Conviction in Deadly Weapon Case Involving Use of a Machete
Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks Announces Verdict in Deadly Weapon Case
Media Release
For Immediate Release
www.washoecounty.us/da
Contact: Michelle Bays
mbays@da.washoecounty.us
775.321.4304 (o); 775.771.6049 (c)
May 5, 2017
Reno, Nevada
The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office has secured a guilty verdict in a felony attempted murder case that involved the use of a machete. The defendant was convicted at trial of having used a machete to hack his male roommate multiple times during a December, 2016 domestic dispute. As a result of the attack, the victim sustained deep wounds to his head, face and arms that caused severe bleeding. Sentencing will take place in June and the defendant faces up to 75 years in prison.
Celestin Glenn Tappin,45 (7/13/71), from Reno was found guilty last Thursday on one count of Battery with the Use of a Deadly Weapon Resulting in Substantial Bodily Harm, one count of Mayhem with the Use of a Deadly Weapon and one count of Attempted Murder with the Use of a Deadly Weapon.
On December 22, 2016 the Reno Police Department responded to a report of a domestic dispute in the area of Stewart Street in Reno. Once there, they met with Tappin and his parents who reported that Tappin had appeared at their house intoxicated, talking about a murder at his Thoma Street home. Additional officers responded to the Thoma street address and located Tappin’s 51 year old male roommate, who was bleeding severely from numerous lacerations. The victim was transported to the hospital where he was admitted to the intensive care unit. Based on their investigation, responding officers were able to determine that Tappin and the victim were in their home when they got into an argument and Tappin attacked. Tappin was arrested a short time later and this office filed criminal charges against him.
At trial, Deputy District Attorney Travis Lucia provided the jury with forensic evidence showing that the Defendant’s DNA was on the handle of a machete located near the victim’s body. Similar testing revealed that the victim’s DNA was on the blade of the weapon, which caused his severe injuries.