CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, Colo. closing arguments are set to begin in the trial of former Deputy Andrew Buen, who faces charges including second-degree murder for the shooting death of 22-year-old Christian Glass nearly two years ago.
The prosecution alleges that Glass, who was experiencing a mental health crisis, called 911 for assistance after becoming stranded on a boulder in Silver Plume in June 2022. However, defense attorneys claim that Glass was either intoxicated or under the influence of drugs during the encounter with law enforcement officers.
After multiple attempts to remove Glass from his vehicle, Buen allegedly used non-lethal force before fatally shooting Glass five times in the chest. The jury will now determine whether Buen’s use of lethal force was justified in the situation.
In a separate development, Buen’s supervisor, former Deputy Kyle Gould, was indicted by a grand jury for his involvement in the incident. Gould, who was not present at the scene, was charged with failing to intervene when Glass was shot.
Following legal proceedings, Gould pleaded guilty to a charge related to the use of force by peace officers and was sentenced to probation and fined. He is also prohibited from working in law enforcement in Colorado in the future.
In a significant settlement agreement, the Glass family was awarded $19 million, marking the largest police misconduct settlement in Colorado history. The agreement included the implementation of a crisis response team and other non-economic measures aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.
The case has sparked discussions about police conduct and the handling of individuals experiencing mental health crises. The outcome of Buen’s trial will likely have implications for law enforcement practices and accountability in similar cases moving forward.