Grand Jury Indicts Police Officers And Paramedics In 2019 Death Of Elijah McClain
A Colorado grand jury has indicted three police officers and two paramedics involved in the August 2019 death of Elijah McClain.
McClain was a 23-year-old Black man who was stopped by police while walking home from a store, put in a carotid hold, and then injected with ketamine. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser made the announcement on Wednesday, according to CNN.
Per the outlet, Weiser announced that, “Two Aurora Police Department officers, a former officer, and two Aurora Fire Rescue Paramedics each face a count of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide as part of a 32-count indictment.”
Weiser added, “[The] two current officers also face assault charges and crimes of violence charges related to the assault. Two paramedics each face various assault charges including the use of a deadly weapon — ketamine — and face crimes of violence related to the assault charges.”
The two current officers Nathan Woodyard and Randy Roedema, former officer Jason Rosenblatt and paramedics Jeremy Cooper and Lt. Peter Cichuniec were the officers and paramedics charged per The Denver Post.
“We’re here today because Elijah McClain is not here and he should be,” Weiser said per CNN. “When he died he was only 23 years old. He had his whole life ahead of him and his family and his friends must now go on and must live without him.”
On Wednesday, Sheneen McClain, Elijah’s mother, said per The Denver Post, “It’s huge to know they’re indicted. But I know it’s not over. We still have to go to trial.”
The grand jury gave in their results from the investigation on Wednesday, almost exactly two years from the second anniversary of McClain’s death.
Autumn Hawkins is the National Hip-Hop and R&B writer for Beasley Media, currently residing in New Jersey. Prior to working at Beasley Media, she was in broadcast news as an entertainment producer. When she's not impatiently waiting for Beyoncé to drop new music, she is reading, shopping, or planning a vacation.
Sign me up for the 105.1 the Bounce email newsletter!
Stay locked in with everything 105.1 the BOUNCE and become a BOUNCE VIP! VIP members can win prizes, concert tickets & get updates on everything Detroit!
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.