Albuquerque Media Monitoring
News clips from Wednesday, March 2 include stories about:

* Peter Lynch Verdict
* UNM Senior is Mountain West Conference Golfer of the Month
* NMSU Closer to Having New Dean
* UNM Professor Resigns as Director of Creative Writing Institute

2 KASA 9:00 PM

THE UNM STUDENT WHO RIPPED DOWN A MEXICAN FLAG ON CAMPUS . A YEAR AGO WAS FOUND GUILTY TODAY. 30 YEAR OLD PETER LYNCH SAYS HE DID IT BECAUSE IT WAS UNPATRIOTIC TO HAVE THE MEXICAN FLYING WITHOUT THE AMERICAN FLAG. THE JURY FELT DIFFERENTLY. NEWS 13'S ANNIE MCCORMICK HAS MORE ON HIS PUNISHMENT FROM THE NEWSPLEX. IT DID NOT TAKE LONG FOR JUROR'S TO MAKE UP THEIR MIND ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT PETER LYNCH'S FLAG RIPPING INCIDENT WAS AN ACT OF PATRIOTISM OR DAMAGE TO SOMEONE ELSE'S PROPERTY. ALRIGHT THE VERDICT OIF THE JURY GUILTY OF CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY THE JURY'S DECISION COMES ALMOST A YEAR AFTER LYNCH TOOK DOWN THE MEXICAN FLAG ON CAMPUS AND REPORTEDLY RIPPED IT IN HALF EL CENTRO DE LA RAZA, A STUDENT GROUP THAT REPORTEDLY OWNED THE FLAG, CALLED IT AN ACT OF RACISM . SHORTLY AFTER THE INCIDENT LYNCH TOLD NEWS 13 HE WANTED TO REPLACE THE FLAG TO THEM. LYNCH FELT IT WAS UNPATRIOTIC FOR A MEXICAN FLAG TO FLY ALONE ON US SOIL . HE SAID HE ALERTED THE UNM OFFICIALS THAT THE FLAG WAS ALONE AND FOR DAYS NO ONE DID ANYTHING. TODAY IN COURT HIS ATTORNEY SAID HE WAS PROTECTING AN AMERICAN SYMBOL: I RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT TO YOU IF THE CONSTITUTION ON THE FIRST AMENDMENT PERMITS BURNING AN AMERICAN FLAG BELONGING TO ANOTHER PETER LYNCH'S ACTIONS PROTECTING THE SYMBOL OF THE UNTIED STATES IS PROTECTED ACTIVITY BUT PROSECUTORS SAID LYNCH TOOK IT TOO FAR: THERE IS NO REASONABLE DOUBT IN THIS CASE WE HAVE 2 DIFFERNET ADMISSIONS BY THE DEFENDANT THAT HE RIPPED THIS FLAG IN HALF WIHTOUT PERMISSION TO DO THAT REGARDLESS OF WHY HE DID IT, A JURY FOUND THAT I WAS STILL AGAINST THE LAW, AND CONVICTED HIM OF CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY .LYNCH IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE DECISION PLANS TO APPEAL. I TOLD YOU EARLIER WE WERE FAIRLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE VERDICT AND WE'LL SEE WHERE WE GO FROM HERE THE JUDGE HELD SENTENCING RIGHT AFTER THE VERDICT AND ORDERED LYNCH TO: A SIX MONTH DEFFERED SENTENCE PLUS ANGER MANAGEMENT, 48- HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE, SUPERVISED PROBATION AND HE HAS TO REPLACE THE FLAG TO EL CENTRO DE LA RAZA, THE GROUP THAT REPORTEDLY OWNED THE FLAG. BACK TO YOU WE CALLED CENTRO DE LA RAZA FOR THEIR OPINION ON THE VERDICT AND SENTENCING . THEY DID NOT WANT TO COMMENT.

4 KOB 4:00 PM

IT'S A CASE THAT DIVIDED A COMMUNITY. SIDES SPLIT OVER WHETHER AN AIR FORCE VETERAN -- WHO TOOK DOWN AND TORE APART A MEXICAN FLAG -- ACTED OUT OF PATRIOTISM OR HATRED. A JURY SPENT TWO DAYS HEARING THE CASE OF THAT MAN -- PETER LYNCH. SHELTON DODSON IS LIVE AT DISTRICT COURT WITH HIS PUNISHMENT-- SHELTON? WHEN IT BOILS DOWN TO IT THIS IS JUST A MISDEMEANOR CASE OF CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. BUT -- WITH ITS RACIAL OVERTONES -- THIS IS ONE CASE THAT WILL BE REMEMBERED LONGER THAN ANY SENTENCE LYNCH COULD HAVE RECEIVED: WHEN PETER LYNCH TORE APART A MEXICAN FLAG THAT HAD BEEN FLYING IMPROPERLY ON THE UNM CAMPUS HE TOUCHED OFF A FIRE STORM OF EMOTIONS. THE READING OF THE VERDICT AGAINST HIM THIS AFTERNOON WAS MUCH MORE SUBDUED. : "WE FIND THE DEFENDANT GUILTY OF CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY." DURING THE COURSE OF HIS TWO DAY TRIAL LYNCH'S ATTORNEY ARGUED THE US AIR FORCE VETERAN WAS ONLY DEFENDING FEDERAL LAW BY REMOVING THE MEXICAN FLAG WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN ACCOMPANIED BY AN AMERICAN FLAG. A POINT LYNCH REITERATED IN A BRIEF, POST SENTENCING INTERVIEW. : "I WAS A CUB SCOUT. I LEARNED WHEN I WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD HOW TO RAISE AND LOWER THE AMERICAN FLAG AND HOW TO FOLD IT. IF A SEVEN YEAR OLD CAN LEARN IT I THINK IT IS KIND OF EMBEDDED IN OUR SOCIETY AS AMERICANS AND I JUST FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT THE COLORS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THAT'S WHAT IS ALL ABOUT." LYNCH FACED A MAXIMUM OF SIX MONTHS IN JAIL AND A 500-DOLLAR FINE. BUT INSTEAD METRO COURT JUDGE CLYDE DEMERSSEMAN GAVE HIM A SIX MONTH, DEFERRED SENTENCE, PLACED HIM ON PROBATION, AND ORDERED HIM TO REPLACE THE FLAG AND COMPLETE 48-HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. THE JUDGE ADDED THAT EVIDENCE THAT LYNCH'S ACTIONS WERE FUELED BY RACIAL HATRED WAS NOT PROVED. : "THERE HAS BEEN NO EVIDENCE PRESENTED AT TRIAL WHICH DISPUTED THAT THE DEFENDANT ACTED OUT OF HIS OWN SINCE OF PATRIOTISM. HOWEVER THE JURY FOUND THE JURY FOUND THAT DESTROYING SOMEONE ELSE'S FLAG IS ILLEGAL, WHETHER IT IS BACKED BY PATRIOTISM OF SOMETHING ELSE." LYNCH HAS ALREADY REPLACED THE FLAG HE DESTROYED. THAT WAS PART OF THE REQUIREMENTS ISSUED BY UNM IN ORDER TO LYNCH TO REMAIN A STUDENT THERE. REPORTING LIVE FROM DISTRICT COURT . , SHELTON DODSON, EYEWITNESS NEWS FOUR. WE'VE ALREADY HAD A LOT OF FEEDBACK FROM VIEWERS ABOUT TODAY DECISION. IF YOU WANT TO WEIGH IN ON THE MATTER-- YOU CAN-- AT K-O-B-DOT-COM.                    

4 KOB 5:00 PM

AN ALBUQUERQUE JURY TAKES JUST 15-MINUTES TO FIND THE STUDENT WHO TOOK DOWN AND TORE APART A MEXICAN FLAG ON THE UNM CAMPUS . GUILTY. PETER LYNCH WAS CONVICTED OF CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY THIS AFTERNOON -- A MISDEMEANOR. LYNCH ARGUED HE WAS ONLY DEFENDING FEDERAL LAW BY REMOVING THE MEXICAN FLAG LAST FALL -- SAYING IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ACCOMPANIED BY AN AMERICAN FLAG .WHICH IS PROTOCOL. WHILE SOME UNM STUDENTS THOUGHT IT WAS AN ACT OF RACISM -- LYNCH SAYS IT WAS AN ACT OF PATRIOTISM. : "I'M REALLY STILL KIND OF FLOORED THAT I WAS FOUND GUILTY OF A CRIME IN AMERICA. I DO THINK THAT MY ACTIONS MAY HAVE BEEN SLIGHTLY OVERZEALOUS." LYNCH RECEIVED A SIX MONTH DEFERRED SENTENCE AND WAS PLACED ON PROBATION. HE MUST PERFORM 48-HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND GET ANGER MANAGEMENT COUNSELING. HE HAS ALREADY REPLACED THE FLAG HE DESTROYED.

4 KOB 6:00 PM

THE TRIAL IS OVER, BUT THE CONTROVERSY IS NOT. AN ALBUQUERQUE JURY REACHES A GUILTY VERDICT FOR THE STUDENT WHO TORE APART A MEXICAN FLAG THAT WAS FLYING ON UNM'S CAMPUS. BUT TONIGHT THE DEFENDANT REMAINS DEFIANT. SHELTON DODSON IS AT METRO COURT WITH OUR TOP STORY . SHELTON: PETER LYNCH IS AN AIR FORCE VETERAN WHO LITERALLY TOOK THE MATTER OF AN IMPROPERLY FLYING MEXICAN FLAG INTO HIS OWN HANDS. AND WHILE HE WAS RIGHT THAT AN AMERICAN FLAG SHOULD HAVE BEEN FLYING ABOVE IT . HE HAD NO RIGHT TO DESTROY SOMEONE ELSE'S PROPERTY: IT TOOK PETER LYNCH LONGER TO WALK INTO THE COURTROOM AND TAKE HIS SEAT THAN IT DID TO READ THE VERDICT AGAINST HIM. : "WE FIND THE DEFENDANT GUILTY OF CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY." LAST FALL LYNCH PULLED DOWN AND DESTROYED A MEXICAN FLAG ON THE UNM CAMPUS. HE SAID HE DID SO -- NOT OUT OF RACIAL HATRED -- BUT RATHER TO DEFEND FEDERAL LAW. : "I'M REALLY STILL KIND OF FLOORED THAT I WAS FOUND GUILTY OF A CRIME IN AMERICA. I DO THINK THAT MY ACTIONS MAY HAVE BEEN SLIGHTLY OVERZEALOUS." THE CASE DIVIDED THE COMMUNITY. THERE WERE PROTESTS BY MINORITY GROUPS AGAINST LYNCH . AND A MOTORCYCLE RALLY SUPPORTING HIM. TODAY THE JUDGE RULED THERE'S NO PROOF LYNCH ACTED OUT OF HATE . BUT THAT HE DID STILL BREAK THE LAW. : "PUTTING MR. LYNCH IN JAIL FOR SIX MONTHS IS NOT GOING TO MAKE THE FLAG COME BACK. THE BEST THAT THE COURT CAN DO IN THAT REGARD IS ORDER MR. LYNCH TO REPLACE THE FLAG THAT WAS DESTROYED." LYNCH WAS GIVEN A SIX MONTH DEFERRED SENTENCE AND PLACED ON PAROLE. HE MUST ALSO COMPLETE 48-HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND ATTEND ANGER MANAGEMENT COUNSELING. LYNCH HAS ALREADY REPLACED THE FLAG HE DESTROYED. THE STATE ASKED FOR 200-HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE . BUT THE JUDGE SAID 48- HOURS IS THE MAXIMUM HE CAN GIVE FOR A MISDEMEANOR CONVICTION. REPORTING LIVE FROM  METRO COURT ., SHELTON DODSON, EYEWITNESS NEWS FOUR. OUR WEBSITE HAS BEEN BOMBARDED WITH VIEWER COMMENTS ON THIS STORY . IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO POST A COMMENT AND JOIN THE DISCUSSION -- JUST LOG ONTO KOB-DOT-COM.

18:14:24 02:

WATCHDOG GROUP THAT CRITICIZES WHAT IT CALLS WASTEFUL SPENDING BY CONGRESS IS TAKING AIM AT NEW MEXICO. CITIZENS AGAINST GOVERNMENT WASTE CAME OUT WITH ITS ANNUAL PORK REPORT TODAY -- THE REPORT -- CALLED THE PIG BOOK -- SAYS OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION RANKS PRETTY HIGH WHEN IT COMES TO BRINGING HOME THE BACON IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET. WE DUG THROUGH THE REPORT TO GIVE YOU A LOOK AT NEW MEXICO'S SHARE OF THE 17-BILLION DOLLARS IN SO- CALLED PORK SPENDING. AT ITS ANNUAL NEWS CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON TODAY -- THE GROUP ANNOUNCED NEW MEXICO RANKS EIGHTH WORST IN THE COUNTRY FOR PORK BARREL SPENDING PER CAPITA . WITH MORE THAN 200-MILLION DOLLARS EARMARKED TOWARD PROJECTS THE GROUP CONSIDERS UNNECESSARY OR TOO LOCAL. THE LION'S SHARE -- WATER PROJECTS. ALMOST 45- MILLIONS DOLLARS EARMARKED TOWARD FIXING UP DAMS AROUND THE STATE . FIXING UP THE BOSQUE . AND BUILDING AND FIXING LEVEES TO BATTLE FLOODING. THEN THERE'S THE 11-POINT-8 MILLION BUCKS HEADING TO THE MIND INSTITUTE AT UNM FOR BRAIN RESEARCH. THE WATCHDOG GROUP SAYS THIS IS JUST SPENDING FOR SPENDING SAKE. "SO THIS IS TAKING A PILE OF MONEY AND JUST DIVIDING IT UP BECAUSE THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO." THE GROUP ALSO WONDERS WHY AMERICANS SHOULD PAY MORE THAN 3- MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP FIX UP THE SUNPORT . PAY FOR BUSES AND BUS STATIONS FOR ALBUQUERQUE AND SANTA FE AND HELP PAY FOR THE RAIL RUNNER. "AND IF YOU ASK MOST CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS I THINK BECAUSE OF THE EARMARKING PROCESS THEY THINK THEY'RE HERE REPRESENTING THEIR DISTRICTS AND THEIR STATES, INSTEAD OF BEING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THEIR STATES AND DISTRICTS TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. WHILE CITIZENS AGAINST GOVERNMENT WASTE CRITICIZES THESE PROJECTS -- MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WILL TELL YOU THEY'RE JUST DOING THEIR JOBS -- TAKING CARE OF THEIR STATES. HERE'S HOW CITIZENS AGAINST GOVERNMENT WASTE RANKED OUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FOR WASTEFUL SPENDING. JEFF BINGAMAN CAME IN 18TH HIGHEST IN THE SENATE. PETE DOMENICI CAME IN 19TH. IN THE 435- MEMBER HOUSE -- HEATHER WILSON CAME IN 25TH HIGHEST. TOM UDALL WAS 65TH . AND STEVE PEARCE WAY BACK AT NUMBER 229.

4 KOB 6:00 PM

UNM SENIOR ALEXANDRA PHELPS IS THE MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE WOMEN'S GOLFER OF THE MONTH PHELPS POSTED A FOURTH PLACE FINISH AT THE LONGHORN INVITATIONAL THIS MONTH WHILE LEADING HER TEAM TO THE TEAM TITLE AT THE SAME TOURNEY PHELPS CURRENTLY RANKS TENTH IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST IN STROKE AVERAGE

 18:29:41 02:12  

FORCE VETERAN -- WHO TOOK DOWN AND TORE APART A MEXICAN FLAG -- ACTED OUT OF PATRIOTISM OR HATRED. A JURY SPENT TWO DAYS HEARING THE CASE OF THAT MAN -- PETER LYNCH. SHELTON DODSON IS AT DISTRICT COURT WITH HIS PUNISHMENT-- WHEN IT BOILS DOWN TO IT THIS IS JUST A MISDEMEANOR CASE OF CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. BUT -- WITH ITS RACIAL OVERTONES -- THIS IS  ONE CASE THAT WILL BE REMEMBERED LONGER THAN ANY SENTENCE LYNCH COULD HAVE RECEIVED: WHEN PETER LYNCH TORE APART A MEXICAN FLAG THAT HAD BEEN FLYING IMPROPERLY ON THE UNM CAMPUS HE TOUCHED OFF A FIRE STORM OF EMOTIONS. THE READING OF THE VERDICT AGAINST HIM THIS AFTERNOON WAS MUCH MORE SUBDUED. : "WE FIND THE DEFENDANT GUILTY OF CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY." DURING THE COURSE OF HIS TWO DAY TRIAL LYNCH'S ATTORNEY ARGUED THE US AIR FORCE VETERAN WAS ONLY DEFENDING FEDERAL LAW BY REMOVING THE MEXICAN FLAG WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN ACCOMPANIED BY AN AMERICAN FLAG. A POINT LYNCH REITERATED IN A BRIEF, POST SENTENCING INTERVIEW. : "I WAS A CUB SCOUT. I LEARNED WHEN I WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD HOW TO RAISE AND LOWER THE AMERICAN FLAG AND HOW TO FOLD IT. IF A SEVEN YEAR OLD CAN LEARN IT I THINK IT IS KIND OF EMBEDDED IN OUR SOCIETY AS AMERICANS AND I JUST FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT THE COLORS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THAT'S WHAT IS ALL ABOUT." LYNCH FACED A MAXIMUM OF SIX MONTHS IN JAIL AND A 500-DOLLAR FINE. BUT INSTEAD METRO COURT JUDGE CLYDE DEMERSSEMAN GAVE HIM A SIX MONTH, DEFERRED SENTENCE, PLACED HIM ON PROBATION, AND ORDERED HIM TO REPLACE THE FLAG AND COMPLETE 48-HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE THE JUDGE ADDED THAT EVIDENCE THAT LYNCH'S ACTIONS WERE FUELED BY RACIAL HATRED WAS NOT PROVED. : "THERE HAS BEEN NO EVIDENCE PRESENTED AT TRIAL WHICH DISPUTED THAT THE DEFENDANT ACTED OUT OF HIS OWN SINCE OF PATRIOTISM. HOWEVER THE JURY FOUND THE JURY FOUND THAT DESTROYING SOMEONE ELSE'S FLAG IS ILLEGAL, WHETHER IT IS BACKED BY PATRIOTISM OF SOMETHING ELSE." LYNCH HAS ALREADY REPLACED THE FLAG HE DESTROYED. THAT WAS PART OF THE REQUIREMENTS ISSUED BY UNM IN ORDER TO LYNCH TO REMAIN A STUDENT THERE. REPORTING LIVE FROM DISTRICT COURT, SHELTON DODSON, EYEWITNESS NEWS FOUR.

 7 KOAT 5:00 PM

IT WASN'T HIS PROPERTY AND -- A JURY AGREED -- FINDING PETER LYNCH GUILTY OF DESTROYING A FLAG! THE TRIAL LASTED TWO DAYS. IT TOOK THE JURY LESS THAN 20 MINUTES TO COME TO THAT DECISION. F LYNCH IS THE UNM STUDENT WHO TOOK DOWN . F THEN TORE-UP A MEXICAN FLAG, THAT WASFLYING OVER SKOLES HALL. ACTION 7 NEWS REPORTER ROD GREEN WAS IN THE COURTROOM FOR THE TRIAL. HE JOINS US LIVE FROM METRO COURT -- WITH TONIGHTS BIG STORY. ROD? ROD LYNCH WAS FACING THE POSSIBILITY OF JAIL TIME AND A HEFTY FINE IF THE JUDGE WAS INCLINED TO THROW THE BOOK AT HIM. INSTEAD HE'LL DOES SOME COMMUNTTY SERVICE AND IS EXPECTED TO BE MODEL CITIZEN  FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS . AFTER TESTIMONY THAT LASTED INTO THE EVENING HOURS ON TUESDAY . BOTH SIDES RETURNED TO THE COURTROOM TO PLEAD THEIR CASE FOR ONE FINAL TIME. DEFENSE ATTORNEY JOHN D'AMATO REMINDING JURORS OF LYNCH'S SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY. HIS SPECIAL VIEW OF THE FLAG AND CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES . D'AMATO:"I SUBMIT TO YOU IF THE CONSTITUTION UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT PERMITS BURNING AN AMERICAN FLAG BELONGING TO ANOTHER PETER LYNCH'S ACTIONS, PROTECTING THE SYMBOL OF THE UNITED STATES, IS PROTECTED ACTIVITY." BUT PROSECUTOR ANTHONY LONG TOLD THE JURY THE CASE WAS MORE ABOUT PETTY CRIME THAN GRAND CONCEPTS. LONG:"NOBODY'S ON TRIAL TODAY FOR BEING A BAD AMERICAN. SOMEBODY IS ON TRIAL TODAY FOR DESTROYING PROPERTY. IT WASN'T HIS PROPERTY." DEMERSSEMAN:"THE VERDICT OF THE JURY IS THAT WE FIND THE DEFENDANT GUILTY OF CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY." AND THE JURY AGREED. IN LESS TIME THAT IT TAKES TO GET A PIZZA THE FOUR MEN AND TWO WOMEN ON THE JURY FOUND LYNCH GUILTY. A SHORT TIME LATER LYNCH LEARNED HIS SENTENCE. OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM ONE OBSERVER FELT THE OUTCOME WAS FAIR. VALERIE COLLANTON :"THE JUDGE TOOK INTO ACCOUNT ALL OF THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE, AND HEARD ALL THE EVIDENCE ALONG WITH THE JURY, AND I THINK IT WAS APPROPRIATE." BUT ONE VETERAN WAS ANGRY THE TRIAL EVEN TOOK PLACE. HEH:"I THINK IT'S A TRAVESTY. IF MR. LYNCH HAD TAKEN DOWN THE AMERICAN FLAG, WIPED HIS FEET ON IT THEN BURNED IT THEY WOULD HAVE CALLED IT FREEDOM OF SPEECH." ROD TONIGHT AT SIX WE'LL HEAR WHAT LYNCH HAD TO SAY OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM. RGR, A7NEWS F MORE DETAILS NOW LYNCH WAS SENTENCED TO 6-MONTHS PROBATION . HE MUST MAKE RESTITUTION FOR THE FLAG .PLUS DO 48-HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE. AND ATTEND ANGER MANAGEMENT CLASSES HE IS ON PROBATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY, UNTIL MAY 2009.

17:05:00 00

NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY IS ONE STEP CLOSER, TO HAVING NEW DEAN. THE SCHOOL HAS NAMED FIVE FINALISTS, FOR THE DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. THEY WILL INTERVIEW ON CAMPUS -- NEXT WEEK. THE NEW DEAN WILL REPLACE WADED CRUZADO, WHO WAS NAMED N-M-S-U'S, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND PROVOST.

7 KOAT 10:00 PM

UNM STUDENT PETER LYNCH WAS FOUND GUILTY TODAY OF CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY FOR TEARING DOWN . THEN TEARING UP, A MEXICAN FLAG ON CAMPUS LAST YEAR. A JURY OF FOUR MEN AND TWO WOMEN REACHED THE VERDICT AFTER DELIBERATING LESS THAN 20 MINUTES. LYNCH DID NOT TAKE THE STAND IN HIS OWN DEFENSE. OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM, HE TOLD REPORTERS HIS BACKGROUND AS A SCOUT AND VETERAN CAUSED HIM TO REACT OUT OF FRUSTRATION WHEN HE SAW THE MEXICAN FLAG FLYING BY ITSELF ON CONSTITUTION DAY OVER SCHOLES HALL. LYNCH:"NOT ONLY DID THEY FAIL TO RAISE THE STARS AND STRIPES BUT THEY LEFT A FOREIGN FLAG FLYING IN DIRECT CONTRADICTION TO FEDERAL LAW!" LYNCH WAS SENTENCED TO SIX MONTHS PROBATION, COMMUNITY SERVICE, MUST PAY FOR THE FLAG, AND UNDERGO ANGER MANAGEMENT TRAINING. 

13 KRQE 4:00 PM

DOWN A MEXICAN FLAG ON UNM'S CAMPUS AND RIPPING IT GUILTY OF CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. THE DECISION CAME DOWN JUST A HALF HOUR AFTER CLOSING ARGUMENTS ENDED TODAY. NEWS 13'S ANNIE MCCORMICK IS IN THE NEWSPLEX WITH MORE. THIRTY-YEAR OLD PETER LYNCH .A U-N- M STUDENT .SAID HE SAW THE FLAG FLYING WITHOUT AN AMERICAN FLAG AND FELT HE NEEDED TO REMOVE IT. HIS ATTORNEY SAID THE AIR FORCE VETERAN THOUGHT IT WAS UN- PATRIOTIC. PROSECUTORS SAY HE TOOK IT TOO FAR BY DESTROYING THE FLAG . AND JURORS AGREED: ALRIGHT THE VERDICT OF THE JURY GUILTY OF CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY IS THIS THE VERDICT OF ALL THE JURORS? YES IMMEDIATEL   AFTER THE VERDICT JUDGE CLYDE MERSSEMAN HELD LYNCH'S SENTENCING. A SIX MONTH DEFFERED SENTENCE PLUS ANGER MANAGEMENT, 48- HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE, SUPERVISED PROBATION AND HE HAS TO REPLACE THE FLAG TO EL CENTRO DE LA RAZA, THE GROUP THAT REPORTEDLY OWNED THE FLAG. LYNCH SAID HE TRIED TO ALERT PEOPLE THAT THE MEXICAN FLAG WAS FLYING ALONE, WITHOUT AN AMERICAN FLAG, BUT NO ONE DID ANYTHING. SO .HE SAYS HE TOOK IT UPON HIMSELF TO TAKE IT DOWN. TURNS OUT .IT WAS A MISTAKE MADE BY R- O-T-C CADETS. AFTER THE INCIDENT, WHICH HAPPENED LAST YEAR, A LATINO STUDENT GROUP SAID IT WAS AN ACT OF RACISM. TODAY IN COURT LYNCH'S ATTORNEY SAID HE AND HIS CLIENT ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THE VERDICT. 14:11:34----NOT AT THIS TIME NO THANK YOU ? ARE YOU DISAPPOINTED? I TOLD YOU EARLIER WE WERE FAIRLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE VERDICT AND WE'LL SEE WHERE WE GO FROM HERE 14:11:47:. LYNCH WILL APPEAL THE VERDICT. EL CENTRO DE LA RAZA .THE VICTIMS IN THIS CASE .DID NOT WANT TO COMMENT. .BACK TO YOU. OKAY ANNIE. CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO  PROPERTY IS A PETTY MISDEMEANOR. TODAY ON KRQE DOT COM, WE'RE ASKING HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT PETER LYNCH'S ACT OF DESTROYING THE MEXICAN FLAG? WAS IT THE RIGHT THING TO DO .OR THE WRONG THING TO DO? TO VOTE, JUST LOG ONTO TO KRQE DOT COM.

13 KRQE 5:30 PM

A JURY COMES BACK WITH A GUILTY VERDICT FOR THE MAN WHO RIPPED UP A MEXICAN FLAG. TODAY A JURY FOUND A UNM STUDENT GUILTY AFTER HE TOOK DOWN A MEXICAN FLAG FLYING AND RIPPED IT ON THE SCHOOL'S CAMPUS ALMOST A YEAR AGO. HE FELT IT WAS UN- PATRIOTIC . JURORS FELT IT WAS CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. NEWS 13'S ANNIE MCCORMICK IS LIVE IN THE NEWSPLEX WITH MORE: IT DID NOT TAKE LONG FOR JUROR'S TO MAKE UP THEIR MIND ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT PETER LYNCH'S FLAG RIPPING INCIDENT WAS AN ACT OF PATRIOTISM OR DAMAGE TO SOMEONE ELSE'S PROPERTY. ALRIGHT THE VERDICT OIF THE JURY GUILTY OF CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY THE JURY'S DECISION COMES ALMOST A YEAR AFTER LYNCH TOOK DOWN THE MEXICAN FLAG ON CAMPUS AND REPORTEDLY RIPPED IT IN HALF EL CENTRO DE LA RAZA, A STUDENT GROUP THAT REPORTEDLY OWNED THE FLAG, CALLED IT AN ACT OF RACISM . SHORTLY AFTER THE INCIDENT LYNCH TOLD NEWS 13 HE WANTED TO REPLACE THE FLAG TO THEM. LYNCH FELT IT WAS UNPATRIOTIC FOR A MEXICAN FLAG TO FLY ALONE ON US SOIL . HE SAID HE ALERTED THE UNM OFFICIALS THAT THE FLAG WAS ALONE AND FOR DAYS NO ONE DIDANYTHING. TODAY IN COURT HIS ATTORNEY SAID HE WAS PROTECTING AN AMERICAN SYMBOL: I RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT TO YOU IF THE CONSTITUTION ON THE FIRST AMMENDMENT PERMITS BURNING AN AMERICAN FLAG BELONGING TO ANOTHER PETER LYNCH'S ACTIONS PROTECTING THE SYMBOL OF THE UNTIED STATES IS PROTECTED ACTIVITY BUT PROSECUTORS SAID LYNCH TOOK IT TOO FAR: THERE IS NO REASONABLE DOUBT IN THIS CASE WE HAVE 2 DIFFERENT ADMISSIONS BY THE DEFENDANT THAT HE RIPPED THIS FLAG IN HALF WIHTOUT PERMISSION TO DO THAT REGARDLESS OF WHY HE DID IT, A JURY FOUND THAT IT WAS STILL AGAINST THE LAW, AND CONVICTED HIM OF CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY .LYNCH IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE DECISION PLANS TO APPEAL. I TOLD YOU EARLIER WE WERE FAIRLY DISSAPOINTED WITH THE VERDICT AND WE'LL SEE WHERE WE GO FROM HERE THE JUDGE HELD SENTENCING RIGHT AFTER THE VERDICT AND ORDERED LYNCH TO: A SIX MONTH DEFFERED SENTENCE PLUS ANGER MANAGEMENT, 48- HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE, SUPERVISED PROBATION AND HE HAS TO REPLACE THE FLAG. WE CALLED CENTRO DE LA RAZA FOR THEIR OPINION ON THE VERDICT AND SENTENCING . THEY DID NOT WANT TO COMMENT. TODAY'S KRQE DOT COM QUESTION ASKS HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT PETER LYNCH'S ACT OF DESTROYING THE MEXICAN FLAG? 76 PERCENT VOTING SAY IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO 24 PERCENT SAY IT WAS THE WRONG THING TO DO. YOU CAN STILL VOTE ON KRQE DOT COM.

13 KRQE 10:00 PM

A JURY TODAY FOUND AN AIR FORCE VETERAN GUILTY OF CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY FOR RIPPING UP A MEXICAN FLAG ON THE UNM CAMPUS LAST YEAR. 30 YEAR OLD PETER LYNCH SAID HE FELT COMPELLED TO TAKE DOWN THE FLAG BECAUSE IT WAS FLYING UNACCOMPANIED BY THE AMERICAN FLAG. THE PROBLEM ACTUALLY STEMMED FROM A MISCOMMUNICATION AMONG R-O-T-C CADETS RESPONSIBLE FOR RAISING THE AMERICAN FLAG. THE JUDGE SENTENCED LYNCH TO A SIX MONTH DEFERRED SENTENCE ALONG WITH COMMUNITY SERVICE AND ANGER MANAGEMENT CLASSES. ALSO, HE  MUST REPLACE THE RUINED FLAG. LYNCH PLANS TO APPEAL. TODAY'S KRQE DOT COM QUESTION ASKED  HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT PETER LYNCH'S ACT OF DESTROYING THE MEXICAN FLAG? 83 PERCENT SAID IT   WAS RIGHT THING TO DO. 17 PERCENT DISAGREED.

22:13:36 02:

THE PICTURES WERE RECENTLY POSTED ON THE WEB . A UNM PROFESSOR . IN SIMULATED SEX ACTS WITH SOME OF HER STUDENTS. WE FIRST TOLD YOU ABOUT CREATIVE WRITING PROFESSOR LISA CHAVEZ LATE LAST YEAR. NOW - UNM'S CREATIVE WRITING DIRECTOR IS RESIGNING. SHE SAYS THE UNIVERSITY'S GIVEN PROFESSOR CHAVEZ A FREE PASS. NEWS 13'S TIM MAESTAS IS LIVE IN OUR DOT COM CENTER WITH MORE ON THE FACULTY FALLOUT. MICHAEL . MANY OF THE PICTURES ARE TOO GRAPHIC FOR US TO SHOW ON TELEVISION. STILL - UNM DEPUTY PROVOST RICHARD HOLDER SAYS - EVEN THOUGH PROFESSOR CHAVEZ MAY HAVE EXERCISED POOR JUDGEMENT, IT DOES NOT MEAN SHE'S UNFIT FOR HER JOB AT UNM. WE WANT TO WARN THAT YOU MAY FIND SOME OF THE FOLLOWING PICTURES OFFENSIVE. THE PICTURES RANGE FROM RELATIVELY TAME . TO VERY GRAPHIC. SOURCES TELL NEWS 13  THAT'S CREATIVE WRITING PROFESSOR LISA CHAVEZ . POSING WITH ONE OF HER STUDENTS. " . THERE SHOULD PROBABLY BE SOME SORT OF SANCTIONING ." UNM'S CREATIVE WRITING DIRECTOR SHARON WARNER SAYS . SHE FIRST BROUGHT THE PICTURES, AND THE WEBSITE WHERE SHE FOUND THEM, TO THE ATTENTION OF U- N-M ADMINISTRATORS BACK IN JULY OF LAST YEAR. AND SHE'S NOT HAPPY WITH THE WAY THE UNIVERSITY HAS RESPONDED. " . WE HAVE TRIED TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS, THE ACADEMIC PROCESS OF REQUESTING AN ETHICS COMMITTEE INVESTIGATION ." IT HASN'T HAPPENED YET. UNM DEPUTY PROVOST RICHARD HOLDER TELLS NEWS 13 ." UNM PROPERLY. MANY, MANY HOURS WITH MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SPENT ON THIS ISSUE". STILL - WARNER IS SO UPSET - SHE'S DECIDED TO STEP  DOWN AS DIRECTOR. " . I FELT LIKE I HAD TO DO SOMETHING TO SAY THIS IS NOT OKAY ." " . EVERYTHING WE PHOTOGRAPH IS STAGED ." A WOMAN WHO POSED ON THE WEBSITE AFTER SHE STUDIED UNDER PROFESSOR CHAVEZ TOLD US THREE MONTHS AGO . THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. " . WHAT I THINK IS REALLY HAPPENING IS THE VIEWER IS IMAGINING MUCH MORE ." " . WE THINK A MESSAGE HAS TO BE SENT OUT - NOT ONLY TO HER, BUT TO OTHER FACULTY MEMBERS - BECAUSE IF THIS IS NOT UNETHICAL, WHAT IS UNETHICAL? ." " . HOW FAR ARE YOU WILLING TO TAKE THIS? TO THE GOVERNOR ." WARNER IS RESIGNING FROM HER DIRECTOR POSITION, BUT SHE'S STILL STAYING WITH UNM AS A PROFESSOR. SHE'S PART OF MORE THAN A DOZEN FACULTY MEMBERS NOW APPEALING THE CASE AGAINST CHAVEZ, TO UNMS INTERIM PROVOST. BACK TO YOU. THANKS, TIM. PROFESSOR CHAVEZ IS NOW ON SABBATICAL. WE WERE UNABLE TO REACH HER TODAY FOR COMMENT.