Topline
The Colorado grand jury indicted three officers and two paramedics for the death Elijah McClain. This indictment, which was announced Wednesday by the states attorney general, comes almost two years after the death of the 23-year old Black man in Colorado police custody.
Rashiaa Veal holding a sign from her cousin Elijah McClain during a press conference at the Aurora... [+] Municipal Center Oct 1, 2019. DP
The Key Facts
McClain was unarmed at the time of the encounter. He suffered cardiac arrest and later died. McClain was placed in a stranglehold and given ketamine 1.5 times his body weight. Although police claimed they were responding to a report about a suspicious individual wearing a ski mask, waving his arms and walking home from the store, a review by Aurora revealed that there was no evidence that McClain was justified in being stopped. The 32-count indictment includes five paramedics and officers. Attorney General Phil Weiser filed the indictment to court Wednesday. The former officer Jason Rosenblatt and Randy Roedema, a police officer, are also facing charges of second-degree assault as well as a crime of violence. Weiser stated that paramedics from Aurora Fire Rescue, Jeremy Cooper, and Peter Cichuniec, are facing multiple charges of second-degree assault, crimes of violence, and for using ketamine against McClain. Sheneen McClain McClains mother said to The Colorado Sun that she was grateful for the charges against her son and is looking forward to seeing him in court. However, she stated that she still needs to see Nathan Woodyard and Officer Roedema fired.
Important Quote
Weiser stated that our investigation would be guided primarily by facts, thorough and diligent work, and will earn the trust of the public and their confidence in our criminal justice system. These are our guiding principles.
Surprising Fact
Adams County prosecutors cleared McClains' officers and paramedics of any wrongdoing in November 2019. However, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis was under significant public pressure after racial justice protests took over the country and made an unprecedented decision in June 2020 to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate McClains' death. In January 2019, Weiser opened a grand jury investigation across the state. Rosenblatt was one of three officers who were fired or resigned over photos that mimicked McClain's chokehold.
Important Background
McClains' family has sued Aurora for his death. Federal prosecutors and the FBI are also investigating the matter. The footage from the police body camera cuts out key moments of the encounter but shows McClain asking for help and trying to explain his actions during the arrest. McClain was alleged to have tried to grab one their guns by police. I don't have a gun. That stuff is not my thing. I don't do fighting. McClain can be heard saying that he doesn't even kill flies. McClain was then administered 500 mgs of ketamine by paramedics. This is a strong sedative. After being declared brain dead, McClain died six days later.
