Hunt for Fugitive Separatist Cut Back

Authorities scaled back their search for a fugitive member of the “Republic of Texas” secessionist group, expecting him to be driven from the rugged terrain by thirst, hunger and wild animals. Two of the group’s members fled into the mountainside before leader Richard L. McLaren and three followers ended their standoff. One of the fugitives, Mike Matson, 48, was killed in a shootout with authorities. The search won’t resume today because the remaining runaway, Richard Frank Keyes III, hasn’t been spotted and the area is too treacherous for search teams, said Mike Cox, spokesman for the state Department of Public Safety. Keyes, 21, is wanted on charges stemming from the hostage-taking that began the April 27 stalemate.