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CNN Live At Daybreak
Tulia Defendants Freed
Aired June 17, 2003 - 06:38 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Now to Tulia, Texas, where a dozen former inmates are trying to begin new lives on the outside. Drug cases involving the 12 are being reviewed, after the man who helped convict them was indicted on perjury charges.
CNN's Ed Lavandera has been following this remarkable reversal of fortune, and has the latest for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Almost four years after 46 people were arrested in a major drug sweep here in Tulia, Texas, one defense attorney says that what happened here on Monday is a symbolic gesture of just how wrong these people have been treated by the judicial process.
On July 23, 1999, one undercover agent put together cases that led to the arrests of about 10 percent of this town's black population. Twelve of them were released on bond on Monday from the courthouse, the very same courthouse they were tried in four years ago. And they say at this point, they're happy to be free.
FREDDIE BROOKINS, DEFENDANT: It's really a blessing to finally be home with our families. I'm speaking on behalf of everyone. But we also want to thank the media. You know, if it wasn't for you guys, you know, we'd probably still be in the same place, starting from the beginning.
JOE MOORE, DEFENDANT: I'm doing good. I'm doing good now. And I want to enjoy it, my lawyers and everything, and just get on with my life.
LAVANDERA: The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Parole Board are still reviewing these cases, and lawyers for these Tulia 46, as they've become known, hope that eventually all of these charges will be completely wiped away from their records.
Meanwhile, the undercover agent, Tom Coleman, whose investigation led to the arrests of the Tulia 46, says he still stands behind his work in these cases, and he says that what happened on Monday has just led to the release of more drug dealers on Tulia streets.
Ed Lavandera, CNN, Tulia, Texas.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired June 17, 2003 - 06:38 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Now to Tulia, Texas, where a dozen former inmates are trying to begin new lives on the outside. Drug cases involving the 12 are being reviewed, after the man who helped convict them was indicted on perjury charges.
CNN's Ed Lavandera has been following this remarkable reversal of fortune, and has the latest for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Almost four years after 46 people were arrested in a major drug sweep here in Tulia, Texas, one defense attorney says that what happened here on Monday is a symbolic gesture of just how wrong these people have been treated by the judicial process.
On July 23, 1999, one undercover agent put together cases that led to the arrests of about 10 percent of this town's black population. Twelve of them were released on bond on Monday from the courthouse, the very same courthouse they were tried in four years ago. And they say at this point, they're happy to be free.
FREDDIE BROOKINS, DEFENDANT: It's really a blessing to finally be home with our families. I'm speaking on behalf of everyone. But we also want to thank the media. You know, if it wasn't for you guys, you know, we'd probably still be in the same place, starting from the beginning.
JOE MOORE, DEFENDANT: I'm doing good. I'm doing good now. And I want to enjoy it, my lawyers and everything, and just get on with my life.
LAVANDERA: The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Parole Board are still reviewing these cases, and lawyers for these Tulia 46, as they've become known, hope that eventually all of these charges will be completely wiped away from their records.
Meanwhile, the undercover agent, Tom Coleman, whose investigation led to the arrests of the Tulia 46, says he still stands behind his work in these cases, and he says that what happened on Monday has just led to the release of more drug dealers on Tulia streets.
Ed Lavandera, CNN, Tulia, Texas.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
