( 📸: Associated Press )
Cousins! Two Colorado paramedics have been found guilty of criminal negligence homicide following the tragic murder of Elijah McClain due to a fatal injection of Ketamine.
According to CNN, Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec had originally pleaded not guilty to felony charges. As of Friday evening, Cichuniec was also found guilty of a second-degree unlawful administration of drugs assault charge, and not guilty of second-degree assault resulting in bodily injury.
Sources state that he was cuffed and immediately taken into custody while Cooper was acquitted on those charges.
Reports read that prosecutors argued that the paramedics acted recklessly in administering a tremendous dose of the powerful sedative to the 23-year-old. It has been stated that Elijah was violently suppressed by police and that they failed to check his vitals.
Sources state that an amended autopsy report was issued in connection to the tragic August 2019 incident which listed Elijah’s cause of death as, “complications of ketamine administration following forcible restraint.”
On August 24, 2019 local officials responded to a call in regard to a “suspicious person” wearing a ski mask. Arriving officers wrestled Elijah to the ground while placing him in a carotid hold as he attempted to walk home from a convenience store carrying a plastic bag with iced tea in it.
The paramedics testified in court that they acted based on their initial training which instructed them to treat “excited delirium,” a controversial diagnosis describing extreme agitation generally applied to people being subdued by police, reports CNN.
“During our training, we were told numerous times that this is a safe, effective drug,”said Cichuniec. “That is the only drug we can carry that can stop what is going on and calm him down so we can control his airway, we can control him and the safety of him, get him to the hospital as quick as we can.”
Three Aurora officers also stood trial in a separate hearing following their involvement in Elijah’s death. Court documents read that Officer Randy Roedema was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide and assault which led to his official termination by the department. While officers Jason Rosenblatt and Nathan Woodyard were acquitted of all charges.
Following the national media attention received surrounding the 2020 murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, Elijah’s death was one of several cases to gain restored scrutiny, reports CNN.
Both Cooper and Cichuniec were suspended in September 2021 after being criminally charged.
“We knew these cases would be difficult to prosecute,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser following the delivered verdict.
“We are satisfied with today’s verdicts, and we are confident that bringing these cases to trial was the right thing to do for justice, for Elijah McClain, and for healing in the Aurora community,” Weiser said.
“We must continue our work to improve policing and emergency response and build trust between law enforcement, first responders, and the people they are sworn to protect,” he continued.
+ There are no comments
Add yours