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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Texas police officer indicted in baseball player's shooting

Associated Press

HOUSTON — A grand jury in Texas has indicted a white Houston police officer in the New Year's Eve shooting of an aspiring baseball player who is black.

Houston police Sgt. Jeffrey Cotton was indicted Monday on one count of aggravated assault by a public servant. If convicted of the felony, the veteran of 10 years on the force faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison.

Robert Tolan was treated for an abdominal wound after he was shot outside his home.

Officers said they thought the 23-year-old man had been in a stolen SUV.

Tolan's attorney Geoffrey Berg said he believes his client was a victim of racial profiling.

Tolan is the son of former major league baseball player Bobby Tolan.