CHARGE AGAINST N.J. TROOPER DROPPED

TRENTON, N.J.(AP) -- Prosecutors dropped an attempted murder charge
yesterday against one of two state troopers accused in a 1998 shooting that
led to a public outcry over racial profiling on the New Jersey Turnpike.

In court papers, prosecutors said they do not have sufficient evidence to
support the attempted murder indictment against Trooper John Hogan.

Hogan still faces charges of aggravated assault and official misconduct,
and Trooper John Kenna remains charged with attempted murder.

They were charged after an April 23, 1998, shooting that wounded three of
four minority motorists in a van the troopers had pulled over on the
turnpike near Trenton.

Public outcry after the shooting led to widespread allegations of racial
profiling by state troopers and a highly critical report by the New Jersey
attorney general's office detailing the practice.