Retrial of Former Deputy Who Fatally Shot Christian Glass Begins!

Georgetown, Colo. — The retrial of former Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Buen began on February 7, 2025, in a Clear Creek County courtroom.

Buen faces charges of second-degree murder and official misconduct in connection with the June 2022 shooting of 22-year-old Christian Glass.

Background of the Incident

On June 10, 2022, Christian Glass called 911 after his vehicle became stuck on a dirt road near Silver Plume, Colorado.

During the call, Glass, who appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis, informed dispatchers that he had a knife in the car but expressed no intention to harm himself or others.

Multiple officers responded to the scene, including Deputy Buen. Throughout an hour-long interaction, attempts to persuade Glass to exit the vehicle were unsuccessful.

The situation escalated when officers broke a window of the car, deployed bean bag rounds, and used a Taser on Glass. Ultimately, Deputy Buen fired five shots, resulting in Glass’s death.

Initial Trial and Conviction

In April 2024, Deputy Buen stood trial on charges of second-degree murder, official misconduct, and reckless endangerment.

The jury convicted him of reckless endangerment, a Class 2 misdemeanor, but was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the more serious charges of second-degree murder and official misconduct, leading to a mistrial on those counts.

Developments Leading to the Retrial

Following the partial verdict, prosecutors announced their intention to retry Buen on the unresolved charges. The retrial was initially scheduled for August 2024 but faced delays and was rescheduled to February 2025.

In the interim, additional officers present at the scene faced legal repercussions. Former Deputy Kyle Gould, who was not on-site but authorized the breaking of Glass’s car window over the phone, pleaded guilty to failing to intervene and received a sentence of two years probation.

Six other officers were charged with failing to intervene, though charges against two were later dismissed after a judge ruled that gaming officers are not subject to the law requiring peace officers to intervene.

Opening Statements in the Retrial

During opening statements of the retrial, Assistant District Attorney Joe Kirwan portrayed Glass as a young man in distress, emphasizing his fear and confusion during the incident.

The prosecution argued that Deputy Buen’s actions were excessive and escalated the situation unnecessarily.

The defense maintained that Buen acted by his training, perceiving a threat when Glass allegedly brandished a knife.

Family’s Response and Settlement

Christian Glass’s parents, Sally and Simon Glass have been vocal advocates for justice in their son’s case.

They reached a $19 million settlement with Clear Creek County, the state of Colorado, and other involved entities.

As part of the settlement, the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Department agreed to implement crisis intervention training for all deputies and establish a crisis response team to handle similar situations in the future.

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Legal and Policy Implications

The case has prompted discussions about law enforcement’s response to individuals experiencing mental health crises. Colorado’s “duty to intervene” law, enacted in 2020, requires officers to prevent or stop excessive force by colleagues.

This law has been central to the charges against the officers involved in Glass’s death. The outcomes of these trials may influence future law enforcement policies and training programs aimed at de-escalation and crisis intervention.

Next Steps

The retrial is expected to continue over the coming weeks, with testimonies from law enforcement personnel, expert witnesses, and possibly mental health professionals.

The court aims to determine whether Deputy Buen’s actions constituted criminal misconduct or were justified under the circumstances.

A conviction on the second-degree murder charge could result in a significant prison sentence, while an acquittal may lead to further debates on law enforcement accountability and training.

Conclusion

The retrial of Andrew Buen serves as a critical examination of police conduct, use of force, and the handling of mental health crises.

The case underscores the importance of comprehensive training and clear protocols to ensure the safety and rights of individuals in distress, as well as the accountability of law enforcement officers.

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