Police REFUSE to hand over records of Elijah McClain death cops – as family’s lawyer accuses them of ‘hiding evidence’
POLICE have refused to hand over the personnel records of the three officers involved in the death of Elijah McClain.
Tragic Elijah, an unarmed 23-year-old black man, died after being placed in a chokehold by police in Aurora, , and injected with the powerful sedative ketamine.
On his way home, Aurora PD officers received a phone call complaint of a "suspicious" man walking around the neighborhood.
In bodycam footage obtained by McClain's family, an officer reportedly threatens him for struggling.
The other two officers involved in Elijah's death remain in the field.
Aurora Police had begun to conduct an investigation into Elijah's death when it was revealed that the attorney conducting it - Eric Daigle - was actually a former police officer who advertised his track record in defending law enforcement from liability claims.
"Aurora PD had claimed to have hired an independent investigator to look into the case but we soon found out the person they hired was not independent at all but was rather a former police officer who now works defending officers accused of excessive force," Newman said.
"That was not part of an investigation that was part of the cover up.
"With regards to any investigation that Aurora does I have exactly zero faith that they have any intention of getting to the truth. Their intention is at all times to try and cover up wrongdoing and avoid accountability."
There are currently several other investigations ongoing into Elijah's death although his family are not "holding their breath".
"The state of Colorado governor has appointed the state attorney general to conduct an investigation into whether there was criminal misconduct on the part of the officers and the medics," she said.
"There was also a letter released by the federal government saying the FBI, the Department of Justice and the US Attorney's office were also looking into whether to investigate. I have never actually heard anything directly off them but theoretically they are also investigating although I never saw any evidence of that.
"There was another investigation announced yesterday that the state is looking into the use of ketamine.
"Again we're not holding our breath. I'm hopeful about the state attorney general's investigation but still not holding my breath."
A petition calling for justice for Elijah has currently garnered almost 5 million signatures. You can