Attorney General Phil Weiser statement regarding final sentencing in Elijah McClain death trials
April 26, 2024 (DENVER)—Attorney General Phil Weiser released the following statement regarding the court sentencing paramedic Jeremy Cooper to 14 months work release and four years probation for the criminally negligent homicide of Elijah McClain:
“Today’s sentencing marks the end of a very long chapter. Close to four years ago, we were appointed as special prosecutor to investigate and potentially prosecute those responsible for the death of Elijah McClain. With this sentence, we now have accountability for another defendant who failed to act the way the law requires, and we have a measure of justice for Elijah McClain, his family, and loved ones. True justice, however, would be having Elijah alive today. His death was an unnecessary tragedy.
“There were many things that the officers and paramedics could have done the night of August 24, 2019 to prevent this deadly encounter. We recognize important work around integrity in law enforcement and improving first responders remains to be done, and Elijah McClain’s memory will continue to inspire us to do that work.”
