Ex-Colorado Officer Receives 14-Month Sentence in Elijah McClain Case

Speaking Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, in Brighton, Colorado, in the Adams County Court during Randy Roedema's sentence is Sheenen McClain.Photo byABC News One/Pool/AP

The sentencing of former Colorado police officer Randy Roedema in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain has brought mixed reactions and ongoing pain for McClain's family.

Roedema received 14 months in jail and four years of probation for criminally negligent homicide and assault charges related to McClain's death. Outside the court, McClain's mother, Sheneen, expressed profound disappointment in what she deemed "a slap on the wrist" and a lack of accountability for her son's tragic death. She called the sentencing unjust and emphasized the deep loss suffered by her family.

At his sentencing hearing at the Adams County Court on Friday, January 5, 2024, in Brighton, Colorado, Randy Roedema speaks on his behalf.Photo byABC News One/Pool/AP

Another officer involved in the case, Jason Rosenblatt, was acquitted of all charges, including reckless manslaughter and assault, during the same trial.

This decision brought further distress to McClain's family, who perceived it as a lack of justice. Roedema, who was previously suspended and later fired from the police department after his conviction, offered his condolences to McClain's family, acknowledging the tragedy of the situation.

During the trial, Roedema didn't testify, and his police interviews following the incident weren't presented as evidence. He expressed remorse and pondered what could have been done differently that night, acknowledging the unintended and tragic outcome. Sheneen McClain, however, demanded prison time for Roedema, holding him responsible for her son's death and referring to him as a "bully with a badge."

The case originated from an encounter where officers responded to a call about a "suspicious person." The interaction between McClain and the officers led to his being restrained and injected with ketamine by paramedics. McClain suffered a heart attack and passed away three days later. Although the case initially didn't lead to charges, renewed attention sparked by Black Lives Matter protests prompted a reevaluation. A grand jury indicted several officers and paramedics involved in McClain's death.

This series of events has left the family in ongoing grief, with McClain's mother expressing her profound loss and calling for stronger accountability. As the legal process continues for the paramedics involved, McClain's family remains in search of what they perceive as true justice for Elijah's untimely death.