Hide Article Text (OCR)
It was = true craziness among thepalm - trees'-and alligators — a realmedia event, perfect plot for a TV movie: Crazed drug dealer defies police from island in allightor pit.Warren Gator” Lynch, 45, self*; styled father figure to every transient hippie that passed by, was playing the scene for all it was worth, vowing never to leave the tiny island alive unless all marijuana offenders were released from jail.The scene was strangely casual, relaxed, unreal when photographer Pete Silva and I arrived about 10; 30 p.m. It was still warm, and I was com-fortable 4n .shirtsleeves. Lynch patrolled his little island like a sentry; Police walked about with guns m hand; but most remained in the open, apparently feeling that Lynch would not open fire. The police Were free with information and provided easy access to Lynch. They’d already allowed his girlfriend, Marsha Hopper, 21, to make three trips to the island to take him socks, boots and a couple of jackets. They allowed tel vs ion reporters to talk to Lynch. I talked to him, too. as Silva and I stood on the bridge across the moat, filled with an es-wastmated 65 alligators ranging in lengthy from six to 12 feet.Lynch talked freely, seeming to relish the opportunity.About midnight police abruptly sealed off the area until 6 a.m. A dele-.. \C.• . . . * * . gation of lawmen tried to roust, us from LyncK’s nrtbbile home, but a call to Sheriff Bob Hewes gained us perr mission to stay in the frailer. CWe stayed there all night talking wth his son Brian, 24; his girlfriend, Marsha Hopper, and several friends who had stopped in;They talked a lot to relieve the strain, and in the process revealed a lot about Warren Lynch, a complex, driven man who loves animals, especially reptiles, rides a large motorcycle, lifts weights and feels that his life is a failure. “He’s not at peace with himself, said Brian. His parents■ rtwgre. separated when he was young nbdbe’sonly come to know his dad in lastfew years.He said Lynch has mellowed recently ^especially since hurting his back a few months ago. He has been unable to work.Friends called throgh the night. Several calls were received from Marsha’s brother-in-law in Houston, identified only as* Pete, who said totell Warren help was on the way.It was Pete who arrived hours later with a sandwich and a can of Gato-raide which he triumphty held aloft as he cursed the police.::.a.. '• .w^
Newspaper Details
Corpus Christi Times
Corpus Christi, Texas, US
Fri, Feb 06, 1976
Page 8
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 08 Apr 2020
Other Publications Near Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi Caller and Daily Herald
Corpus Christi Morning Times
Corpus Christi Caller
Corpus Christi Blacklander
Corpus Christi Times
