Victim speaks out against convicted child rapist's release

An appeal to keep a convicted child rapist behind bars was denied on Monday, and now one of the man's victims is speaking out.

Wayne Chapman has been fighting for his release for a long time after over 40 years in prison, and the decision on Monday seems to pave the way for his release.

Now, the victim, identified as a 54-year-old man named Steve, and an attorney for Chapman's victims are both determined to keep Chapman off the streets.

Steve spoke at a press conference Monday alongside attorney Wendy Murphy, and described the day he was raped by Chapman in the 1970's.

"That day I was introduced to fear, pain, anger, resentment, guilt, shame," the victim said. "Those aren’t feelings an 11-year-old boy should have to carry."

Chapman has confessed to victimizing up to 100 boys, and has long been a suspect in the disappearance of 10-year-old Andy Puglisi. Now 70-years-old, two qualified examiners have deemed him to no longer be sexually dangerous.

Steve fears that, even after the examiners' ruling, Chapman will reoffend.

"I was given a life sentence that day," Steve said. "I think the offender should be given the same."

Murphy appealed the decision to release Chapman, and was denied by a single justice. Now, she's appealing to the full Supreme Judicial Court.

"This is not a feeble guy in a wheelchair," Murphy said. "He’s strong, he’s smart. One of the qualified examiners said she could barely get him to form a sentence. The other said he was slick enough to say, ‘Ask my lawyer,’ when he got asked the tough questions. Who do you think is the true examiner in this story?"

Chapman's attorney said he wasn't surprised by the decision.

"I really think legally there was no basis for Attorney Murphy and her clients to intervene," the attorney said. "He has gone through a lawful review, and as soon as we find a place that can deal with his needs he will be released."

>>RELATED: Victims' appeal denied, child rapist Wayne Chapman set for release

Chapman's attorney is looking for a hospital or nursing home for him, while Murphy is asking for an emergency injunction blocking his release, and a review of the decision.

Gov. Charlie Baker also disagrees with the release, and is pledging to file legislation to increase penalties and improve court proceedings for sexually dangerous people.

Cox Media Group