The first degree murder trial of Travis Cochran was thrown out on a technicality after a short blip of video showed investigators asking Cochran about probation violations.
Cochran was indicted over four years ago. He's accused of killing Ahmad Sheppard in 2013 during an home invasion robbery in 2013. Sheppard was a popular DJ at a Bourbon Street strip club.
The tape showed Cochran being interviewed by investigators week after the crime. The tape was a major piece of evidence by prosecutors. The fleeting reference to a probation violation issue was uttered by Cochran's former defense attorney who attended the interview. The blip was accidentally played as the tape was being advanced to a clip to be used by prosecutors.
According to the Advocate, both sides admitted the fleeting reference to prior bad acts was accidental, but the defense pushed for a mistrial and ultimately the judge in the matter made the mistrial declaration.
Cochran's journey through the justice system has gone on since he was indicted in 2015, and jailed in lieu of more than million and half dollar bail. His case was supposed to start in April, 2016. Since then 19 court dates have been set with the state requesting continuances nine times. A new trial date of October first is set for Cochran's next trial to begin.
