Attorney General Appointed To Investigate Elijah McClain’s Death

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has appointed Attorney General Phil Weiser as a special prosecutor to investigate the death of Elijah McClain — a 23-year-old unarmed Black man killed by cops last year.

None of the three Aurora officers involved in the incident were charged with his death. McClain died after he was placed in a chokehold, then given a sedative by medics, after he refused to stop for police who were responding to a report of a suspicious person walking down the street.

“I was moved by speaking with Elijah’s mother and her description of her son as a responsible and curious child who became a vegetarian to be healthier, and who could inspire the darkest soul,” Polis said in a statement. 

“His friends describe him as a gentle peacemaker who worked as a massage therapist and enjoyed playing the violin. Elijah McClain should be alive today, and we owe it to his family to take this step and elevate the pursuit of justice in his name to a statewide concern.”