Jury finds two Aurora paramedics guilty in 2019 death of Elijah McClain

• The paramedics made the decision to administer ketamine, a powerful sedative.

Of note: Jurors found Cichuniec guilty of one second-degree assault for unlawful administration of drug, and not guilty of an additional second-degree assault charge. Cooper was found not guilty of two second-degree assault charges.

• Jury deliberations started Thursday.

Catch up quick: The case involving 23-year-old McClain received renewed attention after George Floyd's murder in 2020, resulting in an indictment in 2021.

• Former Aurora police officer Randy Roedema was found guilty in October while two other responding officers were acquitted.

State of play: State prosecutors said Cooper and Cichuniec acted recklessly after arriving to render aid to McClain, who was put in a carotid hold and body slammed by Aurora police officers who arrested him.

• McClain received 500 milligrams of ketamine, the maximum dosage, after he was diagnosed with excited delirium by the paramedics.

• However, medical experts who testified said it was far above what someone his size needed.
• The state claimed decisions the two paramedics made ignored risks to McClain, including not conducting a proper assessment after arriving and ultimately killing him.

The other side: Calling McClain's death tragic, defense attorneys said the two men followed proper protocol — including for treating excited delirium —and their conduct wasn't criminal.

• The Denver Post reports both Cichuniec and Cooper have been fired by Aurora Fire Rescue as required by city charter.