Accused Banjo Beater Allowed To Tour

Police: Denver Man Involved In Bus Stop Argument

POSTED: 8:19 am MST January 5, 2010

ASPEN, Colo. -- A banjo player accused of assaulting another man with his instrument will get to keep playing while awaiting his trial.

Thirty-three-year-old Joseph Stancato, of Denver, faces second-degree assault charges after allegedly hitting another man on the head with his banjo on New Year's Eve. Authorities said Stancato got into an argument with two men at the Rubey Park bus stop in Aspen.

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 on Feb. 6.

The banjo is considered "a deadly weapon" under Colorado law, so Stancato could face prison time, the Aspen Daily News reported.