BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The high-profile murder trial of Natalie Cochran, a former pharmacist who pleaded guilty to operating a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme, resumes today with the defense presenting its case on Day 7. Cochran is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her husband, Michael Cochran, who died on February 11, 2019.
Background
Natalie Cochran’s legal troubles began when she was convicted in 2021 of federal wire fraud and sentenced to 135 months in prison for defrauding investors, including her late husband’s parents. Prosecutors allege that while her husband lay dying, Natalie continued orchestrating her fraudulent scheme.
Initially indicted for Michael’s murder in November 2021, those charges were dismissed in April 2023 to allow further investigation, including an exhumation and additional testing. Cochran was re-indicted in October 2023. If convicted of murder, she faces a potential life sentence.
Key Developments So Far
The trial has been marked by dramatic testimony from witnesses, conflicting accounts from the defendant, and medical evidence that raises questions about the cause of Michael’s death.
Day 6: Children Testify for the Defense
On Day 6, Natalie Cochran’s two children testified in support of their mother, portraying their father as a controlling figure with a dangerous dependency on steroids and supplements.
• Nicole Cochran, 20, recounted how her father took up to 40 supplements daily, leading the family to believe he was suffering from a brain tumor before his death. She described his declining health, noting his forgetfulness and physical symptoms like dizziness and headaches.
• M.A.C., 17, shared how his father frequently worked on “government contracts,” monitored his wife’s phone, and displayed controlling behavior. He also recalled family vacations and extravagant purchases funded by their apparent wealth.
• Natalie’s sister-in-law, Penny Lowery, testified about Michael’s steroid use, which she had unsuccessfully tried to discourage.
Day 5: The State Rests Its Case
Prosecutors closed their case with testimony from West Virginia State Police Trooper Timothy Bledsoe, who detailed three inconsistent accounts Natalie gave about her husband’s collapse.
• Natalie initially claimed Michael collapsed while in the kitchen. Later, she said he hit his head on the countertop. A third account included Michael injecting himself with insulin.
• Forensic pathologist Dr. Paul Uribe testified that Michael’s critically low blood glucose level (21) could only have resulted from a deliberate insulin overdose, leading him to rule the death a homicide.
Day 4: Expert Testimony on Michael’s Cause of Death
Medical experts struggled to pinpoint the exact cause of Michael’s death due to decomposition. However, they suggested hypoglycemia caused by an insulin overdose was the most likely explanation.
• Dr. Diane Krieger, a diabetes expert, stated that Michael’s severe hypoglycemia was not linked to natural causes or malnutrition, pointing instead to insulin as the likely culprit.
• An FBI forensic examiner confirmed that an insulin vial found at the Cochran home had been tampered with.
Defense Strategy
While the defense has yet to reveal its full strategy, they’ve attempted to cast doubt on Michael’s health and lifestyle as contributing factors in his death. Natalie Cochran is expected to testify in her own defense in the coming days.
As Day 7 begins, all eyes remain on the courtroom as this gripping trial unfolds, with Natalie Cochran’s fate hanging in the balance.
