Cochran found innocent of rape, gross sexual imposition
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ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- Logan Cochran broke into tears and embraced his defense attorney, Michael Probst, when jurors returned a verdict of "not guilty" on two counts of first-degree felony rape and one count of fourth-degree felony gross sexual imposition.
His three-day trial concluded Thursday.
Probst made a brief statement following the verdict:
"Obviously we are extremely elated. It's been two years for Logan, and this is just a hard case. There are tough cases. I'm not unsympathetic to the process. It isn't something that I enjoy watching, alleged victims or anyone get up on the stand and cry, but we're just extremely elated and thankful to the jury for making the right decision."
Both Cochran and the alleged victim took the stand during the three-day trial, and questions of credibility were raised in closing arguments by the prosecution and defense. The alleged victim had an emotional reaction during her cross examination.
Cochran, 21, of 69740 Ohio St., Martins Ferry, was 19 at the time of incident, which reportedly occurred during a on May 24, 2022, post-graduation gathering of three young women and three young men, including Cochran, at a Martins Ferry residence. All were 18 or older except for one of the females, who was 17.
Cochran took the stand and testified that a sexual encounter with the alleged victim was consensual.
During cross-examination and closing arguments, Gagin said it seemed unlikely the alleged victim would have expressed annoyance and irritation at Cochran throughout the night, then change her mind and agreed to a sexual encounter.
"Your testimony has been throughout that she never said: 'No,'" Gagin said. "There's been no testimony that she ever said: 'Yes.'"
Cochran told the court that she did say "Yes" and that the homeowner saw her say it. Gagin said the homeowner did not testify to that.
During his closing argument, Gagin said this was a "he said, she said" situation but the evidence and common sense indicated the alleged victim should be believed. Gagin said the alleged victim's statements maintained a core consistency throughout.
In his closing arguments, Probst said Gagin's arguments were a case of "spaghetti prosecution," or throwing accusations to see what sticks. He said the state had not proven any use of force or threat of force.
Probst also referred to the alleged victim's testimony Wednesday, which he said was inconsistent with statements provided at the time of the incident.
"They put her on the stand and it was an absolute mess," he said.
Probst said Cochran has found the accusation traumatic and that he spoke with certainty when he took the stand. Probst also referred to the homeowner's testimony, saying he testified that while Cochran had been drinking and behaving like "kind of a jerk," a rape could not have happened, adding that he would have heard and intervened.
"The state of Ohio wants to throw it in your lap over the course of three days and say, 'We want you to find beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Cochran's guilty.' None of you were there," he said.
Probst said proof beyond a reasonable doubt had not been provided.
"At the end of the day, while she may have been crying, she was reluctant to provide answers, and she admitted that she had inconsistent testimony, and she couldn't account for the fact that she had an examination done and there's just nothing (no evidence of injury) there," Probst said of the alleged victim.
The jury deliberated for a little more than an hour before returning the verdict.