Idaho Springs, Colorado – In a case that has sparked national attention and calls for police reform, a former Colorado sheriff’s deputy has been convicted of a misdemeanor in the shooting death of a 22-year-old man in distress. The incident occurred after the young man, Christian Glass, called 911 for help when his car got stuck in the small mountain community of Silver Plume.
Andrew Buen, the former deputy, faced a trial where he was also charged with second-degree murder and official misconduct in Glass’ 2022 death. However, the jury could not reach a verdict on these charges. Instead, Buen was found guilty of reckless endangerment, a charge that typically carries a maximum sentence of four months in jail.
Prosecutors argued that Buen needlessly escalated the situation with Glass, who was exhibiting signs of a mental health crisis. On the other hand, the defense claimed that Buen shot Glass to protect a fellow officer, arguing that the shooting was legally justified.
Despite the current verdict, District Attorney Heidi McCollum still has the option to pursue charges of murder and official misconduct against Buen. McCollum is expected to make a decision on this matter in the coming weeks.
The outcome of this trial has left Glass’ family seeking continued prosecution. The family’s attorney, Siddharta Rathod, emphasized the importance of seeking justice for Christian and expressed hope for a new jury trial for Deputy Buen.
Glass, who was experiencing a mental health crisis, had called for help after his SUV became stuck on a dirt road in Silver Plume. The encounter between Glass and law enforcement escalated, culminating in Buen firing five shots at Glass after he allegedly flung a knife towards another officer.
During closing arguments, prosecutors highlighted Buen’s actions leading up to the shooting, questioning his decision-making and the use of force in the situation. Defense attorney Carrie Slinkard, however, raised concerns about the lack of investigation into Glass’ mental health issues and the potential role of drugs in his behavior.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges surrounding crisis intervention and the need for police reform in handling mental health crises. The outcome of Buen’s trial will have implications for the ongoing conversations around law enforcement practices and accountability in cases involving individuals in distress.