Paramedic In Elijah McClain Death Quietly Released From Prison After Just 6 Months

Source: Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images / Getty

Peter Cichuniec, the white paramedic who helped to administer a large dose of ketamine to Elijah McClain during his wrongful arrest in August 2019, saw his five-year prison sentence reduced to four years probation on Sept. 13, according to the Denver Post.

Judge Mark Warner of the Adams County District Court granted Cichuniec’s request for a sentence reduction following a brief hearing. In June, Cichuniec had sought a reduction, arguing that his case presented “unusual” and “exceptional” circumstances.

In March, Judge Warner had imposed the mandatory minimum five-year prison sentence for the assault conviction, as required by Colorado law. However, Cichuniec’s June request for a sentence reduction was considered after he had served at least 119 days in prison. Following an assessment by the Colorado Department of Corrections, Warner decided to reduce the sentence, citing Cichuniec’s lack of prior criminal history, his potential for rehabilitation, good character, and his role in the events leading up to McClain’s death. Warner noted that while Cichuniec was the highest-ranking paramedic at the scene, his primary responsibilities were logistical and focused on the safety of others involved.

In March, Cichuniec, 51, was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide and assault by drugging related to the death of McClain, a 23-year-old Black man. McClain was walking in an Aurora, Colorado, suburb when police responded to a report of a suspicious person, forcibly restrained him, and placed him in a neck hold. He also received an overdose of ketamine from Jeremy Cooper, a paramedic who was called to the arrest site with Cichuneic.

At the time, Cichuniec was overseeing Cooper when he administered the drug, which was reportedly potent enough to sedate a person weighing 200 pounds, despite McClain weighing only 143 pounds, CNN noted. McClain suffered a heart attack en route to the hospital and was pronounced dead three days later.

During the trial, Cichuniec and his colleague admitted to administering an excessive dose of ketamine to McClain due to a miscalculation of his weight. Cichuniec further explained that he decided to administer the 500-milligram dose without checking McClain’s height or weight, citing McClain’s condition as “excited delirium”—a controversial diagnosis used to describe severe agitation in individuals being restrained by police. The oversight, coupled with the failure to obtain consent, led to the assault charge, as medical professionals are required to seek approval for such interventions unless there are clear, legitimate medical reasons.

The Colorado Attorney General’s Office said they were disappointed in Judge Warner’s decision after Cichuniec was released from custody Friday.

“After considering the evidence, a statewide grand jury indicted Cichuniec, and a jury of his peers found him guilty of his criminal acts that led to the death of Elijah McClain,” officials said in a statement. “We are disappointed the court reduced his sentence today, but we respect the court’s decision.”

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