Elijah McClain did not deserve to die. He was a young man with a bright future and the outrage over his death is understandable and justified. Elijah’s life mattered. Black Lives Matter. I believe this to my core.
As the next DA in Colorado’s 17th Judicial District, I will review any and all cases that come before me where someone has died during a police encounter. Such cases must be investigated thoroughly, independently and with integrity. We must be transparent about how we conduct these investigations and, when appropriate, utilize the independent body of the grand jury to review them. This will be a top priority of mine if elected District Attorney.
The national conversation following the murder of George Floyd is critically important in addressing how our criminal justice system treats people of color. We must do better. I’m committed to engaging in this conversation, to listening, to learning and to finding ways to address injustices in the criminal justice system.