Wayne Chapman. (Suffolk Superior Court)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- A local attorney is speaking out about her fight to keep convicted serial child rapist Wayne Chapman from being set free.
Two state-contracted examiners recently recommended Chapman be released from a mental hospital where he's spent the last 11 years. Before he was moved to that hospital, he spent three decades in prison for raping young boys in the 60s and 70s.
The examiners said that, at 70 years old, Chapman is no longer a danger.
Attorney Wendy Murphy represents four of Chapman's victims. She is appealing the decision, saying the examiners' investigations were inadequate. She said the examiners redacted too much information in their reports--and as a result, those reports don't paint an accurate picture of the danger Chapman presents.
"The redactions cover mental health issues," she told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Sheri Small. "We're talking about a man who was declared sexually dangerous because of a mental health disorder. The public has to see whether he's been tuned up."
Aunt Of Missing Boy Decries Release Of Serial Rapist Suspect
Chapman's impending release has been met with public outcry--including from the aunt of a Lawrence boy Chapman is suspected of having killed in the 60s. Meanwhile, Chapman's release has been put on hold, with his attorney saying that he won't be let out until he has a place to live.
Murphy noted that both the Department of Corrections and Gov. Charlie Baker have weighed in saying that Chapman is too dangerous to be released. She claims the examiners hid information about his mental health in order to reach their conclusion.
"How is it possible that these two experts determined after meeting with the guy for one hour each that he suddenly should be free to go?" she said.
Superior Court Judge Mark Gildea has ordered the reports to be re-released with fewer redactions.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Sheri Small reports