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 Editorials | Opinions | March 2007 
It's Time To Free This 'Dog' From The Pound
 Joe Murray - The Bulletin
It is an amazing story. A wealthy, pampered, rich kid, born with a silver spoon in his mouth and a $3.1 million trust fund in his wallet, lets his ego get to big for his britches. He parties, drinks and assumes the persona of a modern-day Don Juan. This, however, is not enough.
For children borne of endless cash, life tends to be one big quest for an adrenaline high. There is, though, an inherent flaw built into the Robin Leach lifestyle - yesterday's high always produces this morning's low. Soon partying, drinking and womanizing just doesn't do what it once did and, as the Kennedy family has poignantly demonstrated, the ante always needs to be upped.
This is the case of Andrew Luster. A product of a world in which a Rolls is a car and not something one eats, Luster stood to be the heir of the Max Factor cosmetics fortune. He had everything one could imagine - money, fame, notoriety and a life of leisure. This, as mentioned before, was not enough.
To the man who has everything, life is very boring and, as the saying goes, idle hands are the devil's workshop. To quell his boredom and occupy his time, Luster decided to become a date rapist. He slipped three women gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid, a date rape drug commonly referred to as GHB, and then assaulted them.
When the victims realized what happened, the authorities were contacted, an investigation opened, and Luster headed south of the border. The police found video evidence of Luster's crimes and, after being declared a fugitive, the fallen heir was tried in absentia.
Luster was convicted of 86 of the 87 charges and was subsequently sentenced to 124 years in prison. One would think justice had been served, but there was just one thing missing - Luster.
While his lawyers were fighting in court, Luster was under a cabana sipping pina coladas, for after the winds of indictment started blowing in Luster's direction, he set sail to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where he resumed his old habits. Living off his trust, and a yacht, Luster enjoyed his days surfing, drinking and, you guessed it, partying. He was placing his proverbial thumb in the America's eye.
Our friends South of the Border did not mind that Luster was in their midst, as they apparently had more important things to do instead of apprehending a convicted rapist. One man, however, decided to take action and obtain justice.
Duane Chapman, commonly known as "Dog the Bounty Hunter," decided he would bring this flagrant fugitive to justice. Chapman went to Puerto Vallarta in June 2003, apprehended Luster, and delivered the rapist to Mexican authorities. When Luster's residence was searched, authorities found GHB, indicating that Luster was up to his hold tricks.
One would think that the Mexican authorities would be grateful a rapist was taken off their beaches, but one would be wrong. Chapman's deliverance of this convicted felon was met with a new criminal charge - against Chapman. See, Mexicans frown upon bounty hunting, for obvious reasons, and what would have been considered heroic in the States is considered a crime in Mexico.
Upon handing Luster over to the Mexican authorities, Chapman, and his crew, were charged with depriving Luster his liberty. Chapman posted bail and returned to his Hawaii home, but Mexico City soon started to clamor for extradition. U.S. Marshals took Chapman into custody in September 2006, but the bounty hunter posted bail and began to fight the extradition in Mexican courts.
About a week ago, the Associated Press reported the second district court in Guadalajara denied Chapman's request for an injunction, thus potentially clearing the way for Chapman to be extradited to Mexico to stand trial. And in light of the current international tensions between Washington and Mexico City over immigration, it is a safe bet Captain Kangaroo will be presiding over the trial.
How can it be that a man who apprehended a convicted rapist is forced to stand trial for the apprehension? How can the U.S. government just sit on its hands and watch Chapman be sent to the gallows when it reaped the benefit of his actions? And is America ready to have the blood of this hero on her hands?
Make no mistake; Chapman is not some common criminal worthy of a stint in the Mexican Hanoi Hilton. Chapman is one of the good guys, he is a shining example of how the American dream can reform, not repress.
And if Chapman is extradited to Mexico, he will assuredly be found guilty and his four-year sentence, the maximum punishment for his "crime," will have the same effect as a capital conviction.
In responding to the news that his injunction was denied and U.S. Marshals would soon be waiting to throw him into the lion's den, Chapman stated he and his wife "are obviously disappointed and fearful of what would happen ... ." And Chapman has every reason in the world to be fearful.
While it would be dangerous for any gringo bounty hunter to spend just one night in a Mexican prison, Chapman is far from an ordinary bounty hunter. He is a star, a celebrity, and a known crime fighter. With such a resume, Chapman is guaranteed that a prison welcome wagon will not just greet him, but run over him.
Is the U.S. willing to sell "Dog" down the river to a nation that is anything but a cooperative ally? One would hope not.
Mexico is not a friend in the true sense. To show her contempt toward U.S. law, Mexico has created her very own "Border Crossings for Dummies." This 32-page publication - Guia Del Migrante Mexicano (The Guide for the Mexican Migrant) - shows illegals how and when to break into the United States, and it also instructs illegals on how to evade U.S. authorities.
If the Marshals are going to hand Chapman over to Mexico, the U.S. should demand that the Mexican officials responsible for such a publication be placed into U.S. custody. Mexico is knowingly aiding and abetting millions in the violation of U.S. law, and her officials need to be held accountable.
Mexico's history surrounding extradition of Mexican criminals to the U.S. has been lackluster at best, obstructive at worse. Only after the U.S. threatened to cut off aid to our southern neighbor did Mexico City agree to extradite Raul Gomez-Garcia, an illegal immigrant who killed a Denver police officer.
If Mexico fought Washington tooth and nail on Gomez, why are we just rolling over and playing dead in our fight for Chapman?
And the most compelling reason not to extradite Chapman is a treaty between the U.S. and Mexico that prevents the extradition of suspects that may face the death penalty. While this treaty applies to de jure charges, one could argue that Chapman's extradition would result in a de facto death penalty. That alone should put the brakes on extradition.
Chapman is in the right on this one. While this author does not endorse the violation of foreign laws, it would be wholly unjust to extradite Chapman and his crew, for the punishment does not fit the crime.
Mexico enjoys a trade deficit that has topped $500 billion since NAFTA, unhampered flow of its poor to American welfare rolls, and a booming manufacturing base subsidized by the U.S. America holds the key cards in this poker game, and she must play them to keep Chapman in America.
If Mexico wants Chapman, say goodbye to NAFTA, that porous border and American aid, and say hello to tariffs, strict immigration enforcement and a call on any U.S. loans to Mexico City. Mexico will fold like a house of cards.
Joe Murray can be reached at jmurray@thebulletin.us. |
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