Nation in brief: Fugitive found, extradited
A fugitive wanted in Tennessee on multiple counts of child rape and exploitation was captured Saturday near Matamoros, Mexico, and jailed in southern Texas.
Donald Edward Lynch, 66, who has been profiled three times on the TV program “America’s Most Wanted,” was taken into custody by Mexican authorities in El Mesquital, the Brownsville Herald reported for a story in today’s editions.
Before being extradited across the border, Lynch claimed his real name was Reynaldo Price and denied the charges.
Lynch faces 11 counts of rape of a child, 38 counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and five counts of aggravated sexual battery in Kingsport, Tenn.
Lynch said he had been living in Matamoros, working at a hotel. “In the four years I was here, numerous kids came to the hotel, and I didn’t do anything to them,” he said.
Boston
Kennedy released after surgery
Sen. Edward Kennedy was released from Massachusetts General Hospital on Saturday, a day after surgery to clear a blockage in a major neck artery.
Kennedy, 75, plans to rest for a few days at the family’s Hyannis Port compound before returning to work in the Senate, according to his office.
The blockage in Kennedy’s left carotid artery was discovered Oct. 4 after a routine physical examination and MRI on his back.
Richmond, Va.
Convention to pick Senate successor
Virginia Republicans will hold a convention instead of a primary to choose their candidate to succeed retiring Sen. John W. Warner, upsetting critics who say it makes the party appear closed off.
The state party’s central committee voted 47-37 on Saturday in favor of a convention. No date or location was decided.
Former Gov. Jim Gilmore and Rep. Tom Davis have expressed interest in seeking the GOP nomination. Supporters of Gilmore wanted a convention, while Davis backers had argued for a primary.
John Warner, 80, announced in August he would not seek a sixth consecutive Senate term next year. Two weeks later, Democrat Mark R. Warner – a popular multimillionaire former governor who is not related to the senator – announced his candidacy for the seat.