Locked away for more than 40 years, Wayne Chapman, who was convicted of raping two children and is suspected in the disappearance of a third, is now days from walking free.
His attorney argues the 70-year-old is too old and sick to reoffend, but plenty of people still have concerns, especially since Chapman will not have any parole or probation supervision once he gets out.
In 1977, Chapman was sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison for raping two young boys in Lawrence. After he served that sentence, the state had him civilly committed as a sexually dangerous person.
But a few months ago, two examiners contracted by the Department of Corrections deemed him no longer sexually dangerous, which means Chapman’s release is required by state law. There is no official avenue for appeal.
Last week, victims’ advocate and attorney Wendy Murphy filed a petition with the state’s Supreme Judicial Court, arguing against his release. She joined Jim Braude, along with Wayne Chapman’s attorney, Eric Tennen, to discuss.
