murder tattoo
Jeffrey Chapman is worried his 'murder' neck tattoo will go against him during the trial

A murder suspect who has the word "murder" tattooed on his neck is hoping to have the tattoo removed as he fears it will prejudice him in front of a jury.

Jeffrey Chapman is accused of murdering Damon Gailart in 2011 in Kansas and is worried that the tattoo would have a negative impact at the trial.

Prosecutors said they were not opposed to Chapman removing or covering his tattoo, but Barton County police department said they would not transport the suspect to a tattoo parlour for the removal process.

Under Kansas law, tattoo artists are only allowed to practise in licensed facilities, which also rules out a professional coming to visit Chapman in jail where he is currently held in custody.

"Mr. Chapman's tattoos are not relevant to any material facts and 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," court documents said. "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."

State prosecutors said Chapman could simply cover the tattoo with "clothing, a bandage or other means compliant with jail policy".

Gailart's body was found by a roadside ditch in November 2011.

Related