| Description |
1 videodisc (54 min.) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in. |
| System Details |
DVD. |
| Performer |
Tom Coleman, Freddie Brookins Sr., Bobby Keeter, Sue Riddick, Larry Stewart, Mimi McBroom, Terri Brookins, Freddie Brookins, Charles Kiker, Michelle White, Ricky White, Pattie Brookins, Gary Gardner, Nate Blakeslee, Jeff Blackburn, Rev. Edwin Sanders, Ron Chapman, Alberta Williams, Rod Hobson. |
| Credits |
Editor, Linda Peckham, Kenji Yamamoto ; camera, Cassandra Herrman ; music composer, Mike Semple. |
| Note |
Originally produced as a documentary film in 2007. |
|
Broadcast as an episode of Independent Lens on February 10, 2009, on PBS. |
| Summary |
In 1999, undercover narcotics agent Thomas Coleman executed one of the biggest drug stings in Texas history. Of forty-six people indicted for dealing cocaine, thirty-nine were black. Thirty-eight defendants took plea bargains; eight who fought the charges were all convicted and sent to prison. After three years, attorneys finally won a hearing before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. On June 16, 2003, thirteen Tulia defendants were released from prison. After the Governor pardoned all the convicted defendants, the settlement of a civil suit, the arrest and conviction of Coleman on a felony charge that bars him from ever working in law enforcement again, Tulia seemed to return to normal. What is 'normal' when this is the price paid by small town Americans for the war on drugs? |
| Contents |
Drug hysteria -- Arrests -- Trials -- Crusading attorney -- Drug Task Force -- Town bigotry -- Campaigns to free convicted -- Coleman's credibility questioned -- Convicted released/Town response -- Conclusion and legacy. |
| Language |
In English; closed-captioned. |
| Note |
GMD: videorecording. |
| Subject |
Coleman, Thomas Roland.
|
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Crime and race -- United States.
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Police corruption -- Texas -- Tulia.
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False imprisonment -- Texas -- Tulia.
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Judicial error -- Texas -- Swisher County.
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Drug traffic -- Investigation -- Texas -- Tulia.
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Race discrimination -- Texas -- Swisher County.
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Discrimination in law enforcement -- Texas -- Tulia.
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Racial profiling in law enforcement -- Texas -- Tulia.
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Discrimination in criminal justice administration -- United States.
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Discrimination in criminal justice administration -- Texas -- Tulia.
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Criminal justice, Administration of -- Social aspects -- United States.
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Criminal justice, Administration of -- Economic aspects -- United States.
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Tulia (Tex.) -- Race relations.
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| Genre/Form |
Historical television programs.
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Nonfiction television programs.
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Documentary television programs.
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Video recordings for the hearing impaired.
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| Added Author |
Herrman, Cassandra.
|
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Whalen, Kelly.
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Independent Television Service.
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Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
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California Newsreel (Firm)
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| Added Title |
Independent lens (Television program)
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