Abstract
Christopher Tapp was wrongfully convicted for the murder and rape of 18-year-old Angie Dodge and the use of a deadly weapon in Idaho. This took place in 1996. This highlights the damages and dangers of coerced confessions and failures within the criminal justice system. Tapp was convicted even though there was no physical evidence linking him to the crime. He was sentenced to 30 years to life because of a confession extracted by the police’s interrogation and a false witness statement. The DNA at the scene did not match Chris but he was still imprisoned for 20 years. In 2019, new DNA evidence found from genetic genealogy helped identify the real perpetrator, Brian Leigh Dripps Sr. who later confessed. This led to Tapp's full exoneration. This case shows the need for proper forensic use, better interrogation reforms, and more help against wrongful convictions. The Idaho Innocence Project worked hard to help Tapp get justice. This case has been cited in criminal justice reform efforts by emphasizing the need for evidence-based prosecution.
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Steele
Department/Program
Criminal Justice
Submission Type
in-person poster
Date
4-1-2025
Rights
Copyright the Author(s)
Recommended Citation
Schoenberger, Haley
(2025)
"Christopher Tapp,"
SACAD: Scholarly Activities: Vol. 2025, Article 29.
Available at:
https://scholars.fhsu.edu/sacad/vol2025/iss2025/29
Included in
Criminal Law Commons, Criminal Procedure Commons, Law and Politics Commons, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Commons
