Pubdate: Sun, 27 May 2001
Source: Amarillo Globe-News (TX)
Copyright: 2001 Amarillo Globe-News
Contact:  http://amarillonet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/13
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/tulia.htm (Tulia, Texas)

CHANGES MARK DRUG-BUST BILL

AUSTIN - A bill filed in response to a controversial 1999 Tulia drug 
bust to require supporting evidence to the testimony of an undercover 
officer is on its way to the governor in a dramatically different 
form. However, supporters said they are generally glad that something 
was done.

The measure by state Rep. Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen, prohibits a 
defendant from being convicted on drug charges by the uncorroborated 
testimony of an informant - undercover agents won't require back-up.

Hinojosa said that most of the time, only experienced officers serve 
in an undercover capacity and he is confident a bill the governor has 
signed to open criminal reports of police officers filed with the 
state will take care of much of the problem in Tulia.

Three "Tulia Proposals" were filed in response to the questionable 
drug arrests of 43 mostly black residents by a lone undercover agent.

Tom Coleman, the undercover agent in question, had no supporting 
evidence of his testimony, which conflicted in some cases. Defense 
investigation also turned up a letter from his former employers at 
the sheriff's office in Cochran County that said Coleman shouldn't 
work in law enforcement again. He was accused of theft and other 
criminal conduct.

Hinojosa said he hopes the passage of this bill will restore some of 
the faith in the criminal justice system that was lost in the Tulia 
arrests.

"Tulia sounded the alarms. In order to protect our civil rights from 
abuse, we need more than uncorroborated testimony before we lock 
someone up," Hinojosa said.

Will Harrell, executive director of the Texas chapter of the American 
Civil Liberties Union, which wrote the bill with the Texas chapter of 
the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said 
the measure is the first of its kind in the country - and a huge step 
forward.

Alan Bean, co-chairman of the Friends of Justice in Tulia, said he 
was disappointed peace officers were left out of the bill. However, 
he is glad something has been done by the Texas Legislature.

"With only a few days left in the session they had to decide whether 
they wanted nothing or what they could get. I think it was a good 
decision," he said.

"I think it's a real victory."
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MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe