Verdict in Aurora is in: Medics Guilty of Negligent Homicide

Posted by: Curt Varone December 25, 2023 0

The Aurora, Colorado firefighter-medics who were facing criminal charges in the ketamine-related death of Elijah McClain, have been found guilty of negligent homicide. Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec were called to assist police officers who were struggling to subdue McClain on August 30, 2019.

McClain was injected with 500mg. of ketamine in an attempt to subdue him. He coded and despite efforts to resuscitate him, he died three days later. CBSNews quoted from a statement issued by McClain’s mother, Sheneen McClain as saying:

  • The firefighters/paramedics could have made a difference for Elijah to still be here and alive, but they chose wrong instead of right.
  • If they had done the right things instead of following killer cop orders, then the killer cops would have been the only ones on trial, and I am sure they would have faced all of the blame alone with no one to cover up their crimes.
  • Ketamine causes amnesia, so if Elijah had survived, he wouldn’t have remembered what happened to him.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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