Catherine Cochran, a 50-year-old woman from Marion, Ohio, tragically passed away on March 9, 2018. Born on August 17, 1967, in Montgomery, Alabama, Catherine was known for her warm-hearted and optimistic nature. She was survived by her spouse, Anthony Russell Cochran, her mother Annie Pittman, and her children Tawana, Antonio, D'Angelo, and Shaquille Cochran, along with thirteen grandchildren.
Catherine's death was the result of a shooting incident at her home on Universal Avenue in Marion. The suspect, Mitchell A. Rankin, 35, was her longtime boyfriend. Rankin claimed that the shooting was an accident, stating that he was under the influence of cocaine and was "messing with" a gun when it went off, fatally wounding Catherine in the back of the head. However, Catherine's family and the prosecution believed that the shooting was not accidental and that Rankin should have been tried for murder.
Rankin was taken into custody by Marion police the day after Catherine's body was found. He was initially indicted on a murder charge, but the charge was dismissed when Rankin entered into a plea deal, pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter and two other charges. Despite the plea deal, some members of Catherine's family felt that justice was not served and that Rankin should have faced a trial for murder.
The case drew significant attention, with Catherine's family expressing their dissatisfaction with the plea agreement and the sentence. Rankin received a 12-year prison sentence for his actions. The family's grief and desire for justice were evident throughout the legal proceedings, as they believed that Rankin's actions were deliberate and that he should have faced harsher consequences.
Catherine Cochran's death left a lasting impact on her family and the community, and her memory continues to be honored by those who knew and loved her.
