Colorado Medics Indicted for Manslaughter

Two paramedics from Aurora Fire Rescue are among five people indicted in the death of Elijah McClain in 2019. Lieutenant Peter Cichuniec, medic Jeremy Cooper, and three police officers were charged with one count of manslaughter, one count of criminally negligent homicide, and various lesser charges of assault.

Police officers stopped McClain on August 24, 2019 as he was returning from a convenience store. Officers claim he resisted and they were forced to restrain him. Medics were requested and they later injected him with ketamine. McClain went into cardiac arrest and passed away at the hospital on August 30, 2019. He was 23-years-old.

Here is a copy of the 33 page indictment.

More on this story.

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.
x

Check Also

Virginia Firefighters Seek $1.5 Billion from PFAS Companies

Six Virginia firefighters and the estate of a deceased firefighter have filed suit against 25 companies associated with per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) seeking $1.5 Billion in damages. The named lead plaintiff in the action is Sara P. Chiaverotti, wife of Virginia Beach Fire Captain Matthew Chiaverotti who died from anaplastic thyroid cancer last year.

Pink Collar Theft From North Carolina VFD

An administrative assistant has been charged with stealing over $200,000 from a North Carolina volunteer fire department. Amanda Christine Lamb, 46, has been charged with embezzlement from the Lower Currituck County Volunteer Fire Department.