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Newsbrief:
Tulia
Pardon
Decision
in
Governor's
Hands
8/8/03
Most of the people convicted
in the now discredited Tulia, Texas, drug bust of 1999 should be pardoned,
the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles decided on July 30. The Tulia
arrests, based solely on the uncorroborated word of one undercover lawman,
literally decimated the African-American population of the Texas Pandhandle
town, with some 38 people convicted and sent to prison -- all but three
of them black. The last 12 still in prison were released in June
(http://www.stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle-old/292/12fromtulia.shtml)
pending a final review of their case by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
A specially appointed judge had earlier ruled that Tulia lawman Tom Coleman
was "not a credible witness." Coleman faces perjury charges in September
for his performance in the Tulia bust.
The parole board's decision
clears the way for Gov. Rick Perry (R) to grant pardons to 35 of the 38.
Parole board chairman Gerald Garrett told Reuters the board had been looking
into the question of pardons at Perry's request. The board found
good reason to recommend pardons, Garrett said. "There were questions
about the arrest tactics and the resulting plea bargains and convictions,"
Garrett said. A master of understatement.
-- END --
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Issue #299, 8/8/03
Note to Readers: Issue #300 and Name Change Coming Up, New Format |
Bolivia's Morales Seeks Honest Enforcement Against Traffickers, Not Repression |
Marinol Death Sentence: Oregon Man Denied Liver Transplant Because of Prescription -- He's Not the Only One |
The Drug War's Daily Grind: One Month in One Police District in Washington, DC |
August is Drug Reform Lobbying Month at Home! |
Perry Fund Accepting Applications for 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 School Years, Providing Scholarships for Students Losing Aid Because of Drug Convictions |
Newsbrief: Justice Department Orders Government Lawyers to Appeal "Soft" Sentences, Report on Judges Who Issue Them |
Newsbrief: Tulia Pardon Decision in Governor's Hands |
Newsbrief: COMBAT Anti-Drug Tax Passes in Kansas City |
Newsbrief: This Week's Corrupt Cops Story |
Newsbrief: Tampa Police Enjoying Seized Cars |
Newsbrief: Doctrinaire Drug Warrior Confirmed as DEA Head |
Newsbrief: Kentucky Teacher Fired for Promoting Hemp Wins Settlement |
Newsbrief: Argentina Leads Latin America in Jailed Drug Offenders |
Newsbrief: Marijuana Reform Stalled in New Zealand |
The Reformer's Calendar
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