Tulia, Texas
A Texas judge this week released 12 prisoners convicted four years ago on the testimony of a discredited former undercover officer. Tom Coleman, who is white, rounded up 46 alleged drug dealers in a small town called Tulia. The defendants included 39 African-Americans, 10 percent of Tulia’s black community. Civil-rights advocates said the arrests were racially motivated; Coleman insisted the defendants sold him cocaine in an undercover “sting.” He has since been charged with perjury, and Judge Ron Chapman said it would be a “travesty of justice” to let the convictions stand. The defendants must win appeals to stay free. “I just want to go home, look at TV, and stay out of trouble,” said Joe Moore, 59.
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