Bounty hunter's lawyer plans to appeal extradition
Associated Press
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An attorney for Duane "Dog" Chapman said yesterday he believes the TV bounty hunter will be treated fairly by the Mexican judicial system, which allows for an appeal of a court decision to extradite Chapman and two fellow bounty hunters.
Attorney William Bollard said the only word Chapman's U.S. attorneys so far had of a decision Thursday by the Second District Court in Guadalajara came through an Associated Press story out of Guadalajara.
Bollard denied an assertion in the story, which quoted a court spokeswoman, that Chapman's lawyers had argued he could not receive a fair trial in Mexico on charges of illegal detention of Max Factor makeup heir and convicted rapist Andrew Luster in 2003.
"The legal process in Mexico continues, and we remain confident that our clients' case will be handled fairly through the appeals process, if necessary," Bollard said in a statement.
Chapman, 53, and his wife, Beth, had said they were "in shock" upon hearing the report of the court's decision. Both Chapman and his wife are stars of the A&E Hawai'i-based reality series "Dog the Bounty Hunter," which follows the exploits of Chapman and his associates in apprehending people who have avoided arrest warrants.
"We are obviously deeply disappointed and fearful of what will happen, and are currently absorbing the news and discussing our options at this time," they said in a statement late Thursday.
Bollard said the Chapmans are "relying on the Mexican judicial system to do the right thing by exonerating our clients." Chapman's son, Leland, and an associated who is not a relative, Tim Chapman, are also charged in the Mexican case.
He said if word is received from the Mexican district court that it approved extradition of Chapman and the others to Mexico, lawyers immediately would file an appeal with the Mexican federal court.
The district court decision alone would not clear the way for his clients' extradition, Bollard said.
Norma Jara, spokeswoman for the court in Guadalajara, had announced late Thursday the court rejected Chapman's injunction request, ruling there was no reason not to try him on charges he illegally arrested Luster.
Once Chapman has been formally notified of the decision, he has five days to file an appeal that could block his extradition, she said.
Mexican authorities have already asked for Chapman's extradition from Hawai'i.
The charges stem from his June 2003 capture of Luster in Puerto Vallarta. Luster had fled to Mexico to avoid trial, and his detention by Chapman led to his return to the U.S. and a 124-year prison term.
Luster's capture shot the bounty hunter to fame and led to the TV series.
Chapman, who is now free on $300,000 bail, faces up to four years in a Mexican jail if convicted. But his Mexican lawyer, Jorge Huerta, doubts he would get the maximum. Huerta said illegal detention is a relatively minor crime in Mexico, and that if Chapman is convicted, he would likely only have to pay a fine of several hundred dollars.
Correction: Bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman's son is named Leland; Tim Chapman is an unrelated associate. Their names were reversed in a previous version of this story,
