A security guard testifying in court on Wednesday recalled the tragic incident that led to the death of a man during a confrontation at a Detroit-area mall over a decade ago. James Hale, who was monitoring security cameras at Northland Center in 2014, stated that he did not participate in restraining the man, McKenzie Cochran, as it went against his personal beliefs and his role as a visual deterrent.
Hale, who also worked as a nurse’s assistant during the day, expressed that he was not present at the mall to cause harm to anyone. The trial involves three men, John Seiberling, Gaven King, and Aaron Maree, who are facing involuntary manslaughter charges for their involvement in Cochran’s death, who had an enlarged heart and died of asphyxiation while being restrained.
The prosecutor initially did not press charges in 2014, but the case was reopened by the Michigan attorney general in subsequent years. During the trial, the defense challenged Hale on why he did not assist the other guards in restraining Cochran, to which he acknowledged that it went against his beliefs but admitted to still working there and receiving payment.
The altercation with Cochran started after a jewelry store owner reported concerns about his behavior, leading to a situation where multiple guards attempted to restrain him on the floor. Despite claims from the guards’ lawyers that they were trying to deescalate the situation and protect themselves and the mall, the outcome was tragic, with one guard pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter and another guard involved in the incident passing away in 2017.
Northland Center, where the incident took place, was demolished in 2021 for redevelopment purposes. The trial continues as more details regarding the events that led to Cochran’s death are being scrutinized.