Jury Deadlocked on Murder Charge, Reaches Verdict on Lesser Count
A former Colorado sheriff’s deputy, Andrew Buen, has been found guilty of a misdemeanor in the 2022 shooting death of Christian Glass. The case gained national attention, sparking renewed calls for police reform and better crisis intervention training.
Shooting Stemmed from 911 Call for Help
Glass, a 22-year-old man in distress, called 911 after his car became stuck in a remote mountain community. The encounter with responding officers, including Buen, tragically turned deadly.
Misdemeanor Conviction Carries Lighter Sentence
Buen faced serious charges, including second-degree murder and official misconduct. However, the jury deadlocked on those charges, reaching a verdict only on reckless endangerment. This misdemeanor conviction carries a maximum sentence of four months in jail, significantly less than the potential years in prison for murder.
Defense Claims Officer Action Justified
Buen’s defense presented a contrasting view. They argued that the deputy fired his weapon to protect a fellow officer, Randy Williams. They maintain that Glass threw a knife out of the car window towards Williams, justifying the use of deadly force.
Second Officer Pleads Guilty, Others Face Charges
Another officer involved in the incident previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge. Additionally, six other officers face charges of failing to intervene in the situation.
District Attorney Weighs Further Action
While Buen has been convicted on a misdemeanor charge, the possibility of facing the original charges remains. District Attorney Heidi McCollum has stated her intention to decide within the next few weeks on whether to pursue charges of murder and official misconduct against Buen.
