Chattanooga man flees murder trial, is sentenced anyway

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) – A 22-year-old Chattanooga man remains on the loose after he fled a trial that ended with him being sentenced to life in prison for the 2012 killing of a taxi driver in Chattanooga.

Authorities say Christopher Padgett cut his GPS ankle monitor earlier this week and fled from his mother’s home.

The Times Free Press reports (bit.ly/2d2qfQT) Padgett was sentenced on Friday in the slaying of driver Nathan Deere, who was shot in the back of the head.

Padgett’s GPS bracelet monitor broke at 1:43 a.m. on Thursday, triggering a manhunt with police and U.S. Marshals Service. Prosecutor Cameron Williams says he has never been involved in a trial with a defendant who disappeared.

Authorities hope to have him in custody by Dec. 15, when Padgett will be sentenced on an aggravated robbery conviction.

According to a release from the TBI, Padgett has been added to it’s Top Ten Most Wanted List.

A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest.