Jim Cockman - update

I wrote way earlier about a local man who was violently killed by two people who wanted to steal his SUV he was selling. Here's a happier update about his story.

Once-again-the-lovely-disclaimer: I'm not making $$ on this website - so don't sue me! I want people to know that these horrible people got what was coming to them.

Penalty Hearing Continues For Edens, Holloway
Solicitor Seeking Death Penalty For Cockman's Killers
POSTED: 8:33 am EDT June 25, 2006
UPDATED: 7:09 am EDT June 26, 2006

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GREENIVLLE, S.C. -- The Greenville County jury that will decide the fate of David Edens and Jennifer Holloway heard from witnesses called by both the prosecution and defense on Sunday.
The penalty phase of the capital murder trial began Sunday morning after a mandatory 24-hour waiting period following the jury's verdict that the couple was guilty of kidnapping and killing Greenville businessman Jim Cockman.

The hearing ended for the day Sunday at about 5 p.m. and is scheduled to resume Monday a 9 a.m.

Prosecutors called Cockman’s widow, who described learning of her husband’s death – and then having to tell her family.

"No one should ever have to sit their son or their daughter down and have to tell them that their father has been killed," Cathy Cockman told the jury. "It was the most heart-wrenching thing that anyone could ever have to go through."

Prosecutors showed the jurors photos of Cockman’s family and heard testimony about how the former Sara Lee CEO helped friends, acquaintances and people he did not know through his work for charities including American Leprosy Missions.

Jurors also got to see the freezer in which investigators found Cockman’s body at a Tennessee storage unit, his wrists bound and his head wrapped in duct tape.

After the prosecution’s presentation, Edens' attorney called a forensic psychiatrist to the stand. Her testimony included a description of Edens’ version of what happened the day Cockman was kidnapped and killed.

"Jennifer had gotten Mr. Cockman to get into the back seat of the car by asking him to show her how the seats worked," Dr. Margret Melikian said. "David then stated that she punched him in the face and was able to put the duct tape around his head."

Melikian also testified that Edens suffers from social anxiety (who cares? she killed someone).

On cross-examination, prosecutors asked if that condition could cause a person to commit the crimes Edens is convicted of. Melikian said "No."

The Verdict

It took jurors less than two hours Friday afternoon, to find Edens and Holloway guilty.

As the verdict was announced, Holloway could be seen wiping away tears. Edens was not in the courtroom. He declined to appear in court after Monday, opting to remain in his cell at the Greenville County Law Enforcement Center.

In closing arguments, the lawyers hinted at their approaches to the penalty phase of the trial.
Deputy Solicitor Betty Strom focused on the brutality of the crime and the way in which Cockman was killed.

"You've got your hands on a man and you are wrapping his head as he is gasping for breath," Strom said. "How much meanness does it take? How mean do you have to be to grab a man and wrap his head with duct tape?"

Jurors heard two separate closing arguments from the defense, as Edens and Holloway are represented by different teams of lawyers.

Hank Eihles, representing Holloway, referred to a conversation that his client had with Greenville County investigator Paul Silvaggio (I actually know this detective - he's VERY honest) .

In testimony during the prosecution's case, Silvaggio said Holloway told him that she had seven people living inside her head and that one of them was telling her to kill herself.

"You're going to hear a lot about the next part of her statement to officer Silvaggio, who reported very honestly concerns that she expressed about her own mental state," Eihles told jurors. "We're dealing with a complicated woman, a complicated situation that you'll hear a lot more about."

Edens was represented by Rick Veith, who painted a picture of Edens as being dominated by Holloway, his common law wife.

He pointed out that it was Holloway who had rented the storage unit where Cockman's body was found inside a freezer and that she held the keys to that unit.

"I submit here that there was never an attempt, at least on Edens' part, to kill anyone. He was there to get (the SUV) and go on."

He also said that if the couple had planned all along to kill Cockman, they would have disposed of his body in a different way than locking it in a freezer in a Tennessee storage unit.

"You dispose of the body somewhere going up the road from North Carolina to Sevierville, Tenn.," Veith said. "You've got a long drive."



Previous Stories:
June 22, 2006: Prosecution Expected To Wrap Up Case In Cockman Trial
June 21, 2006: 'Dozing' Juror Dismissed In Capital Murder Case
June 20, 2006: Cockman's Widow Testifies About Husband's Disappearance
June 19, 2006: Opening Statements Set In Cockman Murder Trial
September 30, 2005: Date Set In Cockman Murder Trial
May 24, 2005: Pair Indicted In Retired Businessman's Death
October 5, 2004: Solicitor Will Seek Death Penalty In Cockman Homicide
September 28, 2004: FBI: Suspects In Cockman Death Called Others Selling Cars
September 27, 2004: Coroner: Jim Cockman's Death Is Homicide
September 23, 2004: FBI: Person Believed To Be Greenville Businessman Suffocated