Justice Delayed Beats Justice Denied
A dozen people wrongly convicted on charges stemming from a phony 1999 drug sweep in Tulia, Texas have been released on bond. This case showcases many of the worst elements of the drug war, including out-of-control cops, compliant courts, and racism.
From an account that ran in the San Francisco Chronicle:
They were among 12 inmates released on bond on Monday afternoon, most of the remaining people behind bars in a controversial 1999 drug sweep that led to convictions of 38 people, most of them black. Attorneys and activists have pointed to the case as an example of racism in law enforcement, and the narcotics agent who organized and carried out the sweep has since been criticized for his tactics, his racial comments and his past.
This case is still far from over but at least some sort of rectification process is underway.
