Pubdate: Thu, 06 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 Author: Matt Stiles / The Dallas Morning News Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/tulia.htm (Tulia, Texas) PERRY SIGNS BILL TO ALLOW RELEASE OF TULIA DEFENDANTS 14 still in prison despite discredited testimony of former drug officer AUSTIN - The 14 people still imprisoned on the testimony of a discredited narcotics officer in the Tulia drug case could be free later this month under legislation signed into law Monday by Gov. Rick Perry. The measure allows a Swisher County judge to release the defendants on bail while the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals decides whether they were wrongly convicted. Their bail hearings could be held in Tulia as soon as 10 days from now, officials said. "This bill does not make a determination about the innocence or guilt of the Tulia defendants, but it does allow the remaining individuals behind bars to be released until the justice system has finally spoken," Mr. Perry said during a crowded afternoon ceremony in the state Capitol. The 14 currently in prison include one man who received a probation sentence, which was later revoked. Narcotics were not found on the defendants, and their convictions were based mostly on the uncorroborated word of former Swisher County undercover agent Tom Coleman, who was indicted on perjury charges in April for testimony during a court review of the cases. After seeing the opinion of retired visiting Judge Ron Chapman, who determined that Mr. Coleman's testimony during the trials was tainted, Mr. Perry asked the Board of Pardons and Paroles last month to determine whether clemency for some of the convicted is appropriate. The board is reviewing the case. "This matter has dragged on for four years, tarnishing the reputation of law enforcement and raising the concern that more than a dozen Texans may be unfairly confined behind bars," said Mr. Perry, flanked by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and more than a dozen lawmakers. "We can't give them back their time and liberty," said Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, who co-sponsored the measure with Rep. Terry Keel, R-Austin. "We were able to right a wrong in very quick timing." The 14 could have waited in jail for years before the appellate court makes a decision. Prosecutors have asked that the cases be sent back to the local court so they can be dismissed. It's possible that at least one of the 14 people could face jail time on unrelated charges, officials said. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager