The embattled leaders of the movement pushing for justice for Elijah McClain Lillian House, Joel Northam, Eliza Lucero and Terrance Roberts find themselves on higher ground after two recent court victories.
The four were arrested in September and charged with a myriad of felonies and misdemeanors in connection with protests last summer, including allegedly inciting riots, committing theft, blocking highways and attempting to kidnap Aurora Police Department officers; some of the charges carried the potential of decades in prison. But on April 5, newly elected 18th Judicial District DA John Kellner dropped all felony and most misdemeanor charges against the protest leaders in connection with incidents in Arapahoe County. That decision followed the March 25 dismissal of the most severe charges attempted kidnapping of eighteen officers inside Aurora’s District 1 Precinct headquarters on March 25 by Adams County Judge Leroy Kirby.