Chattanooga man who fled murder trial found under mattress
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — Police have located a man who fled two weeks ago during his murder trial in Chattanooga.
Authorities found 22-year-old Christopher Padgett inside a Brainerd home early Friday morning. He had been on the run since cutting off his ankle monitor the day before he was sentenced to life in prison for the 2012 slaying of a taxi driver.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press (bit.ly/2dJFRwh) reports police found Padgett hiding under a mattress.
Earlier this month, after waiting more than four years to try the case, prosecutors said cellphone records proved Padgett shot 31-year-old Nathan Deere in the back of the head and robbed him.
Another man, 21-year-old Javonte Wynn, who was in the house where Padgett was found, was charged on outstanding warrants for evading arrest and a firearms violation.
___
Information from: Chattanooga Times Free Press, http://www.timesfreepress.com