BELLAIRE, Texas – Bellaire residents reacted Tuesday to the not guilty verdict in the trial of a police officer who was accused of shooting an unarmed man, KPRC Local 2 reported.
The case was the talk of the playground at one park.
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"I was a little surprised," said one resident.
Several residents had much to say after the jury came down with its verdict that police Sgt. Jeffrey Cotton was not guilty of aggravated assault in the shooting of Robbie Tolan.
The buzz generated mixed reactions.
"I believe the jury made good decisions with that they have. They're citizens, just like us," said Kim Vo.
Some residents were just glad the trial was over because they say it created a negative spotlight for their city amid allegations of racial profiling.
"Most have preconceived notions of what Bellaire is like. Pitting races against each other brings a negative light to Bellaire," said Vo.
Others said the jury did the right thing, especially if Cotton, a 10-year veteran of the force, feared for his life.
"Mistakes do happen. You have to look at the intent of the officer and I don't think the officer's intent was to harm someone," said Adam Kramer.
But not everyone agrees.
"As a black man, I am angry as hell," said community activist Quanell X.
Quanell X argued that Tolan, 23, was unarmed when he was shot in front of his own home back in 2008, so there is no way this outcome is just.
"When you see a brother who was not committing a crime, who broke no laws and in his own vehicle in front of his own home and shot down like a dog, and a jury will allow that cop to escape. I am angry," he said.
Cotton's department stood up for him.
"The city of Bellaire appreciates the hard work of the jury of the 232nd Criminal District Court which carefully considered all of the evidence in testimony and found that Sgt. Cotton did not break any laws, and that he acted reasonably and professionally on the circumstances he was forced to confront in the early morning hours of Dec. 31, 2008," said William Helfand, attorney for city of Bellaire.