Brian Cohee II, born in 2001, resided in Grand Junction, Colorado, with his mother, Terri Cohee. It happened that Terri ran a daycare for young children within their home. Meanwhile, Brian had been diagnosed as having autism, ADHD and anxiety, conditions for which he had taken medication since he was five years old. Despite these difficulties, he graduated high school and was known to be fascinated by morbid subjects, having expressed interest in becoming a crime scene investigator after watching “The Silence of the Lambs.”
The Crime
In February 2021, at the age of 19, Brian committed a horrific crime that shocked the Grand Junction community. He killed homeless Warren Barnes, a 69 years old man, who was nicknamed “the reading man” because he would often be seen reading in downtown Grand Junction. While sleeping near Crosby Avenue, Brian stabbed Barnes several times before decapitating and dismembering his body. He then brought Barnes’s head and hands back to his home, hiding them in his bedroom closet.
Discovery and Arrest
The gruesome discovery was made by Brian’s mother, Terri, who found a plastic bag containing a human head in her son’s closet. She called authorities immediately, expressing her horror and disbelief. Police uncovered more body parts in Brian’s vehicle and evidence that he attempted to dump the remains in his car into the Colorado River. Brian was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Legal Proceedings
During the trial, which began in January 2023, Brian pleaded not guilty by insanity. His defense attorneys argued his mental health disorders and environmental stressors left him unable to differentiate right from wrong during the crime. They presented evidence of his long-standing mental health issues and his fascination with morbid subjects.
The prosecution, however, contended that Brian had meticulously planned the murder, specifically targeting a homeless person whom he believed would not be missed. They described his preparation of a “kill kit” of zip ties, a hammer, and duct tape, and subsequent attempts to conceal the crime, demonstrating his awareness of the wrongful nature of his actions.
Verdict and Sentencing
A juror convicted Brian Cohee Jr. of first-degree murder on February 3, 2023, after roughly two days of deliberation. He was then handed a life sentence without parole. The courtroom was filled with emotional responses from attendees, reflecting the profound impact of the crime on the community. “Warren Barnes was killed violently,” Assistant District Attorney Trish Mahre said. His friends, family and community mourned his loss.
Community Impact
Warren Barnes was a regular in Grand Junction public reading places. His death caused grief in the community, many saying they lost a harmless man who was part of their everyday lives. It also highlighted mental health, homelessness, and community support systems.
Conclusion
Brian Cohee Jr.’s case is a tragic example of how mental health issues intersect with violent crime. It underscores the need for holistic mental health support and community awareness in preventing such tragedies. The sentence handed down to Brian is harsh, but the community still remembers Warren Barnes as a kind man whose life was taken away.