BOSTON (AP) — A convicted child rapist in his 70s has been found not guilty of exposing himself to prison staff, paving the way for his release.
Wayne Chapman was convicted in 1977 of luring young boys into the woods in the Lawrence area by pretending he was searching for his missing dog and then sexually assaulting them.
A court found Chapman had at least 50 victims. Chapman said he raped up to 100 children.
Earlier this year, the state's highest court ruled Chapman could no longer remain civilly committed based on the state's sexually dangerous person law after two mental health professionals ruled he is not sexually dangerous.
In June, Chapman was arrested on indecent exposure and lewd acts charges after allegedly masturbating in front of prison staff and nurses.
He was found not guilty Friday.
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