LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A judge has denied former Nevada congressman Daniel Rodimer’s motion to dismiss his murder indictment in the 2023 death of Christopher Tapp at Resorts World Las Vegas.
The ruling rejected two separate motions filed by the defense: one challenging the validity of search warrant affidavits and one seeking to suppress evidence obtained through wiretaps and text messages.
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Rodimer’s defense argued that misleading statements were included in a search warrant affidavit presented to the grand jury, specifically regarding the coroner’s initial findings that Tapp’s death was “not suspicious” being later changed to imply homicide.
Judge Tierra Jones denied that motion, stating that Rodimer and his attorneys failed to prove that any false statement was knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly included in the warrant affidavit.
Additionally, the court found that the coroner’s report noted that its initial findings were preliminary and subject to change with further investigation, but still included multiple competing theories of how Tapp was fatally injured.
Judge Jones also denied Rodimer’s second motion, which sought dismissal or suppression of evidence related to incriminating texts from Rodimer’s wife on the grounds that marital communications privileges were violated.
The court found that text messages obtained on Oct. 30, 2023, were secured through a valid warrant supported by probable cause, and that a conversation captured on Jan. 2, 2024, was obtained through an authorized wiretap. The court said the portions captured relate to the murder and witness accounts.
Rodimer’s attorney, David Chesnoff, told Judge Jones that he planned to file an additional motion regarding evidence.
Rodimer’s trial is currently set to begin on February 1, 2027.
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