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2 will face trial after Kan. man in crash dies from gunshot wound

Laeli- photo Shawnee County
Laeli- photo Shawnee County

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A judge has found sufficient evidence for two men to stand trial in the shooting death of a Topeka motorist.

The Topeka Capital-Journalreports that 35-year-old Use David Laeli Jr., of Topeka, and 20-year-old Joseph G. Cooney, 20, of Rock Port, Texas, will be tried on charges of felony first-degree murder.

A judge also bound Laeli over for trial Tuesday on an interference with law enforcement charge. He is accused of ordering the disposal of the pistol used to shoot 28-year-old Xavier Patrick McCollough.

Cooney-photo Topeka police
Cooney-photo Topeka police

Prosecutors say the shooting happened after McCollough was lured in July to a parking lot, where Laeli, Cooney and a third suspect waited.

Prosecutors say McCollough then drove out of the lot before crashing into an apartment building. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

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