Paramedic Peter Cichuniec: Conversion of Prison Sentence to Probation

Peter Cichuniec, a former paramedic in Colorado, was sentenced to five years in prison in March. A judge has now reduced this sentence due to "extraordinary and mitigating circumstances." The former lieutenant at Aurora Fire Rescue was convicted for his role in the death of Elijah McClain in 2019. McClain, a 23-year-old African American, died following an encounter with the Aurora police. The officers placed him in a chokehold, after which a paramedic injected him with a high dose of ketamine. Cichuniec was the supervisor of the paramedic who, according to the prosecution, administered an excessive amount of the sedative. In March, Judge Mark Warner of the Adams County District Court sentenced Cichuniec to five years in prison, the statutory minimum. On Friday, the judge justified the sentence reduction with "extraordinary and mitigating circumstances," as reported by the Denver Post. Prosecutors who charged the five police officers and paramedics involved in the McClain case expressed disappointment at this decision. "After reviewing the evidence, a statewide grand jury indicted Cichuniec, and a jury of his peers found him guilty of the crimes that led to Elijah McClain's death," stated the Colorado Attorney General's office in a statement. "We are disappointed that the court has reduced his sentence today but respect the court's decision." This report is being continually updated.