Daniel Rodimer, former WWE wrestler and congressional candidate, has hit a major legal roadblock.
The Court of Appeals of the State of Nevada has denied his petition to dismiss the 2023 murder charge he faces in the death of Christopher Tapp. This ruling came in April, rejecting Rodimers appeal and pushing the case forward.
Rodimer is charged with the murder of 47-year-old Christopher Tapp, who was allegedly killed after a confrontation at a party at Resorts World Las Vegas. The incident reportedly unfolded after Rodimer believed Tapp had offered his stepdaughter cocaine. The altercation, which authorities claim involved Rodimer fatally punching and choking Tapp, left the Las Vegas community shaken. Despite the charges, Rodimer has pleaded not guilty to the crime, with his defense focusing on claims of inadmissible evidence.
Rodimers attorneys argue that the grand jurys case was tainted by inadmissible hearsay, specifically involving testimony about a witness who claimed Rodimers wife instructed them not to speak to the police. Additionally, they raised concerns over a police detective who allegedly gave an opinion on Rodimers guilt during the grand jury proceedings. However, the appeals court ruled that the witness testimony did not qualify as hearsay, and the detectives testimony was focused on the investigation rather than Rodimers guilt.
The court also determined that the prosecutors were not obligated to reveal the witnesss drug history, further affirming the legitimacy of the grand jury process.
The events surrounding Tapps death took place on October 29, 2023, with Tapp initially believed to have sustained injuries from a fall. However, investigations later revealed that Tapp had been involved in an argument with Rodimer before the injury occurred. Tapp was taken to the hospital but tragically passed away days later.
Rodimers history includes a brief stint in WWEs developmental division and an appearance on the reality show Tough Enough. However, his involvement in this high-profile case has overshadowed his previous wrestling career.
As the case continues, Rodimers defense team plans to keep challenging the charges. Legal experts suggest the outcome of this case will be significant for both Rodimer and the wrestling community.
Ringside News will continue to keep you updated as more information becomes available.
