A superior court in Guadalajara did not receive a "justification report" from a lower court in Puerto Vallarta resulting in a postponement — or "continuance" in legal jargon — of the case against Chapman in the Mexican Court system, according to Chapman's publicist Mona Wood.

The 53-year-old reality TV star stands accused under Mexican law with "deprivation of liberty" for his June 2003 capture of fugitive convicted rapist Andrew Luster, the Max Factor heir, in Puerto Vallarta.

His attorney, William Bollard, hoped to present arguments yesterday that he believed could resolve the Mexican charges against Chapman, who did not plan to attend the closed hearing.

Chapman was arrested in Hawaii Sept. 14 along with his son and another associate after Mexico initiated extradition proceedings against the trio. Chapman is free on $300,000 bail in connection with the extradition case. The possible extradition has outraged members of Congress and Chapman's fans, who consider him a hero for capturing a serial rapist and doing a job even the FBI couldn't do.

Chapman faces up to four years in a Mexican jail if convicted.

Luster was a federal fugitive who illegally entered Mexico using an alias, Chapman said.

Luster jumped a $1 million bond and disappeared during his trial in California's Ventura County on 86 charges that he drugged and raped three women. The disappearance set off a national and international manhunt by police, FBI and bounty hunters trying to recoup some of the bond money.

The great-grandson of cosmetics legend Max Factor was convicted in absentia and is now serving a 124-year sentence.

Chapman was never paid for Luster's capture, but it catapulted the Honolulu-based bounty hunter to fame and led to the reality series on A&E.

Chapman ran afoul of Mexican law for allegedly returning Luster to the U.S. without consulting with Mexican authorities.