Posted on Dec 24, 2023
Paramedics found guilty of criminally negligent homicide in death of Elijah McClain
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Two Aurora paramedics were convicted of criminally negligent homicide for giving Elijah McClain, a Black, unarmed 23-year-old massage therapist, a fatal dose of ketamine in 2019 and not doing enough to help him while he struggled on the ground in handcuffs.
The supervising paramedic was found guilty of assault for unlawful administration of drugs, as well as a sentence enhancer that it caused death.
Supervising paramedic Peter Cichuniec, 51, and Jeremy Cooper, 49, gave McClain an overdose of ketamine, a powerful sedative, a few minutes after he had been violently detained by police and was catatonic as he was handcuffed and pinned to the ground.
Cichuniec’s guilty verdict in the second-degree assault charge has an in-custody requirement, so Cichuniec was handcuffed and led away from the courtroom.
Both were found not guilty of reckless manslaughter, which is a more serious charge than criminally negligent homicide.
Cichuniec and Cooper will be sentenced March 1, 2024.
The supervising paramedic was found guilty of assault for unlawful administration of drugs, as well as a sentence enhancer that it caused death.
Supervising paramedic Peter Cichuniec, 51, and Jeremy Cooper, 49, gave McClain an overdose of ketamine, a powerful sedative, a few minutes after he had been violently detained by police and was catatonic as he was handcuffed and pinned to the ground.
Cichuniec’s guilty verdict in the second-degree assault charge has an in-custody requirement, so Cichuniec was handcuffed and led away from the courtroom.
Both were found not guilty of reckless manslaughter, which is a more serious charge than criminally negligent homicide.
Cichuniec and Cooper will be sentenced March 1, 2024.
Paramedics found guilty of criminally negligent homicide in death of Elijah McClain
Posted from cpr.org
Aurora
Police
Law Enforcement
Murder
Posted 12 mo ago
Responses: 2
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As a Critical Care Paramedic myself, I have more questions than answers with this case. What DOES concern me is that, according to the article, both Paramedics did NOTHING for airway management post administration. This is a HUGE red flag for me. Larger doses of Ketamine are used in our protocols for Rapid Sequence Intubation (RSI). It can cause a patient to have reduced respiratory drive or even stop breathing completely.
I regularly use Ketamine for excited delirium. When used appropriately, it is a safe and effective medication.
I regularly use Ketamine for excited delirium. When used appropriately, it is a safe and effective medication.
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