Texas Law Frees Tulia Residents June 5, 2003
News Summary
Texas Gov. Rick Perry signed into law a measure that will release 14 Tulia residents who may have been wrongly imprisoned on drug charges, the Dallas Morning News reported June 3.In a 1999 raid, 46 residents of Tulia, most of them black, were arrested on drug charges. Of the 38 who were convicted or pleaded guilty, 14 were given prison sentences, while the others received probation.
The convictions were based on testimony from Tom Coleman, a former Swisher County undercover agent. No narcotics were found on the defendants.
Coleman was later indicted on perjury charges related to his testimony in the case.
The new law calls for a Swisher County judge to release the defendants on bail while the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals determines whether they were wrongly convicted.
"This bill does not make a determination about the innocence or guilt of the Tulia defendants, but it does allow the remaining individuals behind bars to be released until the justice system has finally spoken," said Perry.
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