Murder suspect pleads guilty to lesser charge in Universal Avenue shooting

Sarah Volpenhein | Marion Star

MARION — A murder charge was dismissed against a Marion man who pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, leaving family of the victim distraught.

As part of a plea agreement, Mitchell A. Rankin, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony, and two other charges at a hearing Tuesday in Marion County Common Pleas Court.

Marion County prosecutors plan to recommend that Rankin be sentenced to the maximum penalty under the three convictions: 15 and a half years in prison.

In other news: Suspect in officer-involved shooting now charged with attempted murder

Rankin was charged with murder a few days after his longtime girlfriend Catherine Cochran, 50, was found dead March 9 from a gunshot wound to the head in their house on the 600 block of Universal Avenue. He maintained the shooting was an accident, telling investigators he was "messing around" with a gun when it went off.

But under the plea deal, the murder charge and three others were dismissed Tuesday, leaving members of Cochran's family, who were present in the courtroom, outraged.

"That's what they did was threw us under the bus," said Anthony Cochran, who had been married to Catherine, but separated.

Tawana Cochran, Catherine's only daughter, said through tears that Rankin should be locked away in prison for 25 years to life or executed for what he did.

"There was not accident," she said, accusing Rankin of planning the shooting.

Tawana called the plea agreement "unacceptable," saying that Rankin needed to face the consequences for what he did.

"I think everything should've gone to trial," she said, adding that the evidence should be out in the open.

If he had been found guilty of the murder charge, Rankin would have been sentenced to an indefinite term of 15 years to life in prison.

In all, Rankin pleaded guilty Tuesday to the involuntary manslaughter charge; one count of theft, a fourth-degree felony; and one count of having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony.

At Tuesday's hearing, Rankin admitted to stealing the firearm, a .25-caliber Tanfoglio handgun, used in the shooting. He has also admitting to stealing money and crack cocaine, which he used before the shooting.

After the shooting, police allege Rankin left Cochran lying on the floor, covered her body with a blanket and locked the door to the bedroom and the door to the house without calling 911 or telling anyone.

Cochran was found covered with a blanket on the floor of her bedroom hours later, that evening, by her son and others, according to a recording of the 911 call made at the time.

Rankin turned himself in to police the next day.

Rankin's sentencing will likely be held in the coming weeks before Marion County Court of Common Pleas Judge Jim Slagle.

His defense attorney, Todd Anderson, said that he will recommend a different sentence than what prosecutors plan on recommending.

The defense and the prosecution could present evidence as to why Rankin should receive a lighter or harsher penalty.

Rankin is being held in the Multi-County Correctional Center on a $1 million bond, according to jail records.

svolpenhei@gannett.com

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