Pubdate: Tue, 17 Jun 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 (Tulia, Texas)

TULIA DEFENDANTS RELEASED

Emotions Overwhelming As Families Are Reunited

TULIA - The Swisher County courtroom was the scene of joyful chaos Monday 
as family and friends of a dozen newly freed people fought a crush of media 
for access to their loved ones, finally free after three years of prison.

The freedom, though long planned and even longer dreamed of, was 
overwhelming for many of the dozen defendants from the discredited 1999 
Tulia drug sting, leaving them struggling to deal with the rush of emotions.

"It's just too much," said Freddie Brookins Jr., as families members swept 
in for hugs of nearly dangerous intensity. "There's happiness, but there's 
so much more."

Brookins' father, Freddie Brookins Sr., also had difficulty putting 
feelings into words Monday.

"My mind is so crowded right now, I can't even think," the elder Brookins 
said as he put his arm around his son's shoulders. "I just can't stop 
smiling. That's all I can do is stand here and smile."

The reunions for Brookins and the other families were made possible by a 
dramatic chain of events set in motion in March when visiting judge Ron 
Chapman called a halt to evidentiary hearings in Tulia. Chapman found that 
undercover agent Tom Coleman was giving unreliable testimony about his 
actions during the controversial drug sting, which netted 46 people, 39 of 
them black.

Chapman, along with prosecutors and defense attorneys, recommended to the 
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals that all the cases based on Coleman's 
testimony be overturned. That process could take months or even years, so 
the Texas Legislature stepped in this session to pass a bill allowing the 
court to set bond for the remaining defendants.

Chapman carried through Monday, setting personal recognizance bonds after 
cautioning the defendants to live exemplary lives until their cases are 
disposed of.

12 Are Released

The hearing was attended by a horde of media, attorneys and most of the 
original 46 people arrested in the sting.

Tonya Michelle White, who was cleared of charges in the sting after she 
presented an alibi, made the drive from Louisiana to see her two newly 
freed siblings and to support the other defendants.

White said she was delighted that the defendants were going free but said 
the victory still leaves the war nowhere near complete.

12 Are Released

Twelve people were released on bond Monday.

a.. Dennis Michael Allen, 36, sentenced to 18 years

a.. James Ray Barrow, 33, sentenced to 10 years

a.. Freddie Brookins Jr., 26, sentenced to 20 years

a.. Willie Hall, 40, sentenced to 18 years

a.. Christopher Eugene Jackson, 31, sentenced to 20 years

a.. Calvin Kent Klein, 23, sentenced to 10 years

a.. Joe Welton Moore, 60, sentenced to 90 years

a.. Benny Lee Robinson, 26, sentenced to 10 years

a.. Timothy Wayne Towery, 29, sentenced to 18 years

a.. Kareem White, 27, sentenced to 60 years

a.. Kizzie White, 26, sentenced to 25 years

a.. Jason Jerome Williams, 24, sentenced to 45 years
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