Trial Transcripts
August 2, 1979
Pamela Kalin Cochran
Scans of original transcript
(Whereupon, PAMELA KALIN COCHRAN was called as a witness, duly sworn, and testified as follows:)
D I R E C T E X A M I N A T I O N (10:36 a.m.)
BY MR. BLACKBURN:
Q Please state your name?
A Pamela Cochran.
Q And, Mrs. Cochran, if you would speak loudly so everyone can hear you. Where do you presently live, Mrs. Cochran?
A In Palm Harbor, Florida.
Q Now, is Cochran your married name?
A Yes.
Q What was your maiden name?
A Kalin.
Q And you were the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Kalin?
A Right.
Q Now, directing your attention to the fall of 1969 and early 1970, where did you live?
A In Fort Bragg.
Q Where specifically?
A Castle Drive.
Q At what street address?
A I don't remember.
Q You don't remember? Did you know the MacDonald family?
A Yes.
Q Where did you live in relationship to their apartment?
A Next door.
Q Okay, now, when you say you lived next door, as best you can, describe the relationship of your apartment to the MacDonald apartment?
A Our living room was joined by a wall to their living room, and my bedroom was on top of their living room.
Q And how many brothers and sisters did you have?
A Two brothers living at home.
Q Your apartment was a three-bedroom apartment?
A Four.
Q Four-bedroom apartment. And each of you had a separate bedroom, is that right?
A No, my two brothers slept together.
Q Now, when did you first meet any member of the MacDonald family, as best you can recall?
A In the fall of '69, I believe.
Q Now, what were the circumstances, if you can recall, of your first meeting?
A I don't remember.
Q Okay, did you ever have an occasion to babysit for the MacDonald family at any time?
A Often.
Q When did that begin?
A Right after they moved next door.
Q You kept Kimberly and Kristen, is that right?
A Yes.
Q When you say "often," would that be as much as one time a week, or more?
A Sometimes three or four times a week.
Q When you kept them, was that in your apartment, or was that in the MacDonald apartment?
A In their apartment.
Q Now, during the time that you babysat for them -- prior to babysitting, did you have an occasion to get to know or meet Kimberly and Kristen's parents?
A Yes.
Q How would you describe, if you can, the relationship as existed between her parents during the fall of 1969?
A Just fine.
Q How did it compare with the relationship between your own parents?
A My parents were -- they fought often, very loud fights.
Q Now, directing your attention to the week preceding the 16th and 17th of February, did you have an occasion to keep the MacDonald children that week?
A Yes.
Q When was that?
A I don't remember.
D I R E C T E X A M I N A T I O N (10:36 a.m.)
BY MR. BLACKBURN:
Q Please state your name?
A Pamela Cochran.
Q And, Mrs. Cochran, if you would speak loudly so everyone can hear you. Where do you presently live, Mrs. Cochran?
A In Palm Harbor, Florida.
Q Now, is Cochran your married name?
A Yes.
Q What was your maiden name?
A Kalin.
Q And you were the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Kalin?
A Right.
Q Now, directing your attention to the fall of 1969 and early 1970, where did you live?
A In Fort Bragg.
Q Where specifically?
A Castle Drive.
Q At what street address?
A I don't remember.
Q You don't remember? Did you know the MacDonald family?
A Yes.
Q Where did you live in relationship to their apartment?
A Next door.
Q Okay, now, when you say you lived next door, as best you can, describe the relationship of your apartment to the MacDonald apartment?
A Our living room was joined by a wall to their living room, and my bedroom was on top of their living room.
Q And how many brothers and sisters did you have?
A Two brothers living at home.
Q Your apartment was a three-bedroom apartment?
A Four.
Q Four-bedroom apartment. And each of you had a separate bedroom, is that right?
A No, my two brothers slept together.
Q Now, when did you first meet any member of the MacDonald family, as best you can recall?
A In the fall of '69, I believe.
Q Now, what were the circumstances, if you can recall, of your first meeting?
A I don't remember.
Q Okay, did you ever have an occasion to babysit for the MacDonald family at any time?
A Often.
Q When did that begin?
A Right after they moved next door.
Q You kept Kimberly and Kristen, is that right?
A Yes.
Q When you say "often," would that be as much as one time a week, or more?
A Sometimes three or four times a week.
Q When you kept them, was that in your apartment, or was that in the MacDonald apartment?
A In their apartment.
Q Now, during the time that you babysat for them -- prior to babysitting, did you have an occasion to get to know or meet Kimberly and Kristen's parents?
A Yes.
Q How would you describe, if you can, the relationship as existed between her parents during the fall of 1969?
A Just fine.
Q How did it compare with the relationship between your own parents?
A My parents were -- they fought often, very loud fights.
Q Now, directing your attention to the week preceding the 16th and 17th of February, did you have an occasion to keep the MacDonald children that week?
A Yes.
Q When was that?
A I don't remember.