In a significant case highlighting police accountability, former Colorado sheriff's deputy Andrew Buen was sentenced to three years for criminally negligent homicide in the shooting death of 22-year-old Christian Glass. Glass, who called 911 seeking help, was having a mental health crisis when the situation escalated. Buen's conviction followed a retrial after earlier jurors failed to reach a consensus on more serious charges. The incident resulted in a $19 million settlement and prompted changes in police training for handling mental health crises, reflecting the ongoing discussions about police conduct and community safety.
His parents and the agencies involved reached a $19 million settlement that also made changes to how officers are trained to respond to people in mental health crises.
'I think this was about power. It wasn't a mistake. It was about, 'you need to listen to me because I'm in charge,'' she said.
Prosecutors alleged that Buen needlessly escalated a standoff with Glass, who showed signs of a mental health crisis and refused orders to get out of his SUV.
Convictions of law enforcement officers on more serious charges are rare because experts say jurors tend to give them the benefit of the doubt for how they act in emergencies.
Collection
[
|
...
]