A grand jury indictment released at a bedside hospital arraignment Wednesday decreased the charges against a man shot by Freeport police.

Franz Byer, initially charged with attempted assault, was instead indicted on possession of a weapon and menacing police. His bail was reduced from $500,000 to $25,000. Byer has been receiving treatment for his injuries at Nassau University Medical Center, where the arraignment took place.

In July, Byer was shot six times - five times in the back - by Freeport police officers. Police claim Byer aimed a gun at them, provoking the discharge of their weapons.

Defense attorney Greg Calliste has repeatedly insisted the object his client waved was a whiskey bottle. Calliste told News 12 Long Island Wednesday that police are now claiming DNA evidence links Byer to the gun, an allegation he is taking with "a grain of salt."

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