Judge modifies sentence for paramedic convicted in Elijah McClain’s death, allowing for early release from prison.

A judge in Colorado modified the five-year prison sentence for paramedic Peter Cichuniec, who was convicted in the death of Elijah McClain, to four years’ probation. McClain was given a lethal dose of ketamine in 2019 after a confrontation with police. Cichuniec was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide and second-degree assault in McClain’s death. Police confronted McClain in Aurora after someone reported a suspicious person wearing a ski mask, which he regularly wore due to a medical condition. Paramedics injected him with ketamine, causing him to go into cardiac arrest and die days later. Another paramedic involved in the case, Jeremy Cooper, was also found guilty of criminally negligent homicide and sentenced to four years’ probation. Colorado’s attorney general expressed disappointment over the modification of Cichuniec’s sentence to probation, but stated that they respect the court’s decision. The case is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Antonio Planas is reporting on this developing story for NBC News Digital.

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