Chris Tapp makes Facebook post thanking community for support; scheduled back in court

Weeks after being released from prison Christopher Tapp is expressing his thanks to the community in a Facebook post.

“I would like to say “thank you” for the support and the many well wishes you guys have put out there for me,” Tapp wrote in the post on the Justice for Christopher Tapp page. “Know that this is overwhelming for me but I promise that I will not let any of you down. I hope that these words help all of us continue to believe that things will be alright and now it will only get better for all of us, and for me,” the post continued.

Tapp was released from prison after serving 20 years for the rape and murder of Angie Dodge. Tapp was convicted in 1997. A judge released Tapp after vacating his rape conviction and resentencing him to time served. Tapp’s attorney John Thomas, along with the Idaho Innocence Project, Judges for Justice, and the victim’s mother Carol Dodge have fought for roughly 10 years for Tapp’s release.

Immediately following his release from prison, Tapp purchased a cellphone. According to the Justice for Christopher Tapp page, Tapp is working at a family owned Idaho Falls business with plans to move to Tennessee.

“He is also going to Tennessee to see the daughter’s of Lori Hollandsworth,” the page reports. “He and Lori were married while he was in prison and he became very close to her daughters. Lori was tragically killed in a car wreck January 2016 and they are now being raised their grandparents.”

Chris is required to pay a monetary fine to the victim’s compensation fund as part of his conviction. According to prosecutor Danny Clark, Tapp has been set up on a payment plan. He is scheduled to be in court on July 12 to prove adherence to the plan, according to Clark. If he meets the requirements of that plan, he will not have to appear in court.

“Please continue [to] send good wishes and vibes my way,” Tapp wrote, wrapping up with the post on the Facebook page.