FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 14, 2006

"Cold Case" murder indictment

State Attorney Steve Meadows announces the indictment, by a Jackson County Grand Jury, of Thomas E. Cochrane on two counts of First Degree Murder.

The Grand Jury charged Cochrane with the shotgun and stabbing murders of Sabrena Tedder Powell and Kenneth J. Powell, committed on April 30, 2003. Authorities suggested that the pair, and their home, were burned in an attempt to destroy evidence.

Cochrane, 58, is currently serving life, at Washington Correctional Institution near Vernon, for another Jackson County murder. He was sentenced on January 18, 2005.

This indictment is hailed as the solving of a "cold case" by Meadows. "This indictment comes as a result of a joint investigation by investigators of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and of the State Attorney's Office," Meadows said. "We are very pleased that another cold case is moving toward justice. Though this defendant is serving a life sentence for another murder; it is very important that he be held accountable.

"The families of the victims have, for three and one-half years, looked for justice. We look forward to being able to present the evidence in this case to a Jackson County jury."

Arraignment will be set for a later date. Cochrane will remain in Washington C.I. until he is required to appear in a Marianna courtroom.