TULIA DRUG CHARGES EXPECTED TO BE DROPPED

The Swisher County district attorney is expected to drop the charges
against the last defendant accused in the 1999 Tulia drug bust, which drew
national attention after critics said it was racially motivated.

Zuri Bossett, a 22-year-old single mother who lives in Amarillo and is
eight months pregnant, was accused of selling 1.4 grams of cocaine to an
undercover officer three years ago. Her trial was scheduled for Tuesday,
the anniversary of the day 43 people were indicted for selling drugs to
officer Tom Coleman.

District Attorney Terry McEachern declined to comment on the specifics of
the case, but confirmed in today's Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that the
charges were expected to be dismissed.

Of those indicted on Coleman's evidence, 37 were black, three were Hispanic
and three were white, according to the county clerk's office. The Justice
Department investigated the bust and is still reviewing information.