BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A pharmacist set to see trial in Raleigh County Circuit Court this month will now do so in late Spring following a Wednesday decision from the court.
Natalie Cochran, 40, was indicted for First Degree Murder in violation of West Virginia Code ยง61-2-1 by a Special Session of the Raleigh County Grand Jury in November, and now stands accused of premeditated murder.
The charge stems from the February 11, 2019 of Michael Cochran, 38 of Daniels, West Virginia, whom Natalie Cochran is accused of having poisoned.
Though the trial was initially scheduled to be held in December, a number of issues including ongoing discovery and technical conferencing problems contributed to its delay according to Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Ben Hatfield.
The trial will now take place on May 1, 2023, with pre-trial hearings scheduled for April 19, 2023. Raleigh County Circuit Court Judge Robert Burnside will oversee the proceedings.
Cochran received sentencing last year to 135 months in federal prison for unrelated charges pertaining to the fraudulent practices of two local businesses of which she was the owner.
Court documents, as well as plea and sentencing hearing admissions indicate that Cochran, through her Technology Management Solutions (TMS) and Tactical Solutions Group (TSG) businesses in Beckley defrauded from several people and companies, as well as a financial institution from 2017 to at least 2019.
On September 21, 2020, Cochran pled guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering.
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