Trial begins for convicted child molester accused of exposing himself in prison

Editor's Note: The details in this story may be difficult or disturbing for some readers. 

It was a disturbing first day of testimony in the trial of Wayne Chapman, the admitted serial child molester now accused of exposing himself to staff at MCI-Shirley.

Chapman's case is a long and complicated one Boston 25 News has been following for years.

The Supreme Judicial Court has already ruled that Chapman must be released on his child rape conviction, but this trial is about an incident that took place last summer at MCI-Shirley. On Monday, the jury saw video of the alleged crime.

In court, Chapman appeared in a wheelchair, was mostly hunched over and occasionally talked to his lawyers.

Prosecutors say on June 3, 2018, Chapman exposed himself to staff and the following day, pleasured himself under his adult diaper. Both incidents, prosecutors say, were done in clear view of nurses and staff, but Chapman's lawyer is urging the jury to keep an open mind.

"They will describe for you, what started as a regular day at work, where this defendant became undressed in their presence for a routine purpose morphed into an intentional criminal act. When this defendant simply refused to cover his penis over the course of multiple hours," the assistant district attorney said.

The defense attorney argued back, "Mr. Chapman was a 70-year-old man, suffering from chronic itching and Parkinson's disease. He was not intentionally exposing himself he was not masturbating on purpose for others to see."

Monday afternoon, the jury was shown clear surveillance video of both incidents.

The DA's first witness was a staffer who saw both incidents. She told the jury she was disgusted and angry by what she said and that she felt violated.

The trial will resume on Tuesday morning.

Boston 25 News reporter Bob Ward was in court for the start of the trial. Follow him on Twitter for updates as the trial continues. 

Cox Media Group