Revival of a Decade-Old Case
More than a decade after McKenzie Cochran’s death during a struggle with security guards at a suburban Detroit shopping mall, four guards are now facing trial. The case, which was initially dismissed by the Oakland County prosecutor in 2014, was revived in 2021 when Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed involuntary manslaughter charges against the guards. The trial is set to begin this week, with jury selection starting on Monday.
The Incident at Northland Center
The incident occurred in January 2014 at the Northland Center in Southfield, Michigan. McKenzie Cochran, 25, was at the mall when security was called to a jewelry store due to reports that he was “acting crazy” and had allegedly threatened to kill someone. When Cochran, who was unarmed, refused to leave the mall as directed by the guards, a confrontation ensued. According to witnesses, Cochran was pinned face down on the floor and repeatedly told the guards, “I can’t breathe.” Despite his pleas, the guards continued to restrain him for up to 15 minutes, leading to his death by asphyxiation.
Legal Proceedings and Controversy
In 2014, the Oakland County prosecutor, after consulting with the U.S. Justice Department, declined to press charges against the guards, citing insufficient evidence to prove criminal negligence. However, the case gained renewed attention in 2020 amid the national reckoning over police conduct following the death of George Floyd. While the prosecution has not suggested that race played a role in Cochran’s death, the parallels between the two cases have sparked public interest and debate.
Defense attorneys argue that the revival of the case is politically motivated. Blake Wright, who represents one of the guards, stated, “It’s a politicization of the criminal justice system,” arguing that the case has been influenced by the broader national discourse on police misconduct. The defense maintains that the guards were merely trying to subdue Cochran, who they claim posed a threat during a chaotic situation.
Evidence and Expected Testimonies
A key piece of evidence in the trial will be the video footage of the incident, which the prosecution argues shows excessive force was used. Gerald Thurswell, an attorney who previously represented Cochran’s family in a civil lawsuit, emphasized that the guards’ actions were unjustified, stating, “You don’t kill somebody because they’re acting weird.”
The prosecution also plans to call Dr. Carl Schmidt, a former Detroit-area medical examiner, as a witness. Dr. Schmidt reviewed the autopsy records and testified in 2023 that Cochran’s death likely should have been classified as a homicide. He noted that while Cochran’s enlarged heart may have predisposed him to sudden death, the restraint used by the guards was a significant factor in his asphyxiation.
