In a landmark case, two Denver-area paramedics, Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec, have been found guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the death of Elijah McClain. McClain, a 23-year-old Black man, was walking home in Aurora in 2019 when he was stopped by police officers who restrained him and then injected him with ketamine. He went into cardiac arrest shortly after and died three days later. Cooper and Cichuniec were convicted on charges of criminally negligent homicide, with Cichuniec also being found guilty of second-degree assault- unlawful administration of drugs. The jury acquitted Cooper of the assault charges. This case is significant as it is the first of several recent criminal prosecutions against medical first responders to reach trial, potentially setting a precedent for future cases.

The trial explored uncharted legal territory as it is rare for medical first responders to face criminal charges. The defense argued that the paramedics followed their training in administering ketamine to McClain, claiming he exhibited signs of "excited delirium," a disputed condition that some say is unscientific and has been used to justify excessive force. However, prosecutors contended that the paramedics did not conduct basic medical checks on McClain, such as taking his pulse, before administering the sedative. Experts testified that the dose of ketamine given to McClain was too much for someone of his size, and prosecutors argued that the paramedics failed to monitor him immediately after administration, which made it harder for him to breathe.

The verdict comes after a jury in Washington state cleared three police officers of all charges in the 2020 death of Manuel Ellis, another Black man who died after being restrained by officers. These cases, along with the killings of George Floyd and others, have sparked nationwide protests and prompted legislative action to limit the use of neck holds by law enforcement.

The paramedics' convictions follow the conviction of an Aurora police officer earlier this year for homicide and third-degree assault in McClain's death. Two other officers involved were acquitted. The city of Aurora agreed to pay $15 million to settle a lawsuit brought by McClain's parents.

Throughout the trial, the use of ketamine and the amount administered to McClain came under scrutiny. The defense argued that the paramedics believed they were following their training by administering the drug due to McClain's agitated state and unusual strength. However, the prosecution challenged their decision not to ask McClain any questions before administering ketamine and argued that the paramedics knew the risks of giving an overdose of the sedative.

The verdict in this case has implications for future cases involving medical first responders. It sets a precedent for prosecutors to pursue criminal charges against paramedics and holds them accountable for their actions. The Colorado state regulators have also updated guidelines, advising paramedics not to administer ketamine to individuals suspected of having excited delirium.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser expressed satisfaction with the guilty verdict and emphasized that McClain's life mattered. The sentencing for Cooper and Cichuniec is yet to be determined, but they could face years in prison. This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing calls for police and medical reform and the need to address the disproportionate use of force against Black individuals.