Randy Roedema, the former Colorado officer convicted of killing 23-year-old Elijah McClain has been sentenced to 14 months in jail, an Adams County District Judge ruled on Friday.
Judge Mark Warner said he made the decision after considering the 41-year-old former cop’s “good character”, his indifference during the incident and whether he can be rehabilitated.
The officer had no criminal history and previously served as a Marine in combat. A jury found Mr Roedema guilty of third-degree assault and criminally negligent homicide in October.
Speaking of officials who responded to the scene in August 2019, Prosecutor Duane Lyons said, “They were trained. They were told what to do. They were given instructions. They had opportunities, and they failed to choose to de-escalate violence when they needed to, they failed to listen to Mr McClain when they needed to, and they failed Mr McClain.”
A 911 caller reported the unarmed massage therapist after they spotted him walking home from a convenience store in Denver while listening to music and wearing a ski mask on 24 August 2019. The caller reportedly referred to the 23-year-old as seeming “sketchy”.
When officers encountered the man, they put him in a neck hold and paramedics that later arrived on the scene injected him with ketamine, which sent him into cardiac arrest. He died days later on 30 August 2019. A coroner found that the man’s death was likely due to ketamine toxicity.
Mr Roedema, who held a senior role, heard Mr McClain’s shoulder pop after placing him in a hammer lock. He was later suspended.
Two paramedics and three officers, including Mr Roedema, were indicted over the roles they played in Mr McClain’s death.
The paramedics, Peter Cichuniec and Jeremy Cooper, were convicted of criminally negligent homicide late December. Jason Rosenblatt, another officer who was arrested for his involvement in the case, was found not guilty of reckless manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and assault.
The third officer, Nathan Woodyard, was found not guilty of reckless manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.
Prosecutors asked for Mr Roedema to be handed three years behind bars, while the man’s attorneys asked that he escape prison time, citing his military record.
Officials originally considered charging Mr Roedema with reckless manslaughter, but ultimately decided against it.
Speaking to Mr McClain’s family during proceedings, the former official said, “I want the McClain family to know the sadness I feel about Elijah being gone. He was young.”
He continued: “I often think about what happened on that evening Elijah was taken to the hospital. I cannot help but to contemplate all the different scenarios that could have taken place that evening that may have resulted in a different outcome.”
Mr McClain’s mother, Sheneen McClain, called the man a bully ahead of his sentencing on Friday. “Peace officers are not supposed to be murderers,” she said. “But that is what Randy Roedema became”.
She added: “Prison is the only accountable justice that Randy Roedema deserves”.
In October 2021, Mr McClain’s family reached a settlement with the city of Aurora for $15m.
In a statement following the agreement, a representative for the man’s father, LaWayne Mosley, said, “nothing will bring back his son Elijah, who he loved dearly, but he is hopeful that this settlement with Aurora, and the criminal charges against the officers and medics who killed Elijah, will allow his family and the community to begin to heal.”
