Former first responder Jeremy Cooper received a four-year probation sentence on Friday for his involvement in the tragic death of Elijah McClain.
The sentencing of McClain’s death has reached its conclusion with the final man being held accountable.
District Court Judge Mark Warner has imposed a sentence that includes 14 months in jail with work-release and 100 hours of community service.
He will begin serving his sentence on June 7.
Warner emphasized the significance of Elijah McClain’s life, stating that it mattered and continues to matter. He expressed his disbelief at the unfolding events and the specific details surrounding this case.
Cooper faced a conviction for negligent homicide in the tragic killing that occurred in 2019. The incident took place in Aurora, Colorado, when paramedics administered ketamine to sedate McClain, a 23-year-old individual, during a police encounter.
McClain, a Black man, was killed despite being unarmed and without any accusations of breaking the law.
Cooper could have been sentenced to a maximum of three years behind bars. However, when pronouncing the sentence, Warner emphasized that although Cooper had administered a higher dose of ketamine to McClain than what was recommended for someone of his size, Cooper had expressed genuine remorse and was unlikely to engage in criminal behavior again.
Cooper and his co-defendant Peter Cichuniec were convicted of negligent homicide in December. Cichuniec received a five-year sentence for assault and an additional year for the charge of criminally negligent homicide.
McClain’s treatment before and after being administered ketamine was found to be improper.
“After the December verdicts, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser expressed his belief that Elijah’s actions on that evening were not in the wrong. He emphasized that Elijah’s life held value and that he should be alive today. Weiser also emphasized the importance of accountability, stating that the trials were not the end of the matter. He called attention to the concerning trend of unnecessary escalation of force by officers in situations that do not warrant it, resulting in tragic deaths.”
McClain found himself in a tense situation when the police confronted him after receiving a report from a concerned 911 caller. Within moments, an officer swiftly apprehended him, forcefully bringing him down to the ground. Unfortunately, during this encounter, McClain ended up in a position that restricted the oxygen flow to his brain for a brief period.
Randy Roedema, a former Colorado police officer, has been sentenced to 14 months in prison and four years probation for his involvement in the death of McClain.
Jason Rosenblatt, a former officer, was acquitted in the case.
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