Homicide convictions reversed for Colorado paramedics who injected ketamine into Elijah McClain
Summary
A Colorado appeals court has reversed the homicide convictions of two paramedics involved in the death of Elijah McClain, a Black man who died after police restrained him and paramedics gave him ketamine. The court ordered new trials because of problems with jury instructions, while upholding one assault conviction.Key Facts
- Elijah McClain died in 2019 after police restrained him and paramedics injected him with ketamine.
- Paramedics Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec were found guilty in 2023 of criminally negligent homicide; Cichuniec was also convicted of felony assault.
- Cooper was sentenced to 14 months in jail with work release and probation; Cichuniec received five years in prison.
- The Colorado appeals court reversed the homicide convictions and ordered new trials due to faulty jury instructions.
- The court kept Cichuniec’s felony assault conviction.
- Cichuniec was released early in 2024 after his sentencing was reduced to probation.
- The judge noted Cichuniec had to make quick decisions during the incident as the top paramedic on the scene.
- The case is connected to broader public discussions about police treatment of Black individuals.
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