AURORA, CO— The city of Aurora, Colorado will have paid former Police Officer Nathan Woodyard $429,895.51 after his acquittal on charges of reckless manslaughter that led to his resignation. Woodyard, an officer since 2016, was indicted following the death of Elijah McClain.
McClain passed away from a series of medical complications that followed the application of a carotid neck hold by another officer, Jasen Rosenblatt, which was unsuccessful. Woodyard then attempted the same, which rendered him unconscious.
As reported by 9News Now, the incident began with a call to 911 which described a masked man behaving in a "sketchy" fashion. McClain was at that time walking home from an Aurora convenience store, with a plastic shopping bag containing three iced teas and listening to music on his earphones. McClain was encountered first by Woodyard, who reportedly grabbed McClain and was then joined by two supporting officers, Randy Roedema, and Jason Rosenblatt.
The outlet explained that the three officers attempted to subdue McClain and the suspect allegedly attempted to seize Rosenblatt’s service weapon. Roedema called it out and Rosenblatt attempted to lock in a carotid neck hold to neutralize McClain by rendering him unconscious. This first effort failed. Woodyard then took over and successfully applied the hold. McClain ceased struggling and lost consciousness.
From there the situation went downhill rapidly. 9NewsNow reported that per trial testimony McClain suffered from an escalating series of complications after losing consciousness on the scene. He reportedly vomited and aspirated on his vomit. His body's acid level increased and his oxygen level dropped rapidly. Responding paramedics injected him with a sedative, ketamine, his heart stopped shortly afterward. He was resuscitated en route to an area hospital but passed away three days later.
In separate trials, officer Roedema was found guilty of negligent homicide and third-degree assault, while officers Rosenblatt and Woodyard were acquitted. The two responding paramedics, Peter Cichuniec and Jeremy Cooper, were also convicted on charges of reckless manslaughter, and Cichuniec was also found guilty of second-degree assault.
Following his acquittal, Woodyard was paid in three payments according to the outlet. He first received $212,546.04 in back-pay for money lost during his suspension, $200,000 for “backpay, accrued leave, and other consideration,” which accompanied an agreement to not seek legal action against Aurora, and $17,349.47 to cover one year of medical insurance.
Although he initially sought to return to duty, he eventually decided to resign with a two-sentence letter on the final day of his separation agreement with the city. He wrote, "After considerable thought, I have made the difficult decision to resign from the Aurora Police Department and the City of Aurora effective today, January 12, 2024. Please accept this letter of resignation.”
McClain passed away from a series of medical complications that followed the application of a carotid neck hold by another officer, Jasen Rosenblatt, which was unsuccessful. Woodyard then attempted the same, which rendered him unconscious.
As reported by 9News Now, the incident began with a call to 911 which described a masked man behaving in a "sketchy" fashion. McClain was at that time walking home from an Aurora convenience store, with a plastic shopping bag containing three iced teas and listening to music on his earphones. McClain was encountered first by Woodyard, who reportedly grabbed McClain and was then joined by two supporting officers, Randy Roedema, and Jason Rosenblatt.
The outlet explained that the three officers attempted to subdue McClain and the suspect allegedly attempted to seize Rosenblatt’s service weapon. Roedema called it out and Rosenblatt attempted to lock in a carotid neck hold to neutralize McClain by rendering him unconscious. This first effort failed. Woodyard then took over and successfully applied the hold. McClain ceased struggling and lost consciousness.
From there the situation went downhill rapidly. 9NewsNow reported that per trial testimony McClain suffered from an escalating series of complications after losing consciousness on the scene. He reportedly vomited and aspirated on his vomit. His body's acid level increased and his oxygen level dropped rapidly. Responding paramedics injected him with a sedative, ketamine, his heart stopped shortly afterward. He was resuscitated en route to an area hospital but passed away three days later.
In separate trials, officer Roedema was found guilty of negligent homicide and third-degree assault, while officers Rosenblatt and Woodyard were acquitted. The two responding paramedics, Peter Cichuniec and Jeremy Cooper, were also convicted on charges of reckless manslaughter, and Cichuniec was also found guilty of second-degree assault.
Following his acquittal, Woodyard was paid in three payments according to the outlet. He first received $212,546.04 in back-pay for money lost during his suspension, $200,000 for “backpay, accrued leave, and other consideration,” which accompanied an agreement to not seek legal action against Aurora, and $17,349.47 to cover one year of medical insurance.
Although he initially sought to return to duty, he eventually decided to resign with a two-sentence letter on the final day of his separation agreement with the city. He wrote, "After considerable thought, I have made the difficult decision to resign from the Aurora Police Department and the City of Aurora effective today, January 12, 2024. Please accept this letter of resignation.”
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Comments
2024-01-27T23:12-0500 | Comment by: Charles
Why did they stop him to begin with?
2024-01-27T23:12-0500 | Comment by: Charles
Why did they stop him to begin with?
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2024-02-01T22:20-0500 | Comment by: TWSfSopc
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