Paramedic's Prison Sentence for Elijah McClain's Death Reduced to Probation A Colorado paramedic, Peter Cichuniec, who was initially sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the death of Elijah McClain in 2019, had his punishment reduced to probation on Friday. Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old Black man, died after being placed in a chokehold by Aurora police officers and injected with ketamine by paramedics. Cichuniec, the senior paramedic involved, was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide and second-degree assault for administering an excessive amount of the sedative. The judge cited unusual and extenuating circumstances as the reason for the sentence reduction, highlighting Cichuniec's lack of criminal history and good character, as well as the quick decisions he had to make on the night of the incident. This decision, however, has drawn disappointment from prosecutors. The case against Cichuniec and others involved in McClain's death has sparked controversy and anger, particularly within the emergency medical worker community. The reduction of Cichuniec's sentence has raised concerns about undermining the jury's verdict and the legislature's mandatory sentencing scheme. Elijah McClain's mother has been calling for justice, emphasizing that her son's death was preventable and holding all five police officers and paramedics responsible. Despite her opposition to the sentence reduction, the court proceeded with the decision.