Trial in Sharra's murder set for '06

DADE CITY - March is the new trial date for Gary Elishi Cochran, who faces the death penalty if convicted of the 1997 rape and fatal stabbing of 9-year-old Sharra Ferger.

Circuit Judge Lynn Tepper agreed Wednesday to push the trial from a December window back to a March 6 start.

"It just wasn't going to work for anybody," said St. Petersburg defense attorney John Swisher. "Plus, you've got the holidays coming up. No one had any time."

Cochran, 39, was to go to trial in September after co-defendant Gary Steven Cannon. But in July, Cochran and his old attorney almost came to blows during a Pasco County jail meeting.

The sparks were still flying at a court hearing, where attorney Sam Williams was released from the case for "irreconcilable differences" after the judge had to shout down a belligerent Cochran.

St. Petersburg lawyer Lane Lastinger was appointed to the defense.

A jury convicted Cannon on Sept. 20 for his part in the girl's rape and slaying. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Pasco Times headlines

© 2005 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact the Times | Privacy Policy Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright