Freedom for Tulia 13? Freedom likely for 13 convicted in Texas drug sting.
If justice delayed is justice denied, then welcome to Tulia, a small town in the middle of nowhere in west Texas- where 13 people are lucky there is any justice at all. After four years behind bars on drug convictions that even the judge in the case is questioning, the Tulia 13 may finally be released on bond today. It's about damn time.
TULIA, Texas (CNN) -- Thirteen people convicted by the testimony of an officer later indicted on perjury charges are expected to be freed on bond Monday while their cases are reviewed.
On July 23, 1999, a high-profile drug sweep in Tulia rounded up 46 alleged drug dealers. All but seven of those arrested that day were African-Americans -- 10 percent of the black population of this town of about 5,000 between Lubbock and Amarillo.
Seven of the cases were dropped, and the rest of the accused ended up in prison or on probation. Sixteen remain in custody.
Almost four years later, the cases are crumbling. Allegations of racial motivations, shady evidence and questionable police work have put the Tulia cases in the national spotlight.
Hmm...if these folks had been white, does anyone REALLY think that this would have dragged on for four years? I didn't think so....
UPDATE (9.15pm): 12 Tulia drug defendants released from jail- hey, it's a step in the right direction....
