Blount County commissioner found guilty of resisting arrest

ONEONTA (AP) — A judge found Blount County Commissioner David W. Cochran Sr. guilty of misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct involving an April 24 incident with a state trooper about a ticket issued to one of Cochran’s employees.

Cochran was acquitted on two other misdemeanor charges — third-degree assault and obstructing government operations.

Calhoun County District Judge Laura Phillips’ verdict came Friday.

Sentence

Phillips sentenced Cochran to 10 days in jail for each charge but suspended the sentence and gave him 24 months of unsupervised probation. Cochran also was ordered to pay court costs and $750 in fines, and he was ordered to complete an anger management program.

Cochran’s attorney, Thomas Prickett, said the misdemeanor convictions do not affect Cochran’s status as a commissioner. He hasn’t decided whether to appeal.

Phillips was asked to preside over the trial in Oneonta after two Blount County judges recused themselves. The state attorney general’s office handled the prosecution.

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Email This Page