ELIJAH MCCLAIN was a massage therapist who played violin for shelter kittens on his lunch break in his hometown of Aurora, Colorado, because he thought the animals were lonely. If that detail alone doesn't conjure up a picture of a gentle soul, Colorado Music described McClain as a young man who was "quirky, a pacifist, a vegetarian, enjoyed running, and known to put a smile on everyone's face." … He was unarmed. He was only 23. And his last words as the [Aurora CO Police] officers held him down are heartbreaking.
"I can't breathe. I have my ID right here. … I just can't breath correctly" ~ Annie Reneau, June 24, 2020, UpWorthy columnist
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On August 24, 2019, 23-year-old McClain was put into a chokehold by [Aurora CO] police officers who stopped him on a street in Aurora, Colorado after receiving a call of a "suspicious man" wearing a ski mask.
"According to Elijah's family, Elijah, who was anemic, preferred to wear a ski mask to keep his face warm while he was walking," the petition [to re-open the case] said. McClain was "walking home after buying some tea at a local convenience store" when the incident occurred.
In over three-hours' worth of body camera footage, McClain is seen laying on the ground vomiting and begging for the officers to stop using force as seven other officers stand by. One of the officers can be heard threatening McClain during the arrest, saying: "If you keep messing around, I'm going to bring my dog out and he's going to dog bite you."
First responders, who arrived on the scene, injected McClain with ketamine to "sedate" him. McClain suffered a heart attack on the way to the hospital and was declared brain dead three days later. ~ Katherine Fung, Newsweek, June 26, 2020
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[headline]Governor Polis Appoints Special Prosecutor to Investigate the Death of Elijah McClain []
THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2020
DENVER - Governor Jared Polis signed an Executive Order designating Phil Weiser, Attorney General of Colorado, as the State's prosecutor, to investigate and, if the facts support prosecution, criminally prosecute any individuals whose actions caused the death of Elijah McClain.
"I was moved by speaking with Elijah's mother and her description of her son as a responsible and curious child who became a vegetarian to be healthier, and who could inspire the darkest soul. His friends describe him as a gentle peacemaker who worked as a massage therapist and enjoyed playing the violin. Elijah McClain should be alive today, and we owe it to his family to take this step and elevate the pursuit of justice in his name to a statewide concern.
"Now more than ever, we must do everything within our power to foster public trust and confidence in law enforcement and the criminal justice system. That's why I have appointed a special prosecutor to investigate this case, and it's why earlier this month we took a step in the right direction by signing sweeping bipartisan police reform legislation into law that has now established significant new accountability for officer-involved killings.
"As a father, my heart breaks for the McClain family. All Coloradans should be safe walking home from the convenience store, or just being in their own neighborhoods listening to headphones. Unfortunately, I know that is not how many people -- especially young people of color -- feel in our state today, because I've heard it from them directly. We need to do a better job, and at a bare minimum they deserve a thorough review of the case," said Governor Polis.
~ from the official site of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, found at https://www.colorado.gov/governor/news/governor-polis-appoints-special-prosecutor-investigate-death-elijah-mcclain
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An investigative report on Elijah McClain's death published by the city of Aurora, CO can be found here: https://www.auroragov.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_1881137/File/News%20Items/Investigation%20Report%20and%20Recommendations%20(FINAL).pdf
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On Thursday August 26, 2021 a Colorado Grand Jury handed down a 32 count indictment. Two police officers, one former officer and two paramedics in Aurora, Colorado, will face charges in the death of Elijah McClain, a young Black man who was detained, placed in a chokehold and given a powerful sedative in a confrontation with police in 2019. The indictment comes after an eight-month grand jury investigation convened by Colorado's top prosecutor.
State Attorney General Phil Weiser on Wednesday said the five defendants will be charged with one count each of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, as well as other charges in the 32-count indictment.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/grand-jury-elijah-mcclain-investigation-indicts-officers-medics-2019-death-n1278240
__________
"I can't breathe. I have my ID right here. … I just can't breath correctly" ~ Annie Reneau, June 24, 2020, UpWorthy columnist
___________
On August 24, 2019, 23-year-old McClain was put into a chokehold by [Aurora CO] police officers who stopped him on a street in Aurora, Colorado after receiving a call of a "suspicious man" wearing a ski mask.
"According to Elijah's family, Elijah, who was anemic, preferred to wear a ski mask to keep his face warm while he was walking," the petition [to re-open the case] said. McClain was "walking home after buying some tea at a local convenience store" when the incident occurred.
In over three-hours' worth of body camera footage, McClain is seen laying on the ground vomiting and begging for the officers to stop using force as seven other officers stand by. One of the officers can be heard threatening McClain during the arrest, saying: "If you keep messing around, I'm going to bring my dog out and he's going to dog bite you."
First responders, who arrived on the scene, injected McClain with ketamine to "sedate" him. McClain suffered a heart attack on the way to the hospital and was declared brain dead three days later. ~ Katherine Fung, Newsweek, June 26, 2020
__________
[headline]Governor Polis Appoints Special Prosecutor to Investigate the Death of Elijah McClain []
THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2020
DENVER - Governor Jared Polis signed an Executive Order designating Phil Weiser, Attorney General of Colorado, as the State's prosecutor, to investigate and, if the facts support prosecution, criminally prosecute any individuals whose actions caused the death of Elijah McClain.
"I was moved by speaking with Elijah's mother and her description of her son as a responsible and curious child who became a vegetarian to be healthier, and who could inspire the darkest soul. His friends describe him as a gentle peacemaker who worked as a massage therapist and enjoyed playing the violin. Elijah McClain should be alive today, and we owe it to his family to take this step and elevate the pursuit of justice in his name to a statewide concern.
"Now more than ever, we must do everything within our power to foster public trust and confidence in law enforcement and the criminal justice system. That's why I have appointed a special prosecutor to investigate this case, and it's why earlier this month we took a step in the right direction by signing sweeping bipartisan police reform legislation into law that has now established significant new accountability for officer-involved killings.
"As a father, my heart breaks for the McClain family. All Coloradans should be safe walking home from the convenience store, or just being in their own neighborhoods listening to headphones. Unfortunately, I know that is not how many people -- especially young people of color -- feel in our state today, because I've heard it from them directly. We need to do a better job, and at a bare minimum they deserve a thorough review of the case," said Governor Polis.
~ from the official site of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, found at https://www.colorado.gov/governor/news/governor-polis-appoints-special-prosecutor-investigate-death-elijah-mcclain
__________
An investigative report on Elijah McClain's death published by the city of Aurora, CO can be found here: https://www.auroragov.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_1881137/File/News%20Items/Investigation%20Report%20and%20Recommendations%20(FINAL).pdf
__________
On Thursday August 26, 2021 a Colorado Grand Jury handed down a 32 count indictment. Two police officers, one former officer and two paramedics in Aurora, Colorado, will face charges in the death of Elijah McClain, a young Black man who was detained, placed in a chokehold and given a powerful sedative in a confrontation with police in 2019. The indictment comes after an eight-month grand jury investigation convened by Colorado's top prosecutor.
State Attorney General Phil Weiser on Wednesday said the five defendants will be charged with one count each of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, as well as other charges in the 32-count indictment.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/grand-jury-elijah-mcclain-investigation-indicts-officers-medics-2019-death-n1278240
__________
ELIJAH MCCLAIN was a massage therapist who played violin for shelter kittens on his lunch break in his hometown of Aurora, Colorado, because he thought the animals were lonely. If that detail alone doesn't conjure up a picture of a gentle soul, Colorado Music described McClain as a young man who was "quirky, a pacifist, a vegetarian, enjoyed running, and known to put a smile on everyone's face." … He was unarmed. He was only 23. And his last words as the [Aurora CO Police] officers held him down are heartbreaking.
"I can't breathe. I have my ID right here. … I just can't breath correctly" ~ Annie Reneau, June 24, 2020, UpWorthy columnist
___________
On August 24, 2019, 23-year-old McClain was put into a chokehold by [Aurora CO] police officers who stopped him on a street in Aurora, Colorado after receiving a call of a "suspicious man" wearing a ski mask.
"According to Elijah's family, Elijah, who was anemic, preferred to wear a ski mask to keep his face warm while he was walking," the petition [to re-open the case] said. McClain was "walking home after buying some tea at a local convenience store" when the incident occurred.
In over three-hours' worth of body camera footage, McClain is seen laying on the ground vomiting and begging for the officers to stop using force as seven other officers stand by. One of the officers can be heard threatening McClain during the arrest, saying: "If you keep messing around, I'm going to bring my dog out and he's going to dog bite you."
First responders, who arrived on the scene, injected McClain with ketamine to "sedate" him. McClain suffered a heart attack on the way to the hospital and was declared brain dead three days later. ~ Katherine Fung, Newsweek, June 26, 2020
__________
[headline]Governor Polis Appoints Special Prosecutor to Investigate the Death of Elijah McClain []
THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2020
DENVER - Governor Jared Polis signed an Executive Order designating Phil Weiser, Attorney General of Colorado, as the State's prosecutor, to investigate and, if the facts support prosecution, criminally prosecute any individuals whose actions caused the death of Elijah McClain.
"I was moved by speaking with Elijah's mother and her description of her son as a responsible and curious child who became a vegetarian to be healthier, and who could inspire the darkest soul. His friends describe him as a gentle peacemaker who worked as a massage therapist and enjoyed playing the violin. Elijah McClain should be alive today, and we owe it to his family to take this step and elevate the pursuit of justice in his name to a statewide concern.
"Now more than ever, we must do everything within our power to foster public trust and confidence in law enforcement and the criminal justice system. That's why I have appointed a special prosecutor to investigate this case, and it's why earlier this month we took a step in the right direction by signing sweeping bipartisan police reform legislation into law that has now established significant new accountability for officer-involved killings.
"As a father, my heart breaks for the McClain family. All Coloradans should be safe walking home from the convenience store, or just being in their own neighborhoods listening to headphones. Unfortunately, I know that is not how many people -- especially young people of color -- feel in our state today, because I've heard it from them directly. We need to do a better job, and at a bare minimum they deserve a thorough review of the case," said Governor Polis.
~ from the official site of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, found at https://www.colorado.gov/governor/news/governor-polis-appoints-special-prosecutor-investigate-death-elijah-mcclain
__________
An investigative report on Elijah McClain's death published by the city of Aurora, CO can be found here: https://www.auroragov.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_1881137/File/News%20Items/Investigation%20Report%20and%20Recommendations%20(FINAL).pdf
__________
On Thursday August 26, 2021 a Colorado Grand Jury handed down a 32 count indictment. Two police officers, one former officer and two paramedics in Aurora, Colorado, will face charges in the death of Elijah McClain, a young Black man who was detained, placed in a chokehold and given a powerful sedative in a confrontation with police in 2019. The indictment comes after an eight-month grand jury investigation convened by Colorado's top prosecutor.
State Attorney General Phil Weiser on Wednesday said the five defendants will be charged with one count each of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, as well as other charges in the 32-count indictment.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/grand-jury-elijah-mcclain-investigation-indicts-officers-medics-2019-death-n1278240
__________
"I can't breathe. I have my ID right here. … I just can't breath correctly" ~ Annie Reneau, June 24, 2020, UpWorthy columnist
___________
On August 24, 2019, 23-year-old McClain was put into a chokehold by [Aurora CO] police officers who stopped him on a street in Aurora, Colorado after receiving a call of a "suspicious man" wearing a ski mask.
"According to Elijah's family, Elijah, who was anemic, preferred to wear a ski mask to keep his face warm while he was walking," the petition [to re-open the case] said. McClain was "walking home after buying some tea at a local convenience store" when the incident occurred.
In over three-hours' worth of body camera footage, McClain is seen laying on the ground vomiting and begging for the officers to stop using force as seven other officers stand by. One of the officers can be heard threatening McClain during the arrest, saying: "If you keep messing around, I'm going to bring my dog out and he's going to dog bite you."
First responders, who arrived on the scene, injected McClain with ketamine to "sedate" him. McClain suffered a heart attack on the way to the hospital and was declared brain dead three days later. ~ Katherine Fung, Newsweek, June 26, 2020
__________
[headline]Governor Polis Appoints Special Prosecutor to Investigate the Death of Elijah McClain []
THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2020
DENVER - Governor Jared Polis signed an Executive Order designating Phil Weiser, Attorney General of Colorado, as the State's prosecutor, to investigate and, if the facts support prosecution, criminally prosecute any individuals whose actions caused the death of Elijah McClain.
"I was moved by speaking with Elijah's mother and her description of her son as a responsible and curious child who became a vegetarian to be healthier, and who could inspire the darkest soul. His friends describe him as a gentle peacemaker who worked as a massage therapist and enjoyed playing the violin. Elijah McClain should be alive today, and we owe it to his family to take this step and elevate the pursuit of justice in his name to a statewide concern.
"Now more than ever, we must do everything within our power to foster public trust and confidence in law enforcement and the criminal justice system. That's why I have appointed a special prosecutor to investigate this case, and it's why earlier this month we took a step in the right direction by signing sweeping bipartisan police reform legislation into law that has now established significant new accountability for officer-involved killings.
"As a father, my heart breaks for the McClain family. All Coloradans should be safe walking home from the convenience store, or just being in their own neighborhoods listening to headphones. Unfortunately, I know that is not how many people -- especially young people of color -- feel in our state today, because I've heard it from them directly. We need to do a better job, and at a bare minimum they deserve a thorough review of the case," said Governor Polis.
~ from the official site of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, found at https://www.colorado.gov/governor/news/governor-polis-appoints-special-prosecutor-investigate-death-elijah-mcclain
__________
An investigative report on Elijah McClain's death published by the city of Aurora, CO can be found here: https://www.auroragov.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_1881137/File/News%20Items/Investigation%20Report%20and%20Recommendations%20(FINAL).pdf
__________
On Thursday August 26, 2021 a Colorado Grand Jury handed down a 32 count indictment. Two police officers, one former officer and two paramedics in Aurora, Colorado, will face charges in the death of Elijah McClain, a young Black man who was detained, placed in a chokehold and given a powerful sedative in a confrontation with police in 2019. The indictment comes after an eight-month grand jury investigation convened by Colorado's top prosecutor.
State Attorney General Phil Weiser on Wednesday said the five defendants will be charged with one count each of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, as well as other charges in the 32-count indictment.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/grand-jury-elijah-mcclain-investigation-indicts-officers-medics-2019-death-n1278240
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