Leland Chapman
Leland Blane Chapman (born December 14, 1976 in Groom, Texas, U.S.) is a Hawaii based bail bondsman, bounty hunter, and the third son of Duane "Dog" Chapman. He is a reality television personality as seen on the television show, Dog The Bounty Hunter. The television series focuses on the lives of the Chapman family who are also bounty hunters.
History
As a young man, Leland did not see his father until he was eight years old. As a teenager, Leland was in a Denver, Colorado gang. Dog would regularly check to make sure that Leland attended school; this negatively affected Leland's social life, as no one wanted to "hang out" with him out of fear that Dog would spy on them. After a mugging incident involving a firearm, Leland had to choose between four years in a child detention center or stay with his father. He considers his father, his first son Dakota, and "the spirit of Hawaii" as the three major influences that made him go straight.
When he was 21, Leland started a Da Kine Bail Bonds branch in Kona, Hawaii.
Leland has a second son, Cobie, and now shares a close relationship with both of his parents, appearing often in his father's reality show Dog the Bounty Hunter. He divides his time between his bail bonds business and up to three years ago was competing in boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and Extreme Boxing. Due to injuries however, Leland Chapman now divides his time supporting the local competitions and working in the Honolulu office of Da Kine Bail Bonds.
Leland and his girlfriend of over a year, Jennifer Gray, of San Antonio, Texas, currently reside together on the island. Jennifer received a MAster of Veterinary Medicine and works at a local animal clinic.
On May 19 2006, his half-sister, Barbara Chapman, was killed in a car crash on the day of his father's wedding. [1]
Arrest
On September 14, 2006, Leland Chapman, along with his father Duane "Dog" Chapman and his "uncle" Tim Chapman, were arrested in Hawaii on 2003 Mexican charges concerning their involvement in the arrest of fugitive Andrew Luster. The charges were illegal detention and conspiracy in an alleged kidnapping in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco State, Mexico. They were held overnight in Federal custody and were released on September 15 2006 on bond pending extradition proceedings.[2] If extradited by the U.S. and convicted in Mexico, they face 6 months to four years in a Mexican jail.[citation needed]
On September 15, 2006, Leland Chapman and Tim Chapman were released on $100,000 bail, while Duane was released on a $300,000 bail[3]. Leland was ordered to house arrest, except when working; moreover, he must wear an electronic tracking device and was ordered to give up his passport.He has since been released from House Arrest.
On February 16, 2007, the second district court in Guadalajara denied a request for an injunction preventing extradition. The court ruled that Duane, Leland, and Tim should face trial on one count of "deprivation of liberty" in violation of the country's anti-bounty-hunting statutes. The Chapmans are looking into their legal options to prevent this.
Mexico is currently reviewing Dog's case to see if they do have grounds to extradite him on a misdemeanor. There have been multiple legal defense fund raising accounts set up for Duane, Leland, and Tim including one set up by Tanja "Doe," a victim of Andrew Luster.
March 7, 2007 Hawaii State Legislature calls emergency hearing to support Dog the Bounty Hunter trio and fight their extradition. Representative Gene Ward (Rep.Hawai,i Kai-Kalama Valley) introduced House Concurrent Resolution 50, requesting that the Hawaii State Legislature stand up and support the Chapmans, and ask the government and courts of Mexico to drop their extradition proceedings against them. Duane "Dog" Chapman committed to personally appear before the International Affairs Committee which is hearing the measure. Once Resolution 50 passes the committee, it will be referred to the House Judiciary Committee for a second hearing, and then is expected to move forward to passage.
Ward said he has been receiving testimony "from all over the world on this issue." Ward added, "It is not something the people of Hawaii and the nation are taking lightly; the Dog needs to be free from a Mexican jail."
Dog, his wife and partner Beth Chapman, Tim Chapman, Leland, and the rest of the Chapman family were in attendance.
All charges against the three bounty hunters have now been dropped as of 1st August 2007, but their lawyers are still waiting for a translation of the Spanish legal documents. Mexican authorities though still can appeal to press the charges. "Charges against A & E bounty hunting television stars Duane "Dog" Chapman, 53, Leland Chapman, 30, and Timothy Chapman, 41, were dropped by the Mexican Court in Puerto Vallarta," says Chapman spokesperson Mona Wood, "due to the statue of limitations running out." The order effectively cancelled all pending charges against the three bounty hunters. Mexico has filed an appeal which is automatic in these cases. Duane, his associate Tim and Leland are free on their own behavior with no bond until a court hearing in Hawaii in late October
The "Lelandism"
Leland is known for occasional off-the-wall remarks, known as "Lelandisms". A notable example: "Tombstones don't talk back."
References
- ^ Daughter of TV Bounty Hunter 'Dog' Dies
- ^ http://www.sacbee.com/114/story/24476.html
- ^ Lewis, Nick (April 16 2007), "Legal woes continue to dog bounty hunter", The Calgary Herald
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