Tulia, Texas
Law enforcement officials this week challenged the honesty of a crusading undercover officer who arrested 10 percent of a small town’s black population on drug charges. Former policeman Thomas Coleman conducted a one-man sting operation that led to the arrest of 40 black people, with 22 later sentenced to lengthy jail terms, including terms of 60, 99, and 434 years. The only evidence in the case was Coleman’s testimony that he sold them drugs. Four defendants have challenged their convictions, and in hearings law enforcement officials from Tulia and neighboring towns testified that Coleman’s police work was worthless. One described Coleman as a “paranoid gun nut,” and another called him a racist. Coleman conceded some of his testimony in the cases might be in error, but said he was “a regular, normal human being, Texan.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
5 conspiratorial cartoons about FEMACartoons Artists take on paper towel politics, king-sized conspiracies, and more
-
Take an island-hopping trip around BrittanyThe Week Recommends From neolithic monuments to colourful harbours, there is much to discover
-
Why has Joker: Folie à Deux divided critics?Talking Point The sequel to Joker is 'staggeringly inept' in its attempts to explore mental health issues – but Lady Gaga is 'magnetic'
