Charges reduced in crossbow attack on TV weatherman

By The Associated Press

JOHNSON CITY (AP) — A man accused of shooting a Johnson City TV weatherman in the chest with a crossbow has had the charges against him reduced from attempted murder to aggravated assault.

A grand jury on Tuesday indicted 53-year-old Gerald Taylor on charges of aggravated assault, aggravated burglary and unlawful possession of a weapon for the June 4 attack on Rob Batot, who is known professionally on WJHL-TV as Rob Williams.

Assistant District Attorney General Dennis Brooks told The Johnson City Press that he determined the state could not prove intent, which is required for the original charge of attempted first-degree murder.

But he said the grand jury returned an additional firearms charge against Taylor.