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HOUSTON (AP) - A white Houston-area man accused of sucker punching an elderly black man has been indicted on a federal hate crime charge.
A federal grand jury in Houston indicted 27-year-old Conrad Alvin Barrett on Thursday.
Investigators say Barrett slugged the 79-year-old victim, breaking his jaw in two places, in a Nov. 24 attack in Katy. They say he laughed and shouted "knockout" as the man fell to the ground.
Investigators say Barrett video recorded the attack on his cellphone and shared the recording.
Barrett was arrested Dec. 26 and remains in custody.
Defense attorney George Parnham says an arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 30 at which time Barrett will plead not guilty.
Parnham says Barrett has a bipolar disorder and was off his medication when the attack happened.
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