Jurors deciding fate of Houston-area cop who shot, injured aspiring major league ballplayer

Jury deciding fate of cop who shot baseball player

HOUSTON — Jurors are deliberating the fate of a Houston-area police officer accused of shooting an aspiring major league baseball player in 2008.

Defense attorneys for Bellaire police Sgt. Jeffrey Cotton said during closing arguments Tuesday that Cotton believed his life was in danger before he shot 24-year-old Robert Tolan, the son of former major leaguer Bobby Tolan.

Cotton mistakenly thought Robert Tolan was armed and driving a stolen car.

Prosecutors say Tolan was innocent and “a tragedy of errors” by Cotton and other officers resulted in Tolan being shot in the chest. Tolan survived, but the injury ended his baseball career.

The 40-year-old Cotton could face up to life in prison if convicted of aggravated assault by a public servant.