Colorado Jury Acquits Police Officer Charged in Elijah McClain Death

By BERT HOOVER (staff@latinpost.com) First Posted: Nov 07, 2023 12:01 AM EST

Jurors rendered a verdict of not guilty on all counts for the Colorado police officer who used a neck hold on Elijah McClain, leading to the 23-year-old's tragic death over four years ago. (Photo : Rich Fury/Getty Images)

In the second trial related to the tragic death of 23-year-old Elijah McClain following an encounter with Colorado police, a jury acquitted Nathan Woodyard of charges of reckless manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, according to ABC News.

Nathan Woodyard, the first officer on the scene in August 2019, had placed McClain in a carotid hold, and he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following the verdict, Woodyard's lawyers, Megan Downing and Andrew Ho, issued a statement expressing their respect for the process and relief at what they deemed a just outcome for their client.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser acknowledged the verdict, stating that it was not the one they had hoped for but emphasized their respect for the jury system and acceptance of the outcome.

He reiterated their commitment to seeking accountability and justice for Elijah McClain and his family and friends.

Elijah McClain's Mother Reacts to Verdict

Elijah McClain's mother, Sheneen McClain, responded to the verdict by expressing her loss of faith in the justice system.

She conveyed her disappointment that everyone involved in her son's death had not faced more accountability, per CNN.

Two paramedics who were charged in connection with his death were scheduled for trial in the coming weeks.

"It's just unfortunate that the people that stopped my son brutalized my son, tortured my son, got away with murder, and then passed on what they did to the medical professionals that still were supposed to do their job," she said. "Nobody did. So it's just unfortunate that they are placing the blame and passing the buck."

McClain's mother and local activist, MiDian Holmes, left the courthouse after the verdict, holding hands and raising their fists in the air.

Elijah McClain Death

During the trial, it was argued that Woodyard escalated the situation unnecessarily, along with two other officers, as they restrained McClain on the ground.

Woodyard used a carotid hold on McClain after McClain allegedly reached for an officer's gun, which led to McClain briefly losing consciousness.

Prosecutors contended that this series of events, including a subsequent overdose of ketamine administered by paramedics, ultimately led to Elijah McClain's death, The Denver Post reports.

The defense argued that the neck hold was not a contributing factor to McClain's death, placing blame on the overdose of ketamine and the actions of the other two officers who continued to restrain McClain as his condition worsened after Woodyard had left the scene.

Unlike the first two officers who were prosecuted, Nathan Woodyard took the stand during his trial and testified that he used the neck hold because he feared for his life based on comments he heard from McClain.

Prosecutors disputed McClain's attempt to grab an officer's gun, which could not be seen in body camera footage.

While the cases against Woodyard and another officer have concluded, a third officer, Roedema, is scheduled for sentencing in January.

He faces potential prison time for the homicide conviction and jail time for the assault conviction.

The Elijah McClain death prompted protests and changes in state law related to the use of ketamine during police encounters and led to a consent decree regarding the Aurora Police Department.

Additionally, the city of Aurora agreed to a $15 million settlement in 2021 to resolve a civil rights lawsuit brought by McClain's parents, marking the largest settlement in a police misconduct case in state history at the time.