| July 27, 2006 |
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| Man Killed During Domestic
Disturbance, Wife Shot |
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Burke County
investigators are piecing together an early morning shooting which left a man
dead in western Burke County.
Neal Michael Cochran (left), 30, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after
the 1:36 AM call at 3096 Wakefield Avenue, where Cochran lived with his wife,
Amy Cochran.
Burke County deputies arrived on the scene and |
found Cochran lying on a bedroom floor with multiple
gunshot wounds. Amy Cochran was located at a neighbor's home, suffering
from a gunshot wound to the leg. She was transported to Grace Hospital by Burke
County EMS. |
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| Early reports indicate
that Amy Cochran came home around 12:30 AM and was confronted by Neal, who
began physically assaulting her, according to Detective Sgt. Tim Corriveau of
the Burke County Sheriff's Office. |
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| "A neighbor was present
and witnessed him assaulting her," Corriveau said. There is evidence inside the
home indicating a struggle took place between the couple." |
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| The assault continued
into a bedroom, where Amy Cochran reportedly obtained a handgun and shot her
husband several times. |
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| "It appears that Mrs.
Cochran was shot in the leg while she and her husband struggled over the gun,"
Corriveau said. |
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| According to Corriveau,
there were several small children inside the home when the shooting occurred.
They were unhurt and taken to the neighbor's residence as authorities
arrived. |
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| An investigator stated
that alcohol may have been a factor in the case. |
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| Maj. David Pendley of
the Sheriff's Office said the Sheriff's Office has answered previous domestic
calls between the Cochrans. |
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| "The most recent
activity shows that a warrant against Neal Cochran had been issued by Amy
Cochran on July 9th, for assault on a female," Pendley said. "Our records show
the warrant was sent to the town of Valdese, where Neal Cochran was believed to
be living at the time." |
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| The North Carolina State
Bureau of Investigation was called to the home, and is processing evidence
along with several Burke investigators. Pendley said the evidence should help
to determine whether the case could be one of justifiable homicide. |
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| "We will discuss the
case with the District Attorney's Office to make a determination as to whether
charges should be filed against Amy Cochran," Corriveau said. |
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