Chapman’s lewdness trial goes to jury
The Wayne Chapman lewdness trial went into jury deliberations Thursday, after defense attorneys argued that the alleged victims — nurses and corrections officers who witnessed the acts — were responsible for the convicted child rapist’s exposure.
Chapman, 71, sat in a wheelchair in Middlesex Superior Court with his head hung as closing statements were read to the jury Thursday.
He’s charged with open and gross lewdness, and lewdness, wanton and lascivious conduct, after allegedly exposing and touching himself in separate incidents in front of prison hospital staff on June 3 and June 4, 2018.
Chapman’s defense attor- ney Melissa Devore argued that the blame was on the nurses and correctional officers who she said didn’t properly take care of their patient when they didn’t put his pants back on after changing his diaper, and because they didn’t assist him during the hour and a half he was uncovered.
“He didn’t expose himself on his own, he was left there by the people who were supposed to take care of him,” Devore said.
She also said Chapman’s Parkinson’s disease hindered his ability to do simple tasks and comply with staff demands.
“He never says ‘I won’t get dressed,’ his words were ‘I can’t, I would fall.’ It is evident he was struggling,” Devore said.
She also argued Chapman wasn’t touching himself on June 4 but was scratching himself. But she added, “even if he was masturbating, it’s not a crime to do so in the privacy of his own room.”
The prosecution argued Chapman was in control of his actions, despite his Parkinson’s diagnosis, saying he very deliberately ignored instructions from multiple staff members to cover up, and retaliated by continuing to expose himself.
“His diagnosis isn’t an excuse for intentional criminal acts,” said prosecutor Emily Jackson. “He looked like a person who made conscious and deliberate decisions when he wanted.”
“He said he couldn’t cover up, yet in the hour and a half, he never said one word to anyone about needing help.”
She argued that Chapman was able to grab blankets off the floor, spread them out on the bed and grab pillows to put behind his head. Jackson also argued Chapman was deliberate as he continued the alleged sexual acts the next day.
“He didn’t take any reasonable measure to privacy; he didn’t wait until lights out or turn away from the glass. Instead he chose the most visible spot at the busiest time at the Health Services Unit because he felt like it,” said Jackson.
The lewdness charges were brought against Chapman last year amid a controversy over his pending release from civil commitment, after two psychiatrists found he no longer posed a danger.
Chapman has been convicted of numerous counts of child rape, but completed his last prison sentence in 2004.