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L-R: John Seiberling, Gaven King, Aaron Maree
Three security guards at the now-defunct Northland Center mall in Southfield were found not guilty of involuntary manslaughter on Friday in the 2014 death of McKenzie Cochran, who died after being restrained at the mall.
Gaven King, John Seiberling and Aaron Maree all broke down in tears after the verdict was read in Oakland County Circuit Court, according to the Detroit News, which reported:
After each not guilty verdict was read, Maree pulled King and Seiberling into a group hug, celebrating the end of the more than 10-year journey since 25-year-old McKenzie Cochran's 2014 death.
The case went uncharged for years by the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office until Attorney General Dana Nessel filed criminal charges in 2021.
Cochran was asked to leave the mall after he said he wanted to kill someone. He refused and was maced. A struggle ensued.
Five security guards held him face down while he shouted that he couldn't breath. He died from positional compression asphyxia. It was ruled an accidental death at the time. Later, the Attorney General's Office filed charges.
Four guards were charged with involuntary manslaughter. The fifth had died years before. One guard, Lucius Hamilton, entered into a guilty plea, agreeing to serve 90 days.
Lawyers argued the death was an accident. The prosecution argued that it could have been avoided after Cochrain cried out that he couldn't breath.
