LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – The mother of Christopher Tapp, the man prosecutors said was beaten to death by former congressional candidate and ex-wrestler Dan Rodimer in 2023, spoke exclusively to 8 News Now Thursday.
Rodimer, who was charged with murder, appeared in court Thursday, appealing his grand jury indictment to the Nevada Supreme Court.
Dan Rodimer is accused of punching Christopher Tapp, 47, inside Resorts World on the Las Vegas Strip on Oct. 29, 2023, leading to Tapp’s death. Doctors pronounced Tapp dead at a Las Vegas hospital on Nov. 5, 2023.
The Clark County coroner’s office ruled Tapp’s death a homicide as a result of blunt force trauma to his head, documents said. A scan showed he suffered several brain bleeds.
“My son didn’t deserve what he got,” Vera Tapp said of her son, Christoper.
Tapp told 8 News Now she is still dealing with the sudden loss.

Christoper Tapp was exonerated in 2019 after serving 20 years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit. Vera Tapp told 8 News Now he died just four years after gaining his freedom.
“This is ridiculous,” she said. “This should have never happened.”
During Thursday’s court appearance, Rodimer’s attorneys cited several factors behind their motion to appeal the indictment, including their claim prosecutors showed a grand jury “illegal evidence” and failed to “properly instruct” the panel when it voted.
John Thomas, the Tapp Family’s attorney, also spoke with 8 News Now Thursday, describing the toll this latest development is taking.

“The delay is going to be tough for the family,” Thomas said. “We kind of went into this knowing there would be some delays, that there would not be some fast-track trial.”
However, Vera Tapp told 8 News Now no matter how long the process takes, she is committed to seeing it through to the end.
“I’m not going away,” Tapp said. “I’m going to continue coming and I am going to continue trying to get justice for my son.”
She said Christopher Tapp should still be here with her today; and she will always protect his memory.
“He was a human being, he was a kindhearted person,” she concluded. “All I want is for the justice system to show respect for Christopher.”
Vera Tapp filed a civil lawsuit in November against professional racecar driver John Odom, his company, Odom Racing; Resorts World Las Vegas, and Vegas Nights VIP.
The complaint claims Odom, who was reportedly attending the party where Christoper Tapp was hurt, failed to help Tapp or call for medical service despite knowing he was severely injured.
Currently, John Odom, Dan Rodimer’s wife Sarah Rodimer, and other partygoers are not facing criminal charges.