TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has shut down any prospect of meeting with the former star of “Dog the Bounty Hunter” over the state’s bail reform.

Christie said Tuesday that he would sooner meet with the reporter who asked about the bounty hunter than Duane “Dog” Chapman himself.

Chapman was in Trenton Monday, meeting with lawmakers to discuss bail reforms that went into effect this year.

Christie supports the state’s new system in which courts rate defendants to determine security risks and, in most cases, rely on pretrial release.

Chapman is opposed. He argued on a radio program Tuesday that there’s a constitutional right to bail.

Chapman tells The Associated Press that he never asked or wanted to meet with Christie. His wife, Beth Chapman, says the state’s new system was “not well thought out.”

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join our Newsletter for the latest news right to your inbox