Live stream: 4 charged in man’s 2014 death at Northland Mall in Southfield due in court

Former security guards face manslaughter charges

The four former security guards charged in the 2014 death of a man at Northland Mall are due in court on Monday.

Lucius Hamilton, John Seiberline, Gaven King and Aaron Maree were charged with involuntary manslaughter last year as part of the reopening of a case that involved the death of 25-year-old McKenzie Cochran at the mall in 2014.

All four are expected to appear in court on Monday morning for a preliminary examination, a hearing where a judge determines if there’s enough evidence to advance to a trial. The hearing started around 10 a.m. -- watch it live in the video player above, or stream it on your TV with the Local 4+ app, available on most Smart TV devices.

Cochran was pinned to the floor by security guards at the shopping mall on Jan. 28, 2014, according to authorities. Witnesses said Cochran was hit with pepper spray and struggled with security guards. His death was later ruled accidental position, compression, asphyxia, according to the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s office.

Witnesses said Cochran could be heard saying, “I’m not resisting -- I can’t breathe.”

At the time, an Oakland County prosecutor said the guards were poorly trained but had no intent to harm Cochran. Jessica Cooper said she had consulted experts, including the U.S. Justice Department, and declined to file charges.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reopened the case in 2020. The mall closed in 2015.

Previous coverage: 4 security guards charged in 2014 death of man at Northland Mall in Southfield


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Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.