In 2019, in Colorado, the tragic incident involving the death of Elijah McClain took place. A jury's recent verdict found one officer, Aurora officer Randy Roedema, guilty of criminally negligent homicide and third-degree assault. Meanwhile, the second officer, Jason Rosenblatt, was acquitted of all charges.
Sheneen McClain, Elijah's mother, clenched her fist in the courtroom as she heard the verdict. Prosecutors argued that the officers used excessive force and ignored signs that Elijah was in medical distress. The officers' defense claimed that their use of force was reasonable and that Elijah's death was due to a ketamine overdose administered by paramedics.
The incident unfolded when a driver called 911 after spotting Elijah, who was wearing a ski mask and a jacket, as he walked home from a convenience store. Officers Roedema, Rosenblatt, and a third officer, Nathan Woodyard, responded to the call.
They confronted Elijah, who was not carrying any weapons but had a grocery bag that officers found suspicious.
A physical altercation quickly ensued, during which the officers restrained Elijah against an apartment building wall. Roedema alleged that Elijah reached for an officer's gun, though it was unclear whose gun he was referring to.
Prosecutors cast doubt on this claim, stating that Rosenblatt couldn't feel anyone reaching for his weapon.
The officers applied carotid control holds, which caused Elijah to lose consciousness. Roedema further restrained Elijah using a "bar hammer lock." Elijah regained consciousness briefly, and the struggle continued.
Throughout the altercation, the officers held Elijah down despite his pleas that he couldn't breathe.
Additional officers arrived but failed to check Elijah's pulse or monitor his condition. Paramedics injected an excessive amount of ketamine while Elijah was handcuffed on the ground, leading to severe health complications.
He was declared brain dead a few days later.
The incident triggered nationwide protests against racial injustice. Elijah's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit and won a $15 million settlement.
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