Colorado judge rules accused banjo beater can keep on pickin’ while awaiting trial
By APTuesday, January 5, 2010
Accused banjo beater can keep pickin’ for now
ASPEN, Colo. — A banjo player accused of assaulting another man with his instrument will get to keep pickin’ while awaiting his trial. Joseph Stancato, 33, of Denver faces second-degree assault charges after allegedly hitting another man upside the head with his banjo on New Year’s Eve. Authorities said Stancato got into an argument with two men at a bus stop.
District Judge James Boyd on Monday approved Stancato’s request to be allowed on the road to tour with a band while awaiting his next court date Feb. 6.
The banjo is considered “a deadly weapon” under Colorado law, so Stancato could face prison time, the Aspen Daily News reported.
Information from: Aspen Daily News, www.aspendailynews.com
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