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Man charged with murder wants 'MURDER" tattoo removed from neck before trial Man charged with murder wants 'MURDER" tattoo removed from neck before trial
(36 minutes later)
A man with the word “MURDER” inked into the skin of his neckhas asked the court where he is to be tried next week whether he can have the tattooremoved before his trial begins. A man with the word “MURDER” inked into the skin of his neck has asked the court where he is to be tried next week whether he can have the tattoo removed before his trial begins.
Jeffrey Wade- Chapman who has been charged with the first degree murder of Damon Galyardt, says the tattoo might prejudice the jury and influence their final judgement. Jeffrey Wade-Chapman, who has been charged with the first-degree murder of Damon Galyardt, says the tattoo might prejudice the jury and influence their final judgment.
Prosecutors say that Chapman, who has MURDER tattooed backwards across his neck, can cover up the tattoo with something compliant with trial policy. However, Prosecutors say that Chapman can cover up the tattoo with something compliant with trial policy.
However, Chapman’s lawyers say that this is not possible and have asked the jail in which Chapman is currently placed if they will allow a professional tattoo artist to remove the tattoo for him. However, Chapman’s lawyers say that this is not possible and have asked the Kansas State Jail, where Chapman is currently placed, if they will allow a professional tattoo artist to remove the tattoo for him before he appears in Barton County District Court next week.
Under Kansas law, tattoo artists are only allowed to carry out ink work in licenced facilities and this rules out an artist coming to the prison. Under Kansas law, tattoo artists are only allowed to carry out ink work in licenced facilities, ruling out any work being done on the prison premises.
Barton County Police have already stated that they would not be willing to transport Chapman to a licenced studio.Barton County Police have already stated that they would not be willing to transport Chapman to a licenced studio.
“The fact that he has 'murder' tattooed across his neck is irrelevant to the State's case and extremely prejudicial to Mr Chapman if introduced at trial or observed by the jury." “The fact that he has 'murder' tattooed across his neck is irrelevant to the State's case and extremely prejudicial to Mr Chapman if introduced at trial or observed by the jury, "said Chapman's defence attorney Kurt Kerns.
“Mr Chapman asks for the court to exclude any mention of his tattoos at trial and further to be allowed to cover them up in an appropriate manner"  “Mr Chapman asks for the court to exclude any mention of his tattoos at trial and further to be allowed to cover them up in an appropriate manner"
It is not the only tattoo that Chapman has. Inked beneath his right eye he has a black teardrop.  It is not the only tattoo that Chapman has. Inked beneath his right eye he has a black teardrop.
It is not known the background of Chapman’s tattoos or why he decided to get them done in the first place.It is not known the background of Chapman’s tattoos or why he decided to get them done in the first place.
Chapman has been charged with the shooting of Damon Galyardt who was found dead in a roadside ditch in November 2011.Chapman has been charged with the shooting of Damon Galyardt who was found dead in a roadside ditch in November 2011.