The Final Chapter: The Third Trial in Elijah McClain’s Case Begins
The third and final trial in the tragic case of Elijah McClain’s death in 2019 has commenced, focusing on the actions of Aurora Police officer Nathan Woodyard. McClain, a 23-year-old, was violently subdued by police on August 24, 2019, in Aurora, Colorado, and subsequently given ketamine by paramedics, leading to his death in a hospital.
Sgt. Dale Leonard, who was present at the scene, testified that the situation was chaotic, with a lack of clear leadership among the first responders. The body camera footage revealed that the paramedics did not put McClain in a recovery position before administering ketamine.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Arnall reviewed the case’s evidence, including body camera footage, autopsy records, and medical records. He noted that McClain did not have any injuries indicating the carotid hold was administered improperly. However, prosecutors argued that the hold, which temporarily restricts blood flow to the brain, contributed to McClain’s death.
Prosecutors also highlighted that Woodyard did not follow proper training regarding the recovery position and coherence check after the hold. McClain experienced multiple instances of vomiting, initially into his ski mask and later on the ground. This raised concerns about the risk of inhaling vomit during the detention.
Arnall, hired by Woodyard’s defense, maintained that the carotid hold requires only a short recovery time and suggested that McClain was in the correct position for recovery. However, the prosecution questioned Arnall’s objectivity, suggesting he prepared his report for the defense before fully reviewing the evidence.
The case’s complexity is further underscored by the autopsy report, which lists McClain’s cause of death as complications from ketamine following forcible restraint. Woodyard’s lawyers have argued that the large dose of ketamine, described as an overdose, was the primary cause of death. This point is particularly significant as the two paramedics who administered the ketamine also face charges and will undergo a separate trial.
