Duane 'Dog' Chapman: 'Dog the Bounty Hunter' Catches a Break

Duane 'Dog' Chapman caught a much deserved break as Mexican court will delay prosecution of the 'Dog the Bounty Hunter' until more evidence in the case can be presented.

'Dog the Bounty Hunter' Catches a Break

On Oct. 17, an appeals court in Guadalajara granted an order to halt the criminal case, including extradition proceedings, against Chapman, his son Leland and associate Timothy Chapman (no relation) until further evidence and testimony is gathered, reports the Honolulu Star-Bulletin

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In a move that outraged many, U.S. Marshals arrested Chapman on Sept. 14 along with his son Leland and another associate after Mexico issued a warrant because of his capture of fugitive convicted rapist Andrew Luster, the Max Factor heir, on June 18, 2003, in Puerto Vallarta.

Bounty hunting is considered a crime in Mexico.
 
Chapman was released on $300,000 bail after spending a night in a federal detention center. He and his crew have been facing extradition to Mexico since then.

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AP reports that the possible extradition has ignited an uproar among members of Congress and Chapman's fans, who consider him a hero for capturing a rapist and doing a job the government could not. Twenty-nine congressmen have sent a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice asking her to deny the extradition.

Leading that charge was Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo.

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In 2003, Dog Chapman and his team traveled to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to retrieve the rapist - Max Factor cosmetics heir Andrew Luster - who was wanted in the U.S. on rape charges and bring him to justice.

Thanks to the Dog, Luster is now in jail, serving a 124-year term. 

Chapman and two others were jailed in Mexico for a brief time for the incident three years ago as bounty hunting is considered a crime in Mexico. 

They posted bond and were released.  Chapman believed he was working within Mexican laws by having a local police officer supervising the hunt for Luster. Chapman said also that he left Mexico in 2003 and didn't return for a scheduled court hearing based on the advice of an attorney there.

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At a press conference announcing the latest developments, Chapman said Mexico is becoming a safe haven for American fugitives and killers.

"These guys know where to run. Where can we go so the Dog can't catch us?" said Chapman, wearing a powder-blue dress shirt with rolled-up sleeves, black jeans, cowboy boots, a big silver bulldog belt buckle, a Rolex watch and mirrored Oakley sunglasses. He was not wearing an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet that a judge agreed this week to remove.

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For now - most fans and at least twenty-nine member of Congress are just happy the Dog can stay free and continue his work and his popular A&E show.

--Jon Shanks writes from Tempe