Colorado paramedics convicted in the death of Elijah McClain
NBCDec 30, 2023
Paramedics Found Guilty in 2019 Death of Elijah McClain
Image copyright: Michael Ciaglo / Stringer [via Getty Images]
The Facts
On Friday, two Colorado paramedics, Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec, were convicted of criminally negligent homicide for administering a fatal dose of a sedative to Elijah McClain in 2019.
McClain, a 23-year-old Black man with no criminal record, was stopped by an Aurora police officer while walking home after a 911 call described him as "sketchy." After he was placed in a chokehold, Cooper and Cichuniec injected McClain with ketamine.
The Spin
Left narrative
This verdict sends a strong message to all of those complicit in police brutality. McClain was administered an overdose of ketamine in an encounter that should have never happened in the first place. Instead of rendering aid to the ailing McClain, the paramedics showed callous disregard for the life of an innocent man. This verdict goes to show that no one is above the law.
Right narrative
What happened to McClain is a tragedy, but it was wrong to punish paramedics for making a split-second decision. This unprecedented verdict could have a chilling effect on first responders all over the country and could give paramedics pause when it comes to rendering aid in their line of duty. We can't afford to sacrifice medical discretion in the hunt for accountability in McClain's death.