Bryant Cochran
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Bryant Cochran was the chief magistrate judge of Murray County, Georgia.[1] He resigned from the court on August 17, 2012.[2] At the time of his resignation, the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission was investigating allegations that Cochran signed and distributed blank arrest and search warrants to law enforcement officers, which would be in violation of his office. In resigning, the judge also agreed to never hold judicial office again.[3][4]
Six federal crime convictions
On December 11, 2014, a jury in a federal court found Cochran guilty of all six counts against him. The crimes were conspiracy against rights, three counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and tampering with a witness.[5]
Prosecutors said Cochran framed Angela Garmley in August 2012 by orchestrating methamphetamine to be planted on her car. According to testimony at the trial, Garmley went to Cochran's office in April 2012 to get warrants for three people who had attacked her. During this meeting, Cochran asked Garmley to be his mistress and requested she come back to his office wearing a dress and no underwear. Garmley went public with this incident to the media and the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission.[6]
Cochran did not testify at the trial. In July 2015, he was sentenced to five years in prison.[7][8]
See also
External links
- Dalton Daily Citizen, "Cochran found guilty on all counts," December 11, 2014
- Law.com, "Embattled N. Georgia magistrate resigns," August 17, 2012
- Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission, "Resignation and Rule Report: Judge Bryant Cochran," August 16, 2012
Footnotes
- ↑ Georgia Courts, "Magistrate Court Directory"
- ↑ Georgia Courts Journal Archives, "November 2012: Transitions," accessed September 24, 2014
- ↑ Law.com, "Embattled N. Georgia magistrate resigns," August 17, 2012
- ↑ Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission, "Resignation and Rule Report: Judge Bryant Cochran," August 16, 2012
- ↑ Dalton Daily Citizen, "Cochran found guilty on all counts," December 11, 2014
- ↑ Times Free Press, "Jury convicts former Murray County Magistrate Bryant Cochran of six federal crimes," December 11, 2014
- ↑ The Chattanoogan, "Bryant Cochran Found Guilty Of All Counts In Sex And Corruption Case," December 11, 2014
- ↑ WRCB TV, "ONLY ON 3: Victim in Murray Co. Judge scandal talks," September 28, 2015
Federal courts:
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Middle District of Georgia, Northern District of Georgia, Southern District of Georgia • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Middle District of Georgia, Northern District of Georgia, Southern District of Georgia
State courts:
Georgia Supreme Court • Georgia Court of Appeals • Georgia Superior Courts • Georgia State Courts • Georgia Business Court • Georgia Tax Court • Georgia Juvenile Courts • Georgia Probate Courts • Georgia Magistrate Courts • Georgia Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Georgia • Georgia judicial elections • Judicial selection in Georgia
