TAPIA was charged with the offenses of Attempt to Commit Murder and Willful Injury. Attempt to Commit Murder is a class "B" felony punishable by up to 25 years imprisonment. Willful Injury is a class "C" felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment. TAPIA had already been in custody having been arrested on Monday, August 11, 2014, on unrelated drug trafficking offenses. He is being held on a $50,000 cash only bond for the drug offenses.
TAPIA will be held without bond on the new charges until an initial appearance on Thursday, August 14, 2014.
The criminal complaints allege that TAPIA struck the victim, Michael Newman, of the 400 block of Peachtree, with a baseball bat and caused serious injury. The criminal complaints further allege that TAPIA intended to cause the victim's death. Newman remains hospitalized due to injuries suffered in the incident.
The criminal charges against TAPIA are merely accusations and he is presumed to be innocent unless found guilty in a court proceeding.
TAPIA's mugshot:
