Colo. Court of Appeals reverses former paramedics' convictions in McClain death

Local News Colorado Court of Appeals reverses convictions for former paramedics in Elijah McClain's death By Jennifer McRae Jennifer McRae Digital Media Producer, CBS Colorado Jennifer McRae is a digital media producer for CBS Colorado with more than 25 years of experience in news. Jennifer is part of the digital team recognized for excellence for Best Website several times by the Colorado Broadcasters Association. Read Full Bio Jennifer McRae June 4, 2026 / 12:51 PM EDT / CBS Colorado Add CBS News on Google The Colorado Court of Appeals reversed the criminally negligent homicide convictions for the former paramedics in the death of Elijah McClain. The decision by the court states that both men will be remanded for a new trial on that charge, which was announced on Thursday morning. McClain was walking home in August 2019 when the 23-year-old Black man was confronted by police officers who forcibly restrained him and then the Aurora Fire Rescue paramedics -- Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec -- injected him with ketamine.  Cooper and Cichuniec were both convicted on charges of criminally negligent homicide in December 2023.   Body camera video from an Aurora police officer shows paramedics injecting Elijah McClain with ketamine. Aurora Police Department The Colorado Court of Appeals stated that the court affirms Cichuniec's conviction for second-degree assault.  More from CBS News Long Beach police launch investigation after man stabbed to death