‘Dog,’ the bounty hunter, joins legal fight against N.J. bail changes

 Duane

Duane "Dog" Chapman joins the family of Christian Rodgers and their lawyers Monday as they announce a wrongful death lawsuit that claims New Jersey's new bail overhaul is to blame for Rodgers' shooting death in April in Trenton, N.J. Chapman, the former star of the "Dog the Bounty Hunter" television show, has been an outspoken critic of the changes, which proponents say are meant to keep defendants from being stuck in jail mainly because they can't afford bail. Defendants named in the suit include Gov. Chris Christie, who has championed the changes, and state Attorney General Christopher Porrino. (AP Photo/Bruce Shipkowski)

The former star of “Dog the Bounty Hunter” is joining a legal effort to have New Jersey’s new bail rules thrown out.

Duane “Dog” Chapman spoke Monday during a news conference at the federal court building in Trenton, where lawyers announced a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of a man who was fatally shot in April.

The suit’s defendants include Gov. Chris Christie and state Attorney General Christopher Porrino.

It claims the alleged gunman wasn’t detained due to bail changes that went into effect this year and were championed by Christie.

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Proponents of the bail overhaul say it helps to keep defendants from being stuck in jail mainly because they can’t afford bail.

This is at least the second lawsuit from the bail industry trying to overturn the changes.

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