Pubdate: Wed,  2 Apr 2003
Source: Amarillo Globe-News (TX)
Copyright: 2003 Amarillo Globe-News
Contact:  http://amarillonet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/13
Author: Greg Cunningham
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/tulia.htm

REVERSALS POSSIBLE IN STING

Following a week of highly damaging testimony - especially from undercover 
agent Tom Coleman, who was caught in several contradictions - the state 
reversed course and agreed to recommend that the convictions of all the 
defendants be tossed out.

Chapman's words came as sweet relief to a courtroom full of friends and 
family of the defendants, who sat in stunned silence as they were read but 
erupted in jubilation outside the courtroom.

"I'm so happy," said Mattie White, who has three children in prison on 
charges from the drug bust and a fourth who was charged but later cleared. 
"I wish he (Chapman) had cut them loose right now. That's the best step I 
ever heard. We've been praying for four years for this, and we haven't ever 
given up."

"Judge Chapman is widely regarded as one of the best criminal trial judges 
in the state," said defense attorney Mitchell Zamoff, who questioned 
Coleman on the stand. "We have a high degree of confidence the court of 
criminal appeals will agree with his findings."

District Attorney Terry McEachern, who prosecuted the cases, would not 
comment on what led up to the agreement.

"Nothing's settled, but I hope that justice is being done," McEachern said.

McEachern is no longer representing the state. Special prosecutor John 
Nation said all the attorneys representing the state submitted motions to 
withdraw from the cases to the judge. Chapman accepted the motions from 
McEachern and his staff, but kept Nation and Hobson on board.

Nation would not state the specific reason the resignations were submitted, 
but said they were required by rules of the court.

The decision to withdraw backing from the convictions would appear to be a 
blow to the state, but Nation said it actually showed the justice system 
functioning as it should.

"We have a duty to see that justice is done, and we acted in accordance 
with that duty today," Nation said. "The system is working."

The decision to vacate the convictions and Chapman's statement about 
Coleman also bring up the question about what will happen to the former 
undercover agent.

When asked about possible perjury charges against Coleman, Nation said only 
"No comment."

Freddie Brookins Sr. had plenty to say about the man whose testimony put 
his son in prison.

"Tom Coleman definitely needs to be in the places my son and these other 
people are in," Brookins Sr. said. "That was criminal what he did. When you 
take and mess up those many lives, you've got to pay a price."
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