PUBLISHER'S NOTE: This Blog is interested in false confessions because of the disturbing number of exonerations in the USA, Canada and multiple other jurisdictions throughout the world, where, in the absence of incriminating forensic evidence the conviction is based on self-incrimination – and because of the growing body of scientific research showing how vulnerable suspects are to widely used interrogation methods such as the notorious ‘Reid Technique.’"
Harold Levy: Publisher: The Charles Smith Blog;
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QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Tapp was joined by Thomas and Peter Neufeld, the co-director of the Innocence Project in New York. Neufeld mentioned that this will be (the first) exoneration in the world made possible because of DNA gathered from genealogical research. Dodge was a victim in this unspeakable crime. But I don’t want anyone to lose sight of the fact that Chris Tapp is a victim also and has been a victim for 22 years and 6 months,” Neufeld said."
SECOND QUOTE OF THE DAY: "We believe that Mr. Tapp is innocent of this horrible crime, and there’s an expectation from everyone that there will be a resolution to this on July 17,” John Thomas, Tapp’s attorney, said in a court hearing Monday."
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STORY: "Chris Tapp expected to be exonerated in two weeks," by reporter Nate Eaton, published by The East Idaho News on July 1, 2019.
PHOTO CAPTION: "Tapp was released from prison in 2017 but he was not exonerated."
GIST: "In a hearing scheduled for Christopher Tapp later this month,
he is expected to be exonerated for a murder he did not commit more than
20 years ago. Tapp will appear before 7th District Judge Alan
Stephens on July 17 for a status conference, where Bonneville County
Prosecuting Attorney Daniel Clark could make a motion to have Tapp
exonerated for the rape and murder of Angie Dodge. “We believe
that Mr. Tapp is innocent of this horrible crime, and there’s an
expectation from everyone that there will be a resolution to this on
July 17,” John Thomas, Tapp’s attorney, said in a court hearing Monday. Tapp
was arrested in 1996 and has maintained that Idaho Falls Police
Department detectives coerced him into confessing to the crimes.
Numerous DNA samples left at the crime scene did not match Tapp’s, and
the man to whom the DNA belonged had not been identified until two
months ago. Brian
Dripps Sr. of Caldwell was arrested in May and charged with rape and
first-degree murder. His DNA was all over the crime scene and on Dodge’s
body, according to a probable cause statement. Court documents show
Dripps confessed to police that he acted alone in the crime. The
hearing Monday was meant for Stephens to be aware that the Bonneville
County Prosecutor’s Office is willing to provide unredacted information
on the Dripps case to Tapp’s legal team under a protective order. “If
there is a request for dissemination beyond Tapp’s legal team, we could
either stipulate to that or bring that issue back to the court,” Clark
said. Tapp was joined by Thomas and Peter Neufeld, the
co-director of the Innocence Project in New York. Neufeld mentioned that
this will be exoneration in the world made possible because of DNA
gathered from genealogical research. Dodge was a victim in this unspeakable crime.
But I don’t want anyone to lose sight of the fact that Chris Tapp is a
victim also and has been a victim for 22 years and 6 months,” Neufeld
said. Clark acknowledged that some may be impatient that a remedy
to Tapp’s conviction has not yet been reached, especially since Dripps
has confessed to the crime. But the prosecutor is waiting on the Idaho
Falls Police Department to conclude its portion of the Dripps
investigation before he can proceed. “If there was ever a case
that speaks to the proposition that when a defendant or suspect makes a
statement, the police ought to make an effort to verify or check the
veracity of those statements, the Angie Dodge case is certainly that,”
Clark said. Tapp declined to comment Monday but referred EastIdahoNews.com to a statement he released in May: “I
want to thank all those who fought with me for the truth, especially
the Dodge family. In respect for their mourning, I have no further
statement at this time. I hope the DNA match and confession brings them
some closure, and that Angie Dodge may finally rest in peace.” Thomas
invited the public to Tapp’s court hearing July 17 and “hopefully we’ll
have a great celebration.” He said the first thing his client plans to
do once exonerated is secure better employment. “He’s going to
look for a better paying job. Anybody who’s out there willing to hire
him, please do so,” Thomas said. “Call our office and we’ll get you
hooked up. He’s certainly somebody who is looking to get this murder
case behind him and get fully exonerated as he’s innocent.”
The entire story can be read at:
https://www.eastidahonews.com/2019/07/chris-tapp-expected-to-be-exonerated-in-two-weeks/
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith. Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at: http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com. Harold Levy: Publisher: The Charles Smith Blog;
The entire story can be read at:
https://www.eastidahonews.com/2019/07/chris-tapp-expected-to-be-exonerated-in-two-weeks/
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith. Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at: http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com. Harold Levy: Publisher: The Charles Smith Blog;
