Inconsistency in testimony leads jury to render not guilty verdicts lodged against Lanexa man

Inconsistent stories stemming from a marriage that lasted approximately three days has resulted in a jury finding not guilty verdicts on five charges lodged against a Lanexa man.

Charles Daniel Cochrane, 40, of the 9800 block of Crossover Road, had verdicts of innocence returned on one count of breaking and entering, abduction, misdemeanor assault and battery, misdemeanor destruction of property, and misdemeanor assault and battery of a family member during Monday’s trial in New Kent Circuit Court. One charge of unlawful wounding was dismissed.

Cochrane met Amanda Hornbeck in late 2020. After two weeks of getting to know each other, the two got married. However, three days later, on Dec. 26, 2020, allegations arose of the alleged abuse.

The prosecutor’s case centered around Cochrane looking at Hornbeck as “property.” On the aforementioned date, Hornbeck testified that Cochrane had been drinking alcohol in the early morning hours. She later followed that up, saying she didn’t start drinking until the afternoon.

Hornbeck claimed that she and Cochrane went to her father’s home in New Kent to rill some steaks. At some point, Cochrane left the residence upset. When he returned, Hornbeck claimed that he wanted her to come with him. Cochrane and Hornbeck went into her dad’s house, with Hornbeck claiming that after the doors were locked, Cochrane kicked the door in, grazing Hornbeck’s right eye.

Hornbeck continued her testimony, saying the defendant picked her up and took her to his SUV as she kicked and screamed. The noise caused Hornbeck’s dad to come out with his baseball bat and a cell phone, which he allegedly called 9-1-1 with.

Hornbeck’s father, Edward Borough, echoed the story that his daughter had testified to. However, he added that the cell phone was slapped away from him, and his hand was not struck by Cochrane in an effort to prevent the call for emergency assistance.

A cross-examination by defense counsel proved that wasn’t the case. Hornbeck would later say she drank earlier than the afternoon and used marijuana on the day in question. Defense attorneys called two witnesses to the stand, including Brandon Griffith, who has been a friend of Hornbeck since they were children. Griffith testified that Hornbeck told him that the gash under her right eye came from an incident when Boroughs tried to slam the door on a trailer. When Boroughs attempted that, it hit Cochrane in the foot and the door snapped back, striking Hornbeck in the face. Another defense witness, Stephen Griffith, claimed the same story was told to him.

After hearing the stories and testimony, the jury retired to conduct deliberations. After two hours, the jury returned with the not guilty verdicts on the five remaining charges, resulting in Cochrane’s freedom.