THE RACE MAY BE OVER IN TULIA

Billy Wayne Dick's Sept. 28 guest column about the Tulia drug bust provided
a different perspective.

Dick was a 1960 football star in Tulia with the current sheriff and several
others he listed as "the real citizens of Tulia."

In his column written to several area papers, he stated the sheriff and the
"real citizens of Tulia" were "Christians," "humanitarians," and "true
patriots."

The only evidence in these cases was provided by a former jailer fired from
his past job and hiding from arrest warrants related to his previous law
enforcement employment. He supposedly was the only witness to 100-plus
crimes committed in Tulia by 46 people. No other evidence or witnesses were
brought forward.

The undercover agent's questionable background was not allowed in any of
the Tulia trials.

But the sheriff was allowed to testify to his opinion that the agent was
"truthful" and told the media the agent was a "man of integrity and
professionalism."

In court, District Attorney Terry McEachern suggested the credibility of
the sheriff was in question if the defendents were found innocent.

Dick may be correct that racism is not the primary issue. What may be
preventing due process in Swisher County is that the 46 accused citizens
did not have the relationship with the sheriff the "real citizens" enjoyed.

Is it possible the primary concern of the jurors was the reputation of the
sheriff and not the evidence against the accused?

The sheriff, district attorney and judge missed the opportunity to perform
their jobs in a professional, non-personal manner. As a result, the lives
of 46 black citizens have been destroyed, the judicial system appears to be
corrupt, and a town is embroiled in a race controversy.

Again, as Dick suggests, the problem may not be racism.

Myrla Gardner, Tulia