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Ex-Congressional candidate Daniel Rodimer turns himself in, released on $200K bond
Former professional wrestler and congressional candidate Daniel Rodimer turned himself over to Las Vegas police Wednesday evening after an arrest warrant was filed in court this week for a charge of open murder.
According to court records, a $200,000 bail was set, and shortly after he posted bond. Rodimer was originally due back in court Thursday morning, though records indicate the hearing was canceled and he is now expected in court on April 10.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said in a statement that Rodimer was wanted in connection with the death of 47-year-old Christopher Tapp.
LVMPD said back in January that Tapp was found suffering injuries purportedly from an accident at Resorts World Las Vegas on Oct. 29. He later died at Sunrise Hospital on Nov. 5.
Detectives learned Tapp was involved in a fight inside a hotel room, LVMPD said in a statement. The Clark County Coroner's office ruled his death a homicide in January, saying the cause was blunt force trauma to the head.
A criminal complaint filed by the Clark County District Attorney's office alleges Rodimer killed Tapp by striking him "on the head, the said killing having been willful, deliberate and premeditated."
No other details on the investigation were disclosed.
An autopsy report News 3 obtained said Tapp's death was initially suspected to be an "apparent overdose" and "fall." The Clark County Coroner's Office later determined Tapp's death was a homicide and the cause was blunt force trauma to the head. The report said radiology found "multiple brain bleeds." Tapp's autopsy also reported recent cocaine use.
Tapp was wrongfully convicted of a 1996 murder in Idaho. He served 20 years in prison until he was exonerated by DNA evidence, which implicated another suspect.
He told NBC News' "Dateline" in September that he wanted to become an advocate for providing fair compensation to others who have been wrongfully convicted.
Rodimer was a professional wrestler who competed in different circuits, including under the ring name Dan Rodman. He unsuccessfully ran as a Republican for Nevada's third congressional district in 2020 and a Texas congressional seat in 2021.
He had three prior arrests in Florida on suspicion of assault but no convictions. In 2018, Las Vegas police responded after Rodimer's now-wife called 911 twice alleging domestic violence and that he stole guns and jewelry. Rodimer was not arrested or detained in either incident.