A former professional wrestler and former U.S. House candidate turned himself in to police in Nevada on Wednesday after a warrant was issued for his arrest in the murder of a man. acquitted of murder His lawyer said he died from head injuries at a Las Vegas Strip hotel last year.
On the same day, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department announced that an arrest warrant had been issued for Daniel Rodimer, 45, on suspicion of public murder. Chris Tapp –He previously served 20 years in prison for a murder he did not commit.
John Locher/Associated Press
Mr Tapp, 47, was found in a hotel room on October 29 and taken to hospital, where he was treated by medical personnel who responded to a call for help, but later died.
Rodimer's Las Vegas attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schoenfeld, said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press that Rodimer “has voluntarily surrendered to authorities and is free on court-ordered bail.” We plan to pay.''
“He intends to vigorously contest the allegations and asks that the presumption of innocence ensure respect for all Americans,” they said.
Police said detectives launched a suspicious death investigation after receiving new information on November 22 about injuries sustained by Tapp “as a result of an intentional accident.”
“During the suspicious death investigation, detectives learned that Mr. Tapp had been involved in an argument inside his room at the resort before he was found and taken to the hospital,” police said in a statement.
The Clark County Coroner's Office later ruled the death a homicide due to blunt force trauma to the head.
According to an arrest warrant obtained by CBS affiliate KLAS-TV, Rodimer became upset after Tapp provided cocaine to Rodimer's stepdaughter.
Witnesses then heard Rodimer say, “If you want to talk to my daughter again, I will.” [expletive] The document states: “Immediately after hearing Dan say to Christopher, [the witness] I heard two loud bangs. ”
KLAS-TV reported that investigators also obtained text messages between Rodimer and his wife, Sarah Rodimer, in which Sarah Rodimer said, “When I saw you about to kill someone, I… had to receive your message.'' [expletive] If you let go of his neck as he lay there, you run away and I spent the next two hours taking care of him. No one should watch their husband kill someone. ”
Tapp and Rodimer knew each other through classic cars and the racing circuit, the family's attorney told KLAS-TV.
Rodimer, a Republican, challenged Democratic Representative Susie Lee for Nevada's 3rd District seat in 2020, but lost by about 13,000 votes.
KLAS-TV reported that former President Donald Trump supported Rodimer before the 2020 election, saying, “Dan Rodimer would be a great senator for Nevada! , will fight for better education, more jobs. And he will.'' Always support our brave law enforcement. Dan has my full and complete support!”
Rodimer has since moved to Texas and is one of 23 candidates running in a 2021 special congressional election to fill the seat of Republican Ron Wright, who became the first member of Congress to die from COVID-19. He was one of the candidates. He finished in the middle of the pack with less than 3% of the vote.
Tapp served 20 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. According to the Innocence Project, Tapp was charged and convicted of raping and murdering an 18-year-old girl in 1996. Angie Dodge, despite being ruled out by DNA evidence. In 2019, Tapp's murder conviction was vacated.
“48 Hours” meets tap when he was 40 years old. Tapp told “48 Hours'' that his confession was a lie. The story was provided by police and then forcibly recorded on tape.
