Judge finds sufficient evidence to continue Elijah McClain case

A Colorado judge has found that evidence against the five former Aurora police officers and paramedics in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain is strong enough to pursue criminal cases.

Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old massage therapist and skilled violist, died following an encounter with police in August 2019 while he was walking home from a convenience store.

A passerby had called 911 to report McClain as "sketchy," as he was wearing a ski mask on a warm night. McClain's lawyer later attributed this to the fact that McClain was anemic and often cold.

Aurora police officers responded to the scene, grabbing McClain and using a carotid control hold, which led to McClain saying, "I can't breathe," and struggling against the police, according to police body camera footage.