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Bounty hunter’s charge dropped
By R. SCOTT RAPPOLD THE GAZETTE
The 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office has dropped an assault charge against a television bounty hunter after a tape proved he did not start a fight outside a Colorado Springs motel in June.
Leland Chapman, the son of television bounty hunter Duane “Dog” Chapman, was cited on suspicion of third-degree assault June 10 after a scuffle with Roy Barnes, owner of the Aztec Motel on East Platte Avenue.
The program, “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” which airs on cable channel A&E, chronicles the family’s hunt for fugitives.
The bounty hunters had been asked by local bail bondsman Bobby Brown to help capture a fugitive believed to be living at the Aztec Motel.
A fight broke out as they arrived at the motel, with Barnes and the Chapmans saying the other started the brawl.
According to a Colorado Springs police report, the cameras were rolling, but the crew refused to show police a tape of the fight, citing laws that shield them from having to turn over tapes to authorities.
Barnes, who had several cuts on his face and head, swelling under his right eye and fractured ribs, twice changed his mind about filing charges. He eventually told police he wanted to press charges to file a civil suit, and Leland Chapman was cited based on his account.
Last week, an attorney from the film company, New Yorkbased Hybrid Films, brought a copy of the tape to Colorado Springs to show prosecutors.
Elizabeth Kirkman, chief deputy district attorney, said the tape clearly showed Barnes was the “initial aggressor” and Leland Chapman acted in appropriate self-defense.
Prosecutors filed a motion Tuesday to drop the charge, which was approved by a judge Wednesday.
“I’m so pleased,” Duane Chapman said Wednesday. “The wheels of justice grind slowly, but if you hang in there and you’re innocent, it’ll be proven.”
Beth Smith, his partner who describes herself as the stepmother of Leland Chapman, said the night of the fight, they did not have the authority to tell the film crew to show police the tape.
Plus, she preferred to have a prosecutor view the tape and decide on charges, rather than a police officer.
Barnes said Wednesday he dis- agrees with the decision to drop the charges. He contends the Chapmans started the fight and harassed the residents of his motel.
“Those people came onto my property like they just got pumped for a football game and they started calling my tenants names,” Barnes said.
He said he’s still considering a civil suit.
Harry Whaley, the fugitive they were looking for at the Aztec Motel, was spotted and chased by police two days later. Duane Chapman caught him hiding in bushes after police lost him.
Chapman said he plans to return to Colorado Springs this fall to film another episode.
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Lance Allen Wilkinson
Recoveries by L.A.W.
Serving since 1984
“What is sought is found... what is overlooked escapes” (Oedipus Rex)
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