This was sent to me last night from Clara Coto-Shepardson, Executive Producer of the
Curiosidades Show:
Franklin Barazarte, TV host who set magician Wayne Houchin on fire, is now officially a fugitive of the law.
SANTO
DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - December 5th, 2012 - At 10am (AST),
American magician Wayne Houchin held a press conference with his lawyers
at the Renaissance Jaragua Hotel in response to Franklin Barazarte
fleeing the Dominican Republic. While it's unclear how Mr. Barazarte
avoided capture with an active criminal warrant out for his arrest, he
managed to travel to New York city to be with his wife Adriana Azzi. As a
result of ignoring serious charges, he's now officially considered a
fugitive of Dominican law.
Houchin
and his lawyers have asked the United States to arrest and extradite
Barazarte to the Dominican Republic, to face prosecution for his crimes
as well as civil litigation. Houchin and his lawyers said Barazarte's
actions were completely unexpected, and consider it a criminal attack.
Last night, in
an exclusive interview with Univision (New York), Franklin Barazarte
surfaced from hiding to respond to allegations of attempted murder. He
referred to his act of pouring flaming liquid on someone as "a blessing"
which was something he'd done for a "long time in private." While he
casually admits it was an "accident gone wrong," Mr. Barazarte goes on
at length to explain how he feels hurt by all the "propaganda"
surrounding this case, and the insinuation that he's even considered a
criminal. Barazarte also discounts the gravity of Houchin's injuries by
mentioning that Houchin "left the clinic the same day."
Meanwhile, Houchin is still in the Dominican
Republic and recuperating slowly. Riddled with 1st and 2nd degree burns
on his head, face, ears, neck and right hand, he hopes to return home to
Chico, California soon.
An Iphone clip,
taken by a member of the group of magicians Houchin worked with has gone
viral on the Internet. It clearly shows Barazarte intentionally setting
the American magician ablaze. The later part of the clip shows Houchin
in shock on the ground, paralyzed with pain.
- - - -
Univision coverage of the 12.5.2012 Press Conference:
(cut and paste if not clickable)
