Current:Home > MyWitness recalls man struggling to breathe before dying at guards’ hands in Michigan mall-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Witness recalls man struggling to breathe before dying at guards’ hands in Michigan mall
View Date:2024-12-23 21:50:41
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — A man held on the ground by security guards at a Detroit-area shopping mall repeatedly said, “I can’t breathe,” before the confrontation ended with his death, a witness testified Tuesday, more than 10 years later.
McKenzie Cochran, 25, was crying out at Northland Center in Southfield in 2014 as guards struggled to handcuff him and told him repeatedly to “stop resisting,” said Hoy Monk II, who worked at a Foot Locker store.
Three guards — John Seiberling, Gaven King and Aaron Maree — are charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Besides hearing from Monk on the second day of trial, jurors also saw a dark, grainy video of the confrontation as well as video recorded by onlookers.
It began when Cochran had refused to leave the mall, following tension with a jewelry store owner. A guard pepper-sprayed Cochran, who was subsequently wrestled to the ground.
The conflict escalated to include five guards who worked to restrain Cochran, despite him saying at least three times that he couldn’t breathe, Monk said.
By the time Cochran was handcuffed and moved upright, “I could see his face, and his eyes were closed,” Monk testified.
Assistant Attorney General Robyn Liddell asked if the guards had yielded to Cochran’s pleas to get off him.
“No,” Monk replied.
Cochran, who had an enlarged heart, died.
One of the five guards pleaded guilty last week. Gary Chaffin, who was the senior guard and pepper sprayed Cochran, died in 2017.
Monk saw the confrontation while taking a break on a bench. During cross-examination, he agreed when a defense lawyer said fights, shoplifting and drug use were common in the mall at the time.
“You’re used to seeing peculiar things at Northland,” Monk said.
At the start of trial, defense attorneys urged jurors Monday to look at each guard individually. They said Cochran was seen as a volatile threat.
In 2014, the Oakland County prosecutor at the time declined to file charges, saying any mistakes didn’t rise to the level of a crime. But Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel stepped in with her own charges in 2021.
Northland was demolished that year to make way for redevelopment.
___
Follow Ed White at https://twitter.com/edwritez
veryGood! (894)
Related
- 'Underbanked' households more likely to own crypto, FDIC report says
- Kylie Jenner, Cardi B and More Stars Who've Shared Plastic Surgery Confessions
- Ayesha Curry Pens Slam Dunk Tribute to Her and Steph Curry's Daughter Riley on 11th Birthday
- See Sister Wives Star Tony Padron's Transformation After Losing Nearly 100 Pounds
- Early Week 11 fantasy football rankings: 30 risers and fallers
- The Baffling Story of Teen Rudy Farias: Brainwashed at Home and Never Missing Amid 8-Year Search
- Dispute over threat of extinction posed by AI looms over surging industry
- How Dance Moms Trauma Helped Inspire Kalani Hilliker's Mental Health Journey
- Best fits for Corbin Burnes: 6 teams that could match up with Cy Young winner
- Vanderpump Rules' Scheana Shay Claps Back at Claim She's Forgiven Tom Sandoval for Cheating
Ranking
- Man killed by police in Minnesota was being sought in death of his pregnant wife
- Leo Shoppable Horoscope: 11 Birthday Gifts To Help the Lioness Roar
- Seaside North Carolina town overrun with hundreds of non-native ducks
- James Middleton's Comments About His Relationship With Sister Kate Middleton Are Royally Relatable
- Mike Tyson employs two trainers who 'work like a dream team' as Jake Paul fight nears
- Shakira Brings Her 2 Sons as Her Dates to 2023 Premios Juventud
- All the Signs Prince George Is Taking This Future-King Business Seriously
- Not Sure How To Clean Your Dishwasher and Washing Machine? These Pods Will Last a Whole Year
Recommendation
-
Flurry of contract deals come as railroads, unions see Trump’s election looming over talks
-
Gisele Bündchen's Look-Alike Daughter Vivian Is All Grown Up as Model Celebrates 43rd Birthday
-
Camila Cabello’s NSFW Vacation Photos Will Have You Saying My Oh My
-
How the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team Captured Our Hearts
-
Saving for retirement? How to account for Social Security benefits
-
K-9 officer put on leave after police dog attacks surrendering suspect
-
Why Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling Are the Perfect Barbie and Ken
-
Hailey Bieber Will Influence You to Try TikTok's Viral Latte Makeup Trend