Final defense witnesses in McKenzie Cochran trial expected on Friday

PONTIAC, Michigan (FOX 2) – The defense is expected to call its final witness to the stand on Friday as the trial of three security guards accused in the 2014 death of McKenzie Cochran at Northland Mall continues.

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. Watch live above.

John Seiberling, Gaven King and Aaron Maree were charged with manslaughter after the death was investigated years later in 2014. A fourth guard accused of murder, Lucius Hamilton, pleaded guilty, and a fifth guard died before charges were filed.

According to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, Cochran, 25, of Ferndale, told the owner of a jewelry store in the Southfield mall on January 28, 2014, that he wanted to “kill someone.”

Two security guards came to the store after the owner requested security. When Cochran approached the guards with his fists clenched, one sprayed him with pepper spray and both tried to pin him to the ground. Three more security guards arrived and joined in the restraint effort to handcuff Cochran, authorities said.

Video showed Cochran lying face down with his arms beneath his body while the five security guards held him down. Witnesses at the mall and later interviews with the security guards involved reported that Cochran said he could not breathe while lying on the ground.

The witnesses called by the defense earlier this week include medical experts.