LAS VEGAS — On Nov. 14, Christopher Tapp's legal team filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a Las Vegas resort in Clark County, NV. The lawsuit argues that if the defendants had taken reasonable precautions, Tapp would not have been attacked, and if they responded more quickly with medical aid, he might have survived.
Tapp is known for being released after spending 21 years in an Idaho prison for a crime he did not commit in 2017. He was exonerated on the rape and murder convictions; though, he had roughly six years to enjoy his rightfully owed freedom. Tapp died in Las Vegas from blunt force trauma on November 5, 2023, and his death lies at the heart of the newly filed wrongful death lawsuit.
The lawsuit claims that Tapp had attended a Halloween party on October 30, 2023, at the Resorts World Las Vegas resort hosted by John Odom and his race team, Odom Racing LLC. The lawsuit alleges that during the party, Daniel Rodimer, a former professional wrestler, allegedly threatened Tapp over an interaction with Rodimer's daughter, saying "If you ever talk to my daughter again, I'll f****** kill you." The lawsuit then claims Rodimer "brutally attacked" Tapp in the master bedroom at the Palace 1 Suite while John Odom was present.
The lawsuit alleges after the attack, Odom and Rodimer left the bedroom and Odom loudly told people not to call security. The lawsuit claims Tapp was left concussed in the room for a significant period and says when Resorts World security finally arrived, Odom claimed that Tapp had merely slipped and fallen. Resorts World security found Tapp conscious with bruising on the back of his head and his jaw.
The lawsuit alleges medical personnel didn't arrive until twenty to thirty minutes after security had arrived. Tapp was transported to Sunrise Hospital, where he remained until his death on November 5, 2023, from what was reported as "Blunt Head Trauma."
The plaintiffs are pursuing several legal claims, including negligence, negligent hiring and supervision, negligent security, and wrongful death. They specifically list Resorts World Las Vegas LLC, Vegas Nights VIP LLC, John Odom and Odom Racing LLC as defendants in the case. They argue that the defendants failed to provide adequate security, didn't take reasonable precautions to protect guests, and failed to render timely medical aid after the attack. The legal action seeks general damages and special damages as well as attorney fees and court costs.