Photo: Getty Images
The cops and paramedics charged in connection to the death of Elijah McClain appeared in court for the first time on Monday. REVOLT reports that five of the police officers and paramedics waived the right to have the charges read aloud to them before exiting the court.
Former police officer Jason Rosenblatt along with current police officers Randy Roedema and Nathan Woodyard have been charged with second-degree assault with intent to cause bodily injury and one count of a crime of violence. Meanwhile, medics Peter Cichuniec and Jeremy Cooper have been charged with three different accounts of second-degree assault with varying circumstances.
According to CBS Denver, McClain's mother, Sheneen McClain, was also in attendance for the first court hearing. It was reportedly the first time that she had been in the same room with the men accused of killing her son.
“Honestly, I’m glad I had my mask on because I was cussing underneath. It was heart-wrenching to see them. I purposely stared at every last one of them to see if they had the guts to look at me," Sheneen McClain said according to CBS Denver.
“None of them did. None of them did. That’s normal for cowards.”
All five men are expected to appear back in court on January 7, 2022.
McClain's case is one of several unfolding across the nation this week. In Virginia, the trial of the "Unite The Right" rally organizers is underway. Further west, Kyle Rittenhouse is on trial for wounding one person and killing two others during a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Down south, the trial of the three men accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery is in its second week. The families of the victims and survivors of the Dylan Roof shooting were also awarded a historic settlement.
Reading about Black trauma can have an impact on your mental health. If you or someone you know need immediate mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. These additional resources are also available:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
The National Alliance on Mental Illness 1-800-950-6264
The Association of Black Psychologists 1-301-449-3082
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America 1-240-485-1001
For more mental health resources, click HERE.
Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.