cochran of her constitutional right to a fair trial.

The State of West Virginia has formally opposed Natalie P. Cochran’s post-trial motions seeking a judgment of acquittal or a new trial, asserting that the defendant received a fair and lawful trial and that any alleged errors were harmless.

State’s Response to Defense Claims

The prosecution, led by Prosecuting Attorney Tom Truman, argues that the jury’s verdict was well-supported by evidence and should stand. The state’s key points in rejecting Cochran’s claims include:

1. No Basis for Change of Venue – The jury was properly questioned, and no objections were raised by the defense regarding the jury selection process.
2. No Evidence of Jury Misconduct – The defense failed to provide any proof that jurors ignored the court’s instructions regarding outside influences such as media coverage.
3. Lawful Search and Seizure – The insulin bottle seized from Cochran’s home was obtained legally under a federal magistrate’s search warrant, supported by probable cause.
4. Relevance of Insulin Bottle – The jury determined that the insulin bottle played a role in Michael Cochran’s death, making it a key piece of evidence.
5. Penalty Phase Evidence Was Properly Admitted – The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals allows character evidence in sentencing to provide a full picture of the defendant.
6. Prior Fraud Case Was Admissible – The prosecution was permitted to reference Cochran’s prior fraud case to establish motive and premeditation under Rule 404(b) of the West Virginia Rules of Evidence.
7. Photographic Evidence Was Not Prejudicial – The jury was shown pictures of Michael Cochran before and after the murder, but the state argues they were not unduly inflammatory.
8. Use of Syringes as Evidence Was Not Prejudicial – Both the defense and the prosecution introduced demonstrative evidence, including syringes, negating any claim of unfair prejudice.
9. Catch-All Allegations Lack Merit – The prosecution dismissed the defense’s broad allegations of trial errors as vague and unsupported.

Prosecution’s Final Argument

The state maintains that the jury reached a fair and just verdict based on lawful evidence and proper procedures. Prosecutor Tom Truman has urged the court to deny Cochran’s motions, ensuring that her conviction and sentencing remain intact.

The court is expected to rule on these motions in the coming weeks, marking a critical moment in Natalie P. Cochran’s legal battle.