House Passes Resolution Supporting 'Dog' Chapman
Lawmaker's Resolution Asks Mexican Court To Drop Extradition

POSTED: 1:58 pm HST March 7, 2007
UPDATED: 2:16 pm HST March 7, 2007



HONOLULU -- While the state Legislature is facing a major deadline this week, trying to pass bills to help Hawaii's economy, housing and education, one committee spent two hours on Wednesday hearing testimony on a non-binding resolution to support bounty hunter and reality TV star Duane "Dog" Chapman in his fight against extradition to Mexico.

Chapman went to the state House on Wednesday.

Lawmakers in the International Affairs Committee considered a resolution that asks the Mexican judiciary to drop extradition proceedings against Chapman, his son Leland and associate, Tim Chapman.


The controversy stems from their capture of convicted rapist Andrew Luster in Mexico, where bounty hunting is illegal.

"Americans are not going to commit crimes against women and children and think they can flee to Mexico for refuge," Chapman told lawmakers.

Everyone who testified on Wednesday supported the resolution except for Brett Pruett, who said it was a waste of time and taxpayer dollars.

"I think it makes a mockery of our law," Pruett said. "The honorable Rep. Gene Ward's resolution appears to be nothing more than a political stunt."

Chapman welcomed the criticism, but his wife Beth booed Pruett and was asked to leave the room by the committee chairwoman.

"Are you doing this as a political stunt?" KITV reporter Mahealani Richardson asked.

"He is a constituent of mine. He is a citizen of Hawaii," Ward said.

Ward said the resolution was his idea and helps bring Hawaii into the international political arena.

It passed unanimously and now goes to the House Judiciary Committee.

The Chapmans said they do not know when a Mexican court will rule on the matter.

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