12 JAILED IN DRUG BUST SET FREE, AGENT INDICTED

Associated Press

TULIA, Texas -- After as much as four years behind bars, 12 people sent to
prison in a drug bust that brought cries of racism in this Texas Panhandle
town were freed yesterday by a judge who said they were railroaded by a
white undercover agent. "I got something to smile about today," Freddie
Brookins said after the release of his son, Freddie Jr .

The 11 black defendants and one white defendant were released on bail while
they pursue their appeals. But a special prosecutor has said he will
dismiss all charges if the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals grants them new
trials.

The racially charged case tore apart this town of 5,000 people and led to
investigations by the U.S. Justice Department and the Texas Attorney
General's office.

A bill passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Rick Perry two weeks
ago cleared the way for the defendants' release while their cases were
still on appeal.

"There are a great number of people who have a great deal of time, effort
and faith in each of you invested," state Judge Ron Chapman, who was
brought out of retirement to preside over a review of the case. The
undercover agent, Tom Coleman, who worked for a regional drug task force,
has been indicted on perjury charges.

All 12 were released from the Swisher County Jail on personal recognizance
bonds. The judge has recommended the appeals court overturn all convictions.

Forty-six people, 39 of them black, were arrested and accused of possessing
cocaine following an 18-month undercover operation. Coleman claimed he
bought drugs from the defendants, but he worked alone and used no audio or
video surveillance. And no drugs or money were found during the arrests.

Thirty-eight defendants were convicted on Coleman's uncorroborated word or
accepted plea bargains for fear they would get long prison sentences. In
seven other cases, the charges were dismissed. And one defendant died
before his trial. The rest of the 38 not covered by yesterday's release had
already been paroled or released on probation.