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A shocking look at the collateral consequences of America's drug war. In 1999, forty-three people in this tiny town, located between Lubbock and Amarillo were arrested in a drug sting conducted by a single undercover officer with no corroborating evidence. The majority of those arrested were African-American; the rest had connections with the African-American community. Although there were no drugs or large amounts of cash found, and there was no proof that any drug dealing occurred, twenty of those persons still remain in prison, most serving sentences of 25 to 99 years. One received a mind-boggling 342 years.

Read the case-breaking story from the Austin Chronicle.

Produced by The William Moses Kunstler Fund for Racial Justice with the generous support of the Drug Policy Alliance.

UPDATE

In a story dated 6/16/03, the AP reported that a judge had released on bond 12 of the accused who were still incarcerated pending a ruling by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The release comes while the appeals court considers a recommendation by retired state District Judge Ron Chapman that all the convictions be overturned. A bill passed by Texas legislators last month and signed by Texas Gov. Rick Perry two weeks ago cleared the way for their release. It could take as long as two years for the appeals court to rule. A special prosecutor has said he will dismiss all charges if the court orders new trials. The release doesn't mean the defendants' records have been wiped clean. It likely will be difficult for them to obtain college loans or jobs with a conviction on their records, defense attorneys said. Coleman faces three charges of perjury stemming from his testimony at March evidentiary hearings on four of the cases.

For more information on the latest developments in this case click here.