Post by Surfer in the know on Jul 9, 2003 10:03:36 GMT -5
Bounty hunter 'Dog' now wanted in Mexico
By Daniel Hernandez
Los Angeles Times
Duane "Dog" Chapman, the bounty hunter who nabbed fugitive rapist Andrew Luster, was himself declared a fugitive Tuesday by Mexican authorities after he failed to show up for a court hearing related to last month's capture in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Chapman -- along with his brother Timothy and son Leland -- were let free but ordered to remain within Puerto Vallarta city limits while facing trial on a charge of depriving Luster's liberty during their capture. But instead of checking in with Judge Jose Jesus de Pineda on Monday, Chapman was in a Ventura County, Calif., courthouse seeking a portion of the $1 million bail Luster forfeited when he fled.
"They abused the benefits that the law here gave them. They think they're heroes, they think they're above the law," said Puerto Vallarta District Attorney Marco Roberto Juarez.
Juarez said an order for Chapman's "recapture" will probably be issued this week. Mexican authorities also said they will request that the United States extradite Chapman to remain behind bars until his trial is completed, Juarez said.
Legal experts, however, said Mexico is unlikely to win extradition. While the United States and Mexico have a extradition treaty, Chapman's case is unusual, they said. In the end, Chapman's alleged offense will probably be trumped by the good that came of catching Luster in the minds of U.S. officials, said Houston-based extradition lawyer Douglas McNabb. "He was going down to try to find a very serious felon who jumped a state bond, he was trying to bring him back to serve a sentence, and I think there's a lot of good in what he did."
But another lawyer cautioned against dismissing the Mexican case for extradition.
"This case is an exact reason why the rule of law should apply because we wouldn't want the Mexican government to circumvent the extradition treaty" in cases where the United States wants someone extradited, said Los Angeles attorney Paul Hoffman, who litigated a high-profile extradition case between the U.S. and Mexico in the 1990s.
The only reason for not allowing extradition, Hoffman said, would be if there was proof that Chapman would face abuse or torture in Mexico.
Chapman's longtime partner Beth Smith this week said Chapman was treated inhumanely during his four nights in jail, an allegation that officials in Mexico denied Tuesday.
NOT SURE WHAT YOU GUYS CAN DISPUTE NOW! DOG IS A WANTED MAN HIMSELF! NOW HE IS JUST LIKE THE CRIMINALS HE CLAIMS TO CATCH!
By Daniel Hernandez
Los Angeles Times
Duane "Dog" Chapman, the bounty hunter who nabbed fugitive rapist Andrew Luster, was himself declared a fugitive Tuesday by Mexican authorities after he failed to show up for a court hearing related to last month's capture in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Chapman -- along with his brother Timothy and son Leland -- were let free but ordered to remain within Puerto Vallarta city limits while facing trial on a charge of depriving Luster's liberty during their capture. But instead of checking in with Judge Jose Jesus de Pineda on Monday, Chapman was in a Ventura County, Calif., courthouse seeking a portion of the $1 million bail Luster forfeited when he fled.
"They abused the benefits that the law here gave them. They think they're heroes, they think they're above the law," said Puerto Vallarta District Attorney Marco Roberto Juarez.
Juarez said an order for Chapman's "recapture" will probably be issued this week. Mexican authorities also said they will request that the United States extradite Chapman to remain behind bars until his trial is completed, Juarez said.
Legal experts, however, said Mexico is unlikely to win extradition. While the United States and Mexico have a extradition treaty, Chapman's case is unusual, they said. In the end, Chapman's alleged offense will probably be trumped by the good that came of catching Luster in the minds of U.S. officials, said Houston-based extradition lawyer Douglas McNabb. "He was going down to try to find a very serious felon who jumped a state bond, he was trying to bring him back to serve a sentence, and I think there's a lot of good in what he did."
But another lawyer cautioned against dismissing the Mexican case for extradition.
"This case is an exact reason why the rule of law should apply because we wouldn't want the Mexican government to circumvent the extradition treaty" in cases where the United States wants someone extradited, said Los Angeles attorney Paul Hoffman, who litigated a high-profile extradition case between the U.S. and Mexico in the 1990s.
The only reason for not allowing extradition, Hoffman said, would be if there was proof that Chapman would face abuse or torture in Mexico.
Chapman's longtime partner Beth Smith this week said Chapman was treated inhumanely during his four nights in jail, an allegation that officials in Mexico denied Tuesday.
NOT SURE WHAT YOU GUYS CAN DISPUTE NOW! DOG IS A WANTED MAN HIMSELF! NOW HE IS JUST LIKE THE CRIMINALS HE CLAIMS TO CATCH!
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