Former Paramedic Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for The Death of Elijah McClain

COLORADO— Earlier this month former-paramedic Peter Cichuniec was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the 2019 death of 23-year-old Elijah McClain.

Cichuniec, who was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide and second-degree assault, received the minimum sentence for administering a lethal dose of ketamine to McClain during a botched arrest.

Police and paramedics arrived on the scene in August of 2019 while responding to a call about a suspicious person wearing a ski-mask. McClain, who was on his way home when the cops were called, suffered from a blood disorder which made it difficult for him to regulate his temperature.

During the arrest, police held McClain to the ground while Cichuniec, and the other paramedic present, administered enough ketamine for a 200lb person. McClain weighed just over 140lbs.

So far, Cichuniec’s sentence has been the most lengthy of any first responder on the scene. Ex-police officer Randy Roedema received a 14 month sentenced for criminally negligent homicide and assault, while officers Jason Rosenblatt and Nathan Woodyard were fully acquitted.

Cichuniec’s co-defendant, Jeremy Cooper, another paramedic on the scene, was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide and will be sentenced next month.

Is this justice?