Listen:
-
play_arrow
09_16_24 Alexis Kenyon
Judge overturns sentence for paramedic convicted for injecting Elijah McClain with fatal dose of ketamine
An Adams County judge, Mark Warner, has reduced the five-year prison sentence of the paramedic involved in Elijah McClain’s death to four years of probation.
A jury convicted Peter Cichuniec earlier this yearof criminally negligent homicide. Cichuniec oversaw the ketamine injection that led to Elijah McClain’s death in 2019.
Police stopped McClain, a 23-year-old Black man, in 2019 as he walked home from a convenience store. Though McClain committed no crime, officers restrained him with a carotid neck hold after receiving a 911 call that he looked “sketchy.” Cichuniec then oversaw as paramedics injected McClain with a fatal dose of ketamine.
After serving 119 days behind bars, Cichuniec requested a reduced sentence, which Judge Mark Warner of Adams County granted under a Colorado law for “exceptional” cases.
Prosecutors from the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, led by Phil Weiser, strongly opposed the reduction, arguing it weakens mandatory sentencing laws and undermines the justice served by the jury’s verdict.
Cichuniec’s supporters, including the International Association of Fire Fighters, praised the ruling, arguing that he didn’t belong behind bars. McClain’s death helped galvanize the movement for police reform and raised national concerns over the use of ketamine in law enforcement.
His death spurred nationwide protests and reforms to police practices and medical response protocols.
Gasoline tank expansion near Dupont Elementary canceled
A gasoline tank expansion near an elementary school in Commerce City was canceled last week after Magellan Pipeline Company withdrew from the project. Magellan had planned to expand its gasoline storage facility, which borders Dupont Elementary School in Commerce City. After protests from the community, ONEOK, the parent company of Magellan, decided to back out of the project. Local advocacy group Cultivando led the opposition and called the decision a victory for public health.
According to Magellan Pipeline, the company originally proposed the expansion to help the northern Front Range meet federal air quality standards by storing reformulated gasoline, which produces fewer ozone-causing pollutants. However, residents voiced concerns about health risks, particularly the release of benzene, a known carcinogen. The area around Dupont Elementary already experiences high levels of pollution, and community members argued that the expansion would worsen air quality in an already vulnerable neighborhood. Following public outcry, activists packed public meetings and comment sessions to demand action. Cultivando, a key player in the opposition, celebrated the company’s withdrawal as a win for the health and safety of local families.
RTD boots Greyhound
RTD is cutting ties with Greyhound, ending their contract for bus service at Union Station’s underground terminal by August 2025. According to Denverite, RTD cites ongoing issues with abandoned buses, long layovers, and loitering that have created safety concerns. Greyhound, which has used the terminal since 2020, acknowledged the problems but hopes to negotiate a new deal, stressing that their services are vital for low-income and vulnerable passengers.
This decision comes after years of complaints from passengers and RTD workers, and it will force Greyhound to find a new home in Denver. The company previously sold its downtown station in 2020 as its business struggled.
Boulder advances to top three cities that may host Sundance Film Festival
Boulder has emerged as a top contender to host the prestigious Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027, joining Cincinnati and Salt Lake City in the final round of consideration. With Park City, Utah, hosting the event for over four decades, Sundance’s potential move follows the expiration of its contract with Utah. Boulder’s creative landscape and economic contributions have drawn praise from Governor Jared Polis, who highlighted the synergy between the festival and the state’s artistic community. Boulder beat out Atlanta, Louisville (Kentucky), and Santa Fe to reach the final round. The decision will come after the 2025 festival, as officials evaluate each city’s logistical capabilities and cultural fit.
Fort Morgan man behind DIA airport jingles, has passed away
The artist behind Denver International Airport’s familiar train jingles, Jim Green, passed away this week at age 75, leaving a legacy of playful and thought-provoking public art scattered across Denver.
Green’s auditory installations reached far beyond the airport, from mysterious sounds on Curtis Street to laughing escalators at the Convention Center. His works, including interactive exhibits at the Denver Art Museum and the Children’s Museum, often aimed to disrupt the mundane with surprise and humor, adding a touch of joy to public spaces. Green’s passion for using sound to humanize urban environments, coupled with his belief in the power of art to provoke in positive ways, made him a beloved figure in Denver’s cultural scene. His passing is a notable loss, but his art lives on in the sounds that continue to brighten the city.
