The Lakewood man accused of shooting at an occupied car May 23 in Applewood has waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
Paul Behme, 32, is scheduled to enter a plea in the case at 8 a.m. Oct. 30 at the Jefferson County Courthouse.
During his Sept. 7 court hearing, Behme appeared virtually from the Jeffco jail and confirmed he wanted to waive his right to a preliminary hearing. He told the judge he wanted to continue negotiating with the DA's Office, however the DA's Office stated Sept. 8 it hadn't extended a formal plea offer to Behme yet.
Behme was arrested June 13 on two counts of attempted first-degree murder. His bond was set at $1 million cash only, although his attorney said Sept. 7 the defense wants to address bond at the Oct. 30 arraignment.
According to the arrest affidavit, around 9:30 p.m. May 23, a car with two occupants was driving westbound along West 32nd Avenue in the Applewood area, which is unincorporated Jefferson County between Golden and Lakewood. Near the Eldridge Street intersection, the car was struck seven times by gunfire, with one bullet piercing the windshield and nearly missing the occupants.
The driver — a Golden resident — only sustained minor injuries from the shattered glass, and the passenger was uninjured, according to the affidavit. Investigators identified a suspect vehicle in the case, which was later determined to be Behme’s.
Prosecutors have noted how Behme also has an extensive criminal history, as he’s failed to appear in Broomfield, Adams and Denver counties on separate drug-related cases.
He’s also been charged in a separate attempted murder case in Parker. On June 11, Behme reportedly shot into an occupied car in a hotel parking lot. He's been charged with attempted first-degree murder and felony menacing.
In the affidavit, Behme reportedly told investigators he’d been in conflict with gang members, whom he believed to be following him May 23 in Applewood.
“He was acting in self-defense, but not against (the victims),” Behme’s defense attorney said during a June 16 hearing. “ … It wasn’t intended to even involve the individuals in this case.”
