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Top Stories for October 26, 2010

Travis County Criminal Justice Complex
Photo by Erik Reyna KUT
Jury selection begins today in the conspiracy trial of former U.S. House leader Tom Delay.

Jury Selection Begins Today in Delay Trial

Jury selection begins in an Austin courtroom today for the conspiracy trial of former House Leader Tom Delay.

Delay is charged with conspiring to launder $190,000 in corporate donations through campaign accounts in the midst of the 2002 elections.

His lawyers have argued that he won’t be able to get a fair trial in Austin, because of his role in the 2003 redistricting that cost some longtime Democratic state lawmakers their seats.

The presiding judge disagreed, and has called a large pool of prospective jurors for today.

Quintana May Be Disciplined Again

The officer who’s firing was overturned by an independent arbitrator last week may lose his job again.

Leonardo Quintana, the same officer who shot and killed 18 year-old Nathaniel Sanders II last year, was fired earlier this year after he was stopped on drunk driving charges.

Now, he is facing new discipline stemming from an investigation into a domestic violence incident last year, involving his then-fiancee.

Quintana’s lawyer disputes the accusations. A disciplinary hearing will be held later this week.

Amber Alert Issued

Authorities are searching for 4 year-old Robin Alissa Longnon. An Amber Alert was issued after she was reported missing yesterday from Cleveland, TX.

Longnon has black hair, brown eyes, and weighs 30 pounds. She was last seen wearing a pink and brown shirt.

Officials suspect 39-year-old Jorge Arturo Rodriguez abducted her. He’s driving a white 2005 Mazda van with Louisiana license plates.

Officials tell KUT the two could be in the Houston area and that the suspect has a history of violent tendencies. Anyone with information is asked to call 911.

Matt Largey is the Projects Editor at KUT. That means doing a little bit of everything: editing reporters, producing podcasts, reporting, training, producing live events and always being on the lookout for things that make his ears perk up. Got a tip? Email him at mlargey@kut.org. Follow him on Twitter @mattlargey.