HOUSTON -- A former state prison sergeant accused of brutally beating an inmate has been convicted on a lesser charge.

Jurors found 39-year-old Eugene Morris Jr. of Huntsville guilty of making a false entry in a use-of-force report about the incident at the state's Ferguson Unit prison in Midway, about 100 miles north of Houston. But they decided he didn't kick and injure inmate
Robert Tanzini in November 2002.

Jurors also found Morris not guilty of obstruction of justice. He could get up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he's sentenced in August.

Meanwhile, a 36-year-old former colleague accused of helping in a cover-up was acquitted on all charges in Houston federal court Wednesday. Supervisor Tracy Jewett of Huffman had been charged with making a false entry and obstruction of justice.

The case had racial undercurrents as Tanzini was an alleged member of the Aryan Brotherhood who called Morris, who is black, by a racial slur and spit on him before their encounter. Tanzini also made a racial remark to a black female guard. Jewett is white.