LAWYER MAKES NAME WITH TULIA WORK

Blackburn Recognized By Peers During Battles On Notorious Drug Case

Amarillo lawyer Jeff Blackburn, one of several attorneys waging court
battles in the Tulia drug case, has been named the Lawyer of the Year by
the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

"There wasn't any other nominee this year," said Fort Worth lawyer Mark G.
Daniel, president of the 2,400-member group. "He fought off battle after
battle. He's the epitome of what a criminal lawyer should be."

Mr. Blackburn, 46, who says he has done $70,000 in pro bono work on the
case, received the award during a ceremony in San Antonio during the weekend.

"It was great because here were all of these people who have taught me, who
I have admired, who have been my mentors and heroes for many years," Mr.
Blackburn said. "I don't believe I did anything different than what I was
trained to do. ... As it turned out, it just got more attention."

On Monday, Mr. Blackburn, other defense attorneys and special prosecutors
will gather in a Swisher County courtroom where 14 defendants will be freed
on bail. Although the cases are far from over, Mr. Blackburn has said that
the release of the defendants is, perhaps, the biggest symbolic victory yet
because it gives the defendants freedom while their cases are reviewed by
the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.

"Tulia opened up a can of worms in the workings of the criminal justice
system in Texas," Mr. Blackburn said. "Tulia was not an accident or a mistake."

The Tulia drug arrests have resulted in honors being bestowed on the
undercover officer who gathered evidence that resulted in the convictions
and an attorney, Mr. Blackburn, who has fought those convictions.

Before the convictions were successfully challenged, Tom Coleman, the son
of a Texas Ranger and the undercover officer who said he made numerous drug
buys in the small Panhandle community in 1998 and 1999, was awarded a Texas
Lawman of the Year award for his work in Tulia.

Mr. Coleman no longer is in law enforcement and has been indicted on
perjury charges for his testimony in a review hearing of several of the
drug cases.

Retired state District Judge Ron Chapman of Dallas ruled in April that Mr.
Coleman - whose sole testimony led to several convictions and guilty pleas
- - was not a credible witness and recommended to the Texas Court of Criminal
Appeals that all 39 convictions be overturned and new trials ordered.

Special prosecutor Rod Hobson of Lubbock has said that if the appeals court
overturns the cases, he will not pursue new trials.

The 14 defendants still in jail are expected to be released Monday on
personal recognizance based on legislation signed into law by Gov. Rick
Perry last week.