Pubdate: Mon, 31 Mar 2003
Source: Dallas Morning News (TX)
Copyright: 2003 The Dallas Morning News
Contact:  http://www.dallasnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/117
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/tulia.htm (Tulia, Texas)

DISMAL TEXAS JUSTICE

Re: "Justice Reviewed - State has chance to redress wrongs in Tulia," last 
Monday's Editorials. I fail to see the "brilliance," as your editorial put 
it, of a justice system that has taken almost four years to examine the 
facts and circumstances surrounding the notorious drug sting that occurred 
in Tulia in July 1999. This is nothing Texans should be proud of.

Previous law enforcement employers described Tom Coleman - whose 
uncorroborated testimony led to multiple convictions and harsh sentences as 
long as 90 years - as unprofessional, a discipline problem and a person in 
need of constant supervision. In spite of these troubling reports about Mr. 
Coleman's character and the fact that he had no previous undercover 
experience, Mr. Coleman was hired by the Panhandle Regional Narcotics 
Trafficking Task Force to perform sensitive undercover work. Most 
astonishing of all, the task force allowed Mr. Coleman to work without a 
partner, without wiretaps, without properly documenting his actions or 
apparently accounting for drugs he had in his possession.

In testimony at evidentiary hearings in Tulia, called to examine whether 
four men were denied due process, Lt. Michael Amos, a supervisor in the 
task force, described Mr. Coleman as "an exceptional talent at being an 
undercover officer." Lt. Amos made these comments fully aware of Mr. 
Coleman's tactics in the Tulia sting. That's scary news for taxpayers who 
think narcotics task forces know what they are doing.

The "brilliance" here has not come from the justice system, but in the 
unrelenting pressure from grass-roots and other civil rights organizations 
as well as columns by nationally syndicated columnist Bob Herbert of The 
New York Times. To credit the Texas justice system with being responsive is 
almost laughable. Justice delayed is surely justice denied.

Sherri Tullia, Plano
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager