Pubdate: Thu, 19 Jun 2003
Source: Amarillo Globe-News (TX)
Copyright: 2003 Amarillo Globe-News
Contact:  http://amarillonet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/13
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/tulia.htm (Tulia, Texas)

A SECOND CHANCE IS RARE OPPORTUNITY

Tulia Sting Victims Gain Freedom

They walked out of the Swisher County Courthouse into a throng of
media, family members and friends - free for the first time in four
years.

For 12 of the 46 people arrested in the July 1999 Tulia drug sting,
freedom finally arrived Monday.

More than freedom, the joyful reunion is the first step in a rare
opportunity to rebuild their lives.

These dozen people, who have experiences few can relate to, now have a
second chance that should not be taken for granted.

Many people worked tirelessly to obtain this freedom, from community
members who kept the controversy in the national spotlight to
attorneys who traversed through the complex legal system in what
appeared to be a futile gesture.

They deserve credit for fighting a battle many deemed
impossible.

The aftermath of the Tulia drug sting spawned issues of race, fairness
and justice, issues still to be resolved. In simpler terms, law
enforcement must address how it does its job, such as the use of
audiotape or videotape in future sting operations.

Evidence of this sort could have prevented a national soap opera, and
more importantly, ensured that justice was served.

It will take time for the innocent to regain what they lost and for
the justice system to heal from the black eye it has received.

Contrary to the remarks by Amarillo attorney Jeff Blackburn, who
represents many of those convicted and freed, we are not surprised
that the courthouse did not crumble from the weight of justice it had
never seen before.

As we said previously, a tape - either audio or video - would have
been all that was needed to remove all doubt of innocence or guilt.

A labeling of the entire justice system because of the Tulia fiasco
seems a broad assumption and similar to the lack of logic on behalf of
law enforcement who put their trust solely on the word of a tainted
undercover officer who now faces justice himself.

The wheels of justice have been grinding slowly in Tulia, and some
might argue they came to a complete stop.

What matters now is that those who have a second chance at freedom
realize the responsibility they face.

"Your family and loved ones are counting on you," said retired state
District Judge Ron Chapman, who ruled the convictions be overturned
following an evidentiary hearing.

What happened Monday was truly remarkable.

It is not often people get a second chance in life, much less the
freedom to enjoy it.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake