6 more American cops of Colorado charged in the Murder of a New Zealander in US soil

Christian Glass was shot five times by a Colorado sheriff's deputy Andrew Buen in his car despite of being unarmed 

By Edward Era Barbacena 

Six more American police officers have been charged in relation to the murdee of New Zealander Christian Glass.

The charges come after former Colorado police officer Kyle Gould pleaded guilty on Friday to charges of criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment in Clear Creek County Court.

Glass, 22, was shot dead inside his car after calling 911 for help late at night in the mountain community of Silver Plume in Clear Creek County, north of Denver.

Sheriff's deputy Andrew Buen has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, official misconduct and reckless endangerment.

An indictment, obtained by Stuff, describes how Buen​ smashed the front passenger window of Christian's 2007 Honda Pilot with his baton and fired six "bean bag" rounds at him, before tasering him and finally shooting him with his service pistol five times.

The officers charged with failure to intervene are Georgetown Marshall Randy Williams; former Clear Creek County Deputy, and current Georgetown Officer, Timothy Collins; Colorado State Patrol Trooper Ryan Bennie; Idaho Springs Police Officer Brittany Morrow; Colorado Gaming Commission Officer Christa Lloyd; and Colorado Gaming Commission Officer Mary Harris.

Speaking to media on Saturday morning (NZT), Glass' mother, Sally, said the six officers didn't pull the trigger, "but they had an absolute duty and responsibility to stop that rogue cop".

"…every one of them should have said 'stop', and they all had a duty to do that. That's part of wearing the uniform," Sally said.

Christian's family was grateful the district attorney had taken the time and attention to put forward charges "that were appropriate and importantly that would stick", she said.

Christian's father, Simon, said that when the family learnt of Christian's death, they were told he had committed suicide by a cop.

"That was our reality and our truth for many weeks. We found it very hard to believe... but that's what we were told," he said. "Police, we thought, would be truthful."

Simon said the family went through the funeral with "everyone there believing that Christian was at fault".

But over the next six weeks, they slowly came to realise that wasn't true.

"The bodycam footage came out... and it became clear that, in fact, Christian was attacked viciously and murdered.

"At the time, to believe that your son would go for a drive in the country, which he's done a hundred times, and be attacked and killed by police, it was impossible to believe.

"That is the pain that we started with and the process of the last 17 months of trying to, first of all, figure out the truth and, secondly, clear his name, and thirdly get justice for Christian."

In a statement released after the latest charges were made, Glass' parents said the additional charges were especially significant because they recognise that Buen and Gould did not act alone.

"Each of the six officers charged today had ample opportunity to stop the unjustified and senseless use of force against Christian Glass. They took part in and enabled a plan to use criminal and unlawful force against Christian," they said.

"Had any one of these six officers stepped up to do the right thing, Christian would be alive today."

Christian's parents said the District Attorney's criminal prosecution sends a clear message that "all law enforcement officers have a duty to stop unlawful, criminal acts committed by other officers in their presence. When they fail to do so, they will be brought to justice".

Christian's parents described him as a gentle soul, a treasured brother and son who loved art and geology.

Earlier this year, the Glass family's advocacy for justice resulted in a record A$29 million civil rights settlement with the involved law enforcement agencies, including commitments to significantly improve officer training and establish a Crisis Response Team