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Outlaws President Convicted in Fla. By PAT LEISNER .c The Associated Press TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Harry ``Taco'' Bowman, the alleged kingpin of the Outlaws motorcycle gang, was convicted Tuesday of ordering the slayings of snitches and rival gang members. Bowman, 51, showed no emotion as the verdicts were read, capping a monthlong racketerring trial. The onetime fugitive included on the FBI's ``Ten Most Wanted'' list could face up to life in prison when he is sentenced July 27 by U.S. District Judge James S. Moody. He was convicted of eight of nine counts and acquitted of an arson charge. Jurors began deliberations Monday afternoon and reached their verdicts before lunch Tuesday. ``We think they returned an appropriate and just verdict,'' said the lead prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Kunz, as he left the courthouse. During his trial, the government maintained that as international Outlaws president, Bowman for years commanded legions of bikers, wielding absolute power and ordering the executions. ``He was the big boss. He ran the club absolutely,'' Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Kunz told the jury Monday in closing arguments. Defense attorneys countered that Outlaws chapter presidents operated on their own and were individually responsible for killing informants, bombing cars, and blowing up rival gang clubhouses in turf wars. They also attacked the credibility of prosecution witnesses. ``They're testifying from the witness stand when they should be in the electric chair,'' Bowman's lawyer, Henry Gonzalez, told the jury Monday. Defense witnesses said they never took part in any violent crimes or gang wars and joined the club just to ride, party and see new places. Wayne Hicks, one-time regional head of the Outlaws in Florida, was a key government witness, the highest-ranking member of the club to testify against Bowman. An Outlaw for 14 years, Hicks methodically described for jurors years of killings, bombings and other violence he said Bowman ordered. Hicks pleaded guilty to conspiracy in 1997, admitting he helped plan a 1991 slaying of a rival club leader. Ruling as international president from the Detroit clubhouse, Bowman lived a quiet life in upscale Grosse Point Farms, Mich., sending his children to private school and driving an armored-plated Cadillac. Bowman was indicted by a Tampa grand jury in August 1997, accused of crimes ranging from murder to drug trafficking. After his indictment, Bowman spent two years on the run.        _   .-.-.=-.  Mary  (_)=='(_) Realriders.com