Community activists, lawmaker disheartened by not guilty verdict in trial in the death of Elijah McClain
Colorado Public RadioNov 07, 2023
Officer Charged in the Death of Elijah McClain Found Not Guilty
The Facts
A jury Monday found Nathan Woodyard, a white Aurora, Colorado police officer not guilty on all counts in the death of Elijah McClain, an unarmed Black man.
In August 2019, Woodyard stopped McClain on his walk home from a convenience store after an observer called 911 to report a suspicious person described as wearing a ski mask but with no weapon.
The Spin
Narrative A
With this verdict, McClain and his family were dealt a grave injustice. While lawmakers are a critical piece for supporting equal justice in law enforcement, no law will stop the dehumanization of Black men who are at risk of being killed by a cop for simply walking on the street. The verdict in this case demonstrates we have a malfunctioning justice system.
Narrative B
Due process was carried out in this tragic case. The jury believed Woordward's testimony about his application of the carotid hold that was used. That hold is now banned under Colorado law but was not at the time an accepted use of force. This horrific incident has nonetheless translated into important police reforms.
Narrative C
The Colorado Attorney General knew it would be difficult to bring accountability to the officers responsible for this tragedy. Even so, the not-guilty verdict is not the end of the story. The Attorney General will relentlessly pursue justice for Elijah and prepare for the upcoming trial of the paramedics who had a hand in his death.