Paramedic Sentenced To 5 Years In Ketamine Death Of Elijah McClain, Judge Says ‘It Is Impossible To Unremember’ Video Of His Suffering
Paramedic Peter Cichuniec received a five-year prison sentence late Friday, marking a significant development in the high-profile case of Elijah McClain’s death.
Cichuniec was convicted in December of criminally negligent homicide and second-degree assault for his role in McClain’s death while in police custody. His co-defendant, Jeremy Cooper, also faces a similar charge, with an upcoming sentencing hearing in April.
A criminal trial against paramedics, who are considered local government agents protected by statutory immunities, is unparalleled.
McClain’s mother Sheneen called the sentence the “bare minimum.”
“They had an opportunity to save him. He was speaking, he was talking when they got there,” she told CNN affiliate KUSA after the sentencing. “I can’t …