A Colorado paramedic is now facing a manslaughter charge after a handcuffed man died just days after being sedated and restrained during a chaotic police encounter.
Prosecutors say 36-year-old Jesus Lopez Barcenas died two days after the December 27 incident on the University of Colorado Boulder campus — and they’re blaming paramedic Edward McClure’s “reckless” actions for the tragedy.
Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty announced the charges Friday, stating, “The reckless acts of the paramedic led to the untimely and tragic death of Mr. Barcenas.”
The incident began around 8:15 a.m. when police responded to a report of a suspicious person. Officers encountered Barcenas, who was reportedly acting erratically and claimed a building nearby was on fire. When police tried to handcuff him, he allegedly resisted and attempted to grab an officer’s gun. A struggle followed, but officers eventually restrained him.
Body camera footage captured what happened next.
Paramedics from American Medical Response arrived on the scene, and McClure, without conducting a full evaluation, injected Barcenas with 5 milligrams of Droperidol, a powerful sedative, while joking, “I love holes in the pants.” Barcenas was then placed face down and restrained on a gurney.
“Now let’s strap the crap out of him,” McClure reportedly said.
Barcenas remained face down and handcuffed as he was loaded into an ambulance. At one point, McClure allegedly told responders, “Just keep him face down. I don’t care.” He also placed a spit mask over Barcenas’ head, even though prosecutors said Barcenas wasn’t spitting or being aggressive toward anyone at the time.
While en route to the hospital, Barcenas’ condition deteriorated. McClure began administering CPR as they arrived at the ER, but it was too late. Barcenas died two days later.
According to the autopsy, he died of sudden cardiac arrest triggered by the prolonged struggle, sedation, and prone restraint. Toxic levels of methamphetamine in his system were also listed as contributing factors. The coroner ruled the death a homicide.
McClure was fired just three days after the incident for violating AMR policies — including one that forbids transporting handcuffed patients face down. Despite the controversy, the police officers involved were cleared of any wrongdoing.
“This is about accountability,” said Dougherty. “Our prosecution team will fight hard to secure the right outcome, particularly for the loving family of Mr. Barcenas and for this community.”
McClure now faces criminal prosecution as the case moves forward.
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Author: thedailycrime1
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