Former Chief Magistrate Bryant Cochran and Angela Garmley. Garmley’s accusations against Cochran initiated a state investigation that led to the judge’s resignation.ROME, Ga. — Minutes after Angela Garmley met with former Murray County Magistrate Bryant Cochran for the first time, she alerted her family that something wasn’t right.
Sherry Sane testified this morning that she waited outside Cochran’s office in April 2012 when her sister requested that the magistrate hold a hearing to determine whether two women who fought Garmley should be arrested.
“Oh my gosh,” Garmley apparently told Sane after meeting with Cochran. “I have to tell you something.”
Sane testified that, minutes later, she listened while Garmley and Cochran talked on the phone. Garmely put her phone on speaker so Sane could hear. Cochran then asked Garmely to return to his office later in the week, wearing a dress with no underwear.
Cochran is now on trial in U.S. District Court for a series of criminal charges. They range from sexually harassing one employee to searching through another employee’s phone without her permission.