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Coroner's jury reaches verdict in Ballantine fugitive death

Posted: Aug 8, 2012 7:17 AM by Q2 News
Updated: Aug 8, 2012 10:20 AM

BILLINGS - A coroner's jury concludes that there was no wrong doing by law enforcement during a standoff at a Ballantine motel that ended in a man's death.

It took just ten minutes for a Yellowstone County Coroner's Jury to determine that Colorado fugitive, Brenton Glaser took his own life during a March 9th standoff in Ballantine.

Deputy County Attorney Ryan Nordlund said five witnesses testified during the two hour hearing Including a medical examiner who said Glazer cut his own throat to the spine and died from blood loss.

Law enforcement surrounded the Tiger Town Motel in Ballantine March 9 as the U.S. Marshal's Violent Offender Task Force attempted to serve a warrant on Glaser.

The 29-year-old barricaded himself in his hotel bathroom and committed suicide as law enforcement entered the room.

Officers performed first aid, but Glaser died at the scene.

Glaser was wanted by authorities for contempt of court.

The warrant was issued in Weld, Colorado, where Glaser was listed as one of Weld County's most wanted fugitives.