A second Colorado police officer has been acquitted in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain, a young, unarmed Black man whose case attracted national attention and became central to debates about police brutality and race.
Mr. McClain, a 23-year-old massage therapist, was approached by Mr. Woodyard after a 911 caller described him as “sketchy.” Mr. Woodyard quickly put his hands on Mr. McClain without explaining the reason for the stop, according to state prosecutors.
Within minutes, he placed Mr. McClain in a neck restraint, known as a carotid hold, briefly rendering him unconscious.
Paramedics then injected Mr. McClain with ketamine, a powerful sedative.
The verdict follows a recent split decision by another Colorado jury in an earlier trial involving officers in the same encounter.
Persons:
Elijah McClain, Black, Nathan Woodyard, McClain, . McClain, Woodyard, Mr
Organizations:
Colorado, Paramedics
Locations:
Aurora, Colo, Colorado