Elijah McClain (2019)
Overview
On August 24, 2019, Aurora Colorado Police Department officers Randy Roedema, Jason Rosenblatt, and Nathan Woodyard confronted McClain after responding to a call about an unarmed person wearing a ski mask that looked "sketchy".
McClain was forcibly held to the ground with his hands cuffed behind his back. Paramedics later administered ketamine to McClain to sedate him. While on scene, McClain went into cardiac arrest. Three days after arriving at the hospital, he was declared brain dead, and was removed from life support on August 30.
On Oct 20, 2019, Erica Marrero, Jaron Jones, and Kyle Dittrich were on-duty and had just completed a call in the area when they took photos near McClain’s memorial. Another officer reported the photos to a sergeant in June, 2020.[1]
On November 22, 2019, District Attorney Dave Young stated that charges would not be filed against the officers, as the pathologist who conducted the autopsy stated that he was unable to conclude that the actions of any law enforcement officer caused Mr. McClain’s death. [2]
On Feb 6, 2020, an Aurora Police Department internal Force Review Board cleared the three officers, finding that their actions were "within policy and consistent with training." [3]
On June 25, 2020, District Attorney Dave Young restated that charges would not be filed against the officers.[4]
On June 25, 2020, Colorado Governor Jared Polis appointed Weiser as a special prosecutor in the case. [5]
On July 3, 2020, Interim Chief of Police Vanessa Wilson announces the termination of Erica Marrero, Kyle Dittrich, and Jason Rosenblatt in relation to inappropriate photos taken at the Elijah McClain memorial site, and the resignation of Jaron Jones who was involved in the photo incident.[6]
On Aug. 11, 2020, the family of Elijah McClain files a federal lawsuit against the city of Aurora and several employees, claiming excessive force, denial of equal protection, failure to ensure basic safety and provide adequate medical care and treatment, substantive due process -- deprivation of liberty -- forcible administration of medication, battery causing wrongful death, and negligence causing wrongful death.[6][7]
On September 1, 2021, a grand jury returned 32 counts against Roedema, Rosenblatt, Woodyard, and two paramedics involved.[8][9]
On October 18, 2021, attorneys representing McClain's estate announced they had settled their federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Aurora for an undisclosed sum.[10]
On November 17, 2021, news sources reported that the city agreed to pay $15 million to settle the lawsuit.[11]
In August 2023, prosecutors removed the "crime of violence" sentence enhancement against Roedema and Rosenblatt, which would have imposed higher minimum prison sentences. The prosecutor claimed that the enhancement charges were "unnecessary and would not affect the amount of time the officers might spend in prison".[12]
Officers Involved
Official Reports
- District Attory Dave Young's Report to the Chief of Police, Nov 22, 2019
- Aurora Police Department Photo Investigation Press Conference, Jul 3, 2020.
- City of Aurora Investigation Report and Recommendations, Feb 22, 2021.
- Presentation of independent investigation to the city council, Feb 22, 2021.
Additional Sources
References
- ↑ Patty Nieberg, Cops fired over photos of chokehold used on Elijah McClain, Associated Press, 2020-07-10
- ↑ Dave Young, Report on the Investigation into the death of Elijah McClain, District Attorney's Office, 2019-11-22
- ↑ Allison Sylte, Police board clears Aurora officers in death of Elijah McClain, 23, 9News, 2021-02-22
- ↑ Elijah McClain Death: District Attorney Says Evidence Does Not Support Homicide Ruling, CBS4 Denver, 2020-06-25
- ↑ Executive Order Designating State's Prosecutor, Governor Jared Polis, 2020-06-25
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 The Elijah McClain Case, City of Aurora, 2020-07-03
- ↑ Leslie Perrot, Elijah McClain's family files civil rights lawsuit against Aurora, Colorado, CNN, 2020-08-11
- ↑ Grand jury returns 32-count indictment in Elijah McClain case, 9News, 2021-09-01
- ↑ Statewide grand jury returns 32-count indictment against Aurora Police officers and Aurora Fire Rescue paramedics in the death of Elijah McClain, Colorado Attorney General, 2021-09-01
- ↑ Quincy Snowdon, Attorneys announce settlement agreement in Elijah McClain civil case; amount not revealed, Sentinel Colorado, 2021-10-18
- ↑ Brian Maass, Aurora Agrees To Pay $15 Million In Elijah McClain Case; Largest Police Related Settlement In City, Colorado History, CBS 4 Denver, 2021-11-17
- ↑ Shelly Bradbury, Charges reduced for two officers in Elijah McClain case as trial nears, Denver Post, 2023-08-21
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