In a high-profile trial surrounding the death of Elijah McClain, two Colorado paramedics were accused of neglecting to provide medical assistance to the 23-year-old Black man. Prosecutors argued that the paramedics injected McClain with a lethal dose of a powerful sedative instead of offering him necessary medical treatment. The incident took place in 2019 in a Denver suburb after McClain had been restrained by officers who used neck holds. The case gained renewed attention during the social justice protests following George Floyd's murder in 2020.

The trial, which is the final jury trial related to McClain's death, has brought to light questions about the actions of both the paramedics and the officers involved. The paramedics, Jeremy Cooper and Lt Peter Cichuniec, pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and multiple counts of assault.

During opening statements, the Colorado solicitor general, Shannon Stevenson, asserted that the paramedics "did nothing" to assist McClain and instead administered an overdose of a powerful sedative that he did not medically require. Stevenson emphasized that McClain was already weak from the police neck holds when the paramedics arrived at the scene. The defense attorney for Cooper, Shana Beggan, pointed out that the decision to use the sedative ketamine was based on the officers' description of McClain resisting them and displaying unusually strong physical strength. Beggan argued that law enforcement officers were in control of the situation and failed to provide crucial information about McClain's condition to the paramedics.

Shortly after receiving the ketamine injection, McClain went into cardiac arrest while being transported to the hospital and was pronounced dead three days later. The amended coroner's report in 2021 concluded that McClain's death resulted from "complications of ketamine administration following forcible restraint." Experts called upon by the prosecution in earlier trials agreed that the ketamine was the primary cause of McClain's death.

The details of the case have shed light on the use of ketamine by police and paramedics and have prompted increased scrutiny. It is often employed at the request of law enforcement when they perceive suspects as being unmanageable. The amended autopsy report revealed that McClain, who weighed 140lbs (64kg), had been given a higher dose of ketamine than recommended for someone of his size, leading to an overdose.

In the earlier trials involving the police officers, one was acquitted, while another was convicted of criminally negligent homicide and third-degree assault. The acquitted officer, Jason Rosenblatt, was subsequently fired in 2020 due to his response to a photo re-enacting a neck hold similar to the one used on McClain.

The current trial of the paramedics highlights the ongoing pursuit for justice in McClain's case and further exposes issues of racial bias and excessive force within the Aurora police department. The outcome of the trial will be closely watched, with public attention focused on the accountability of both officers and medical professionals in cases involving the use of force against Black individuals.

This case serves as a pivotal moment in calls for police reforms and the examination of procedures related to the administration of sedatives by paramedics, particularly when responding to individuals in distress. The trial proceedings are expected to continue as the defense presents its case in response to the prosecution's allegations.