Salvadorans may be freed in deaths of 6 Americans

Six soldiers and two wealthy rightists jailed for the assassinations of six Americans appear to be on the road to freedom because of quirks in the Salvadoran legal system. US Ambassador Deane Hinton said convictions of six National Guardsmen jailed for the murders of four American women missionaries were "not probable." A judge has recommended the release of the accused murderers of two US land-reform experts.

The release of the suspects could further strain relations between El Salvador and the United States, where the murders triggered a public outcry against the Central American nation. It could also make it harder for President Reagan to provide more military aid to the guerrilla-besieged junta.