Cousin of Texas governor killed by deputies

[rsmith6621]

AUSTIN, Texas – A cousin of Texas Gov. Rick Perry was shot and killed over the weekend in his backyard during an exchange of gunfire with sheriff's deputies, officials said Thursday.

Perry said Thursday that the death was tragic but stressed he hardly knew his cousin, 74-year-old Larry Don Wheeler, even though he was listed as a member of Perry's 2006 re-election steering committee.

"I'm not sure I would pick him out of a lineup," the governor said of Wheeler, who he said was a distant cousin on his grandmother's side.

Wheeler was sitting on his backyard deck after dinner Saturday night at his home at a Montague County country club when two sheriff's deputies showed up in response to a disturbance call, said David Gossom, an attorney for the family.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091001/ap_on_re_us/us_texas_governor_cousin_shooting

[TexasObserver]

1. On Rick Perry's 2006 Steering Committee!!

[UTUSN]

2. Rick started as a Dem. Now doesn't know kin. Let's go for a history:

He REFUSED chip federal funds for poor kids. He REFUSED stilulus cash. He turned around and begged for federal cash for a MACHO Ranger/Minuteman program to militarize the border. He TRAVELS THE WORLD WITH LOBBYISTS. He MAKES MILLIONS FROM REAL ESTATE DEALS banking on his OFFICE. He ... oh,nevermind.