One of the brighter hues in a colorful city seems to be fading. http://www.news8austin.com/content/headlines/?ArID=255328&SecID=2 Leslie Cochran in hospital, vigil to take place Tuesday Updated: 10/13/2009 1:54:25 PM By: News 8 Austin Staff Leslie Cochran has reached a semi-vegetative state. A well-known homeless citizen of Austin is reportedly in critical condition at University Medical Center at Brackenridge. According to several published reports, Leslie Cochran has reached a semi-vegetative state. A community activist said he has no brain activity. “He's barely with us now,” Texas Civil Liberties Union President Debbie Russell said. “Nothing short of a miracle will turn the inevitable tide.” Reports indicate that on Oct. 3, a taxi driver found Cochran close to Interstate-35 and Oltorf Street. After finding Cochran collapsed on the street, the driver called emergency responders and police. Cochran has been frequently seen on and around the Sixth Street area. He used to live in the Pacific Northwest and at one time worked as a truck driver frequently traveling up and down the West Coast. A vigil in Cochran’s honor will take place Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Red River Street between 12th and 15th streets at the Brackenridge hospital driveway.
Wow! I see him all the time and he often would come into the bar where I work and we'd have fun with him. Very interesting dude.
Leslie Cochran in fair condition, as organizers host vigil 10/13/2009 1:54 PM By: News 8 Austin Staff Leslie Cochran is recovering after suffering a brain aneurism. A well-known formerly homeless citizen of Austin made some progress Tuesday evening at University Medical Center at Brackenridge. According to a Brackenridge spokeswoman, Leslie Cochran was in fair condition Tuesday evening. He was reportedly in a semi-vegetative state, after suffering from a brain aneurism. A community activist had said he had no brain activity. "He's barely with us now," Texas Civil Liberties Union President Debbie Russell had said only hours before Cochran began to recover. "Nothing short of a miracle will turn the inevitable tide." Though Cochran is now conscious, some believe he'll have to live in some sort of medical facility. "I'd rather see that, than not have Leslie around anymore at all to pontificate on local politics," Russell later said. "To tell us some of the truths that are so often buried and to continue to stand as an icon in this town for freedom and expression and his gift to the community." Reports indicate that on Oct. 3, a taxi driver found Cochran close to Interstate-35 and Oltorf Street. After finding Cochran collapsed on the street, the driver called emergency responders and police. A lot of Austinites had wondered what happened to Leslie since the cab driver found him. The hospital finally managed to locate a family member, who allowed authorities to release more information. A vigil in Cochran’s honor took place Tuesday. Cochran has been frequently seen on and around the Sixth Street area. He used to live in the Pacific Northwest and at one time worked as a truck driver frequently traveling up and down the West Coast. The Austin celebrity is known for his flamboyant dress, as he paraded around Austin streets and took photos with passersby. "I hope he makes a full recovery so he can get back out there in his zebra thong and make more people happy," supporter Mike Mann said. Cochran also made a bid for mayor about six years ago and, in recent years, was the subject of iconic refrigerator magnets. A vigil in Cochran's honor took place Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Red River Street between 12th and 15th streets at the Brackenridge hospital driveway. http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=255398
I would never wish ill onto anyone (most anyone, anyway), and I hope he has a full and rapid recovery, however... he belonged in some sort of institutional care long, long ago. He is not, and has never been, the harmless little goofball he was portrayed as in the media.
what makes you say that? he has seemed normal enough from the encounters that myself or anyone else has had with him.
he is not transgendered - in fact he used to have cases at the UT law clinic pretty often. He would like to dress like a woman, but he was asked once if he would want to be called "mam". His response, "I'm not crazy"
Normal enough to show his butt cheeks to every kid in town while posing in his stylletto heels and bra.
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