SUSPECT IN SLAYING OF POLITICAL ACTIVIST TURNS HIMSELF IN

BAKER CITY, Ore. (AP) -- After a weeklong manhunt that sent investigators
deep into the forested mountains of the Oregon Coast, the suspect in the
shooting death of a local political activist turned himself in Wednesday.

Russell Wayne Dean, 54, surrendered to the Baker County Sheriff about 9:30
a.m. after hiding out in a mountainous area near Florence, more than 400
miles away.

Dean is suspected in the April 27 shooting death of James Rix Anderson, 55,
a well-known activist who once tried to recall the sheriff and accused
county officials of involvement in a drug ring. Police say Anderson and Dean
were once involved with the same woman.

Dean was indicted by the grand jury last week after witnesses and physical
evidence tied him to the crime scene.

After learning Dean was hiding out in Florence, three detectives flew to the
area Monday, only to find that Dean had left just hours before their
arrival. Dean's attorney contacted authorities Tuesday about his plans to
turn himself in.

According to District Attorney Greg Baxter, Anderson became romantically
involved with Dean's girlfriend last year while Dean was out of town. When
Dean returned in February, the woman ended her relationship with Anderson.

According to Baxter, Anderson then began sending her a series of letters
attacking her character and accusing her of committing various crimes. He
also linked the woman to Baker County Sheriff Terry Speelman, whom Anderson
tried unsuccessfully to recall in 1996.