Amazed by His Own Lies

In Tulia, Texas, where one-tenth of the black population was arrested for drug dealing on the questionable say-so of undercover cop Thomas Coleman, the truth seems to be gradually emerging. In some cases, The New York Times notes, Coleman's lies were revealed early on.

Tonya White was able to find bank records to show that she was in Oklahoma when Mr. Coleman swore he had bought drugs from her in Tulia. Billy Wafer produced timecards showing he had been at work when Mr. Coleman said he had been selling drugs. Yul Bryant defended himself by pointing out that he could not be the tall black man "with bushy type hair" described in Mr. Coleman's report. Mr. Bryant based this on the fact that he is short and balding.

In other cases, defendants sentended to prison are seeking to have their convictions overturned. Asked about the reliability of his testimony in a civil case stemming from one arrest, Coleman confessed:

"That can be questionable….I mean, I have read over my testimony, and some of that stuff in there is, like, totally out in left field."

Comments

[Ranald H.]

"...totally out in left field" sums up the leanings and reputation of the NYTimes, too.

[The Judge]

Yes, by all means, Ranald, let's beat up on the messenger here, and ignore the gross injustice because, after all, it's only black people we're talking about, and who the hell cares that they've been railroaded except some pansy, French-loving liberal newspaper.

Honestly, I can't for the life of me see how political ideology is relevant in this case. We're talking basic notions of fairness that should transcend the lines of Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative. When a cop has fabricated testimony so obviously that he can't even believe it himself, you have to wonder: 1) how did these people ever get convicted in the first place; and 2) why isn't there more outrage about it?

[Madog]

"...and ignore the gross injustice because, after all, it's only black people we're talking about..."

I think you answered your own questions, Judge.

[Tim Stich]

The local weekly tabloid the Austin Chronicle did a good in-depth story about Thomas Coleman. He is clearly a lying sack of shit that needs to be set fire to and set on the doorstep of the DEA (in a very humorous and figurative sense of course. Wink wink tee hee 😉 Mr. censor and/or DEA official).

I can't wait to see what reparations the state of Texas will have to pay back to the people who got sent to the slammer based on testimony from this fraud. I hope it's in the multi-millions and takes down a couple of drug warriors with it in the ensuing political firestorm. I'm personally embarassed that this crap happens in my home state.

[Gary Gunnels]

The Judge,

Some people just perfer to be jackasses.