Elijah McClain Trial Updates
Jurors convicted a Denver-area police officer of homicide Thursday and acquitted another of all charges in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain, an African American man who was put in a neck hold, pinned to the ground and given an overdose of the sedative ketamine by paramedics.
Aurora police officer Randy Roedema was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide and third-degree assault by a 12-person jury. They found officer Jason Rosenblatt not guilty.
Both officers had held him on the ground and ignored his cries. A third officer is also facing charges and has an upcoming trial.
The Associated Press reports that Roedema faces up to three years in prison on the more serious homicide charge.
McClain’s mother listened to the verdict from the front row, where Attorney General Phil Weiser had his hand on her shoulder. Sheneen McClain held her right hand high in a raised fist as she left the courtroom. She expressed disappointment in the verdict.
Community organizer Lindsay Minter, expressed outrage that one officer was acquitted and that neither were convicted for more serious manslaughter charges. “I’m appalled. This is not enough for the murder of Elijah McClain,” Minter said.
Body Parts Stolen From Grave in Colorado
Body parts were stolen from Crown Hill Cemetery in Jefferson County Wednesday morning. The break-in was reported to authorities at about 7:20 a.m. Police say the casket inside the cemetery was damaged and some of the deceased person’s body parts were taken.
The suspects remain unknown and the investigation is pending.
Authorities ask that anyone with information call the Jefferson county tip line.
Kaiser Permanente Negotiates Deal
Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West announced that healthcare workers of the Kaiser Permanente unions reached a tentative agreement with Kaiser Permanente. The announcement came this morning, on the union’s X account – formerly known as Twitter.
A service employee union based in Denver also announced that the deal ensures a 21% raise over the span of four years and job security protections. This comes at the heels of a nationwide three-day strike that began Oct. 4.
The union says a formal announcement will be released soon and members will vote on the deal.
