A recent court decision in Colorado has brought the spotlight on former Clear Creek County Deputy, Andrew Buen. He was convicted of criminally negligent homicide in the death of Christian Glass, a 22-year-old in mental distress who sought help through a 911 call.
The incident occurred in June 2022, when Christian Glass, experiencing what appeared to be a mental health crisis, contacted emergency services after his vehicle became stuck in the mountain town of Silver Plume. As law enforcement responded, Glass failed to exit his SUV, prompting a standoff. Video recordings from officer body cameras illustrated Glass showing signs of distress yet posing no obvious threat as he formed heart shapes with his hands towards the officers.
Prosecutors argued that Buen escalated the situation unnecessarily, leading to a tragic outcome when he fired five shots at Glass following an incident where Glass threw a knife out of his vehicle’s window. The jury, however, did not find sufficient evidence for a second-degree murder charge, opting instead for the lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide, which carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.
Buen’s conviction is a part of a broader national conversation about police conduct, particularly when involving individuals experiencing mental health crises. This case was closely watched, considering that such convictions against law enforcement officers remain rare. Over the past two decades, only nine officers nationwide have received murder convictions for actions taken while on duty. This rarity underscores the complexity and challenges inherent in prosecutorial efforts against police officers.
Defense attorney Carrie Slinkard pointed out the implications of the case for law enforcement across the state, emphasizing that ‘murder was never the appropriate charge.’ The case’s outcome may influence future training and procedural modifications within police departments, particularly regarding crisis interventions.
In response to the incident and subsequent public outcry, a significant settlement was reached with Glass’s family amounting to $19 million, marking the largest in Colorado’s history for a police-related fatality. Part of this agreement stipulates the implementation of crisis response training and certification for the sheriff’s office. Meanwhile, the state has committed to developing a virtual reality training program focused on de-escalation, which will serve as a training module for officers on managing stressful situations.
This case also aligns with an ongoing movement calling for police reform in handling incidents involving mental health emergencies. Such initiatives aim to prevent similar tragedies, as reflected in the words of Glass’s mother, Sally Glass, who expressed hope that the verdict might prevent other families from experiencing a similar loss.
Despite the jury’s decision, Fifth Judicial District Attorney Heidi McCollum noted the trial’s importance in holding Deputy Buen accountable. The trial provided a resolution, addressing community demands for accountability in the wake of Andrew Buen’s actions.
As Andrew Buen awaits sentencing, this case serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of appropriate crisis intervention methods in law enforcement. It highlights ongoing challenges and the need for continual improvements in how officers handle mental health crises to avoid future tragedies.
