The man accused of shooting Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Marc Cohn in the head during an attempted carjacking is headed to trial on charges including attempted first-degree murder after waiving a preliminary court hearing day.
Joseph Yacteen, 26, is accused of trying to carjack three vehicles in early August after fleeing from police. Cohn, who had a hit with the song “Walking in Memphis” and won the Grammy for best new artist in 1991, was shot in the temple late Aug. 7 when a man fired into his band’s van in a parking garage. Cohn was treated and released from a hospital the next day.
His driver and tour manager, Thomas Dube, was grazed by the bullet and also was treated and released.
Yacteen, who also was charged with second-degree assault, aggravated robbery, two counts of attempted aggravated robbery, 12 counts of menacing and two counts of first-degree criminal trespass, said nothing during his brief appearance in Denver County Court.
During a preliminary hearing, prosecutors try to present enough evidence that somebody committed a crime to prompt a judge to order a trial.
Yacteen’s next court hearing was scheduled for Nov. 29.
His girlfriend, Patricia Vail, was charged with accessory to a crime for allegedly helping Yacteen. She has been released on $50,000 bond; Yacteen remains in custody.
Denver district attorney’s spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough has said Yacteen would face up to 90 years in prison if convicted of all counts.
