Trial of Northland Mall security guards charged in connection with 2014 death of McKenzie Cochran

SOUTHFIELD, Michigan. – The trial of three security guards accused of manslaughter in the 2014 death of a Ferndale man at Northland Mall. Southfield will continue on Tuesday, August 20th.

The jury was seated on Monday, August 19, and the trial began shortly thereafter. So far, the jury has heard opening statements and testimony from a paramedic who was called to Northland Mall.

Testimony is expected to begin at 8:30 a.m.

Here’s what we know:

The guards – Lucius Hamilton, John Seiberling, Gaven King and Aaron Maree – reportedly detained 25-year-old McKenzie Cochran. He was asked to leave the mall after an employee said he was acting suspiciously near a jewelry store. Cochran was pepper sprayed and pinned to the ground.

Witnesses said Cochran repeatedly told guards during the struggle, “I can't breathe.” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said he couldn't breathe because of the way he was lying on the ground.

Once guards handcuffed Cochran, they noticed he was unresponsive and called emergency services. Attempts to resuscitate him at the mall were unsuccessful. Cochran was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to the hospital.

In 2014, then-Oakland County District Attorney Jessica Cooper did not file charges, saying there was no intent to kill and security guards did not use chokeholds. In 2020, Cochran's family asked Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren to review the case a second time. Barren decided to refer it to the Attorney General's Office.

The four security guards were charged with manslaughter in 2021. This development came seven years after the former Oakland County prosecutor failed to file charges against them.

October 2021: ‘Justice delayed’ – 4 years after man’s death in Northland Mall, charges are brought

Hamilton pleaded guilty on Friday, August 16, after the judge said she would likely support a 90-day jail sentence in October. A fifth security guard – the first to come into contact with Cochran – died in 2017.

The defense attorneys said the guards acted in self-defense.