CNN; Published By Andi Babineau and Eric Levenson
Opening statements began Wednesday in the trial of two Aurora, Colorado, police officers who arrested Elijah McClain, an unarmed 23-year-old Black man who died after their encounter more than four years ago.
Randy Roedema and Jason Rosenblatt have pleaded not guilty to charges of reckless manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and assault causing serious bodily injury in connection with McClain’s death. Rosenblatt was fired by the police department in 2020 and Roedema remains suspended.
Prosecutors began their opening statement after Judge Mark Warner seated the jury, which includes 14 members – 12 primary jurors and two alternates.
The case stems from the arrest of McClain on August 24, 2019, when officers responded to a call about a “suspicious person” wearing a ski mask, according to the indictment. The officers confronted McClain, a massage therapist, musician and animal lover, who was walking home from a convenience store carrying a plastic bag with iced tea. Read more
