Gov. Baker files legislation for tougher penalties for child rapists

BOSTON — In light of recent developments in the Wayne Chapman case, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker filed legislation on Wednesday to toughen penalties for child rapists.

Gov. Baker is asking lawmakers to act quickly and favorably on the bill, but one attorney believes legislation won't be passed in time to apply to Chapman's case.

"It dramatically expands penalties for serial child rapists to basically life without parole," said Baker.

Gov. Baker introduced the bill after two qualified examiners ruled the serial rapist to no longer be sexually dangerous and safe to be out of prison.

The bill calls for a "full court hearing on any predator up for release - not just before two independent psychologists." It also "increases the mandatory minimum penalty for rape of a child with force by a person previously convicted of sexual offenses to life without parole and establishes a new child predator offense for rapes of multiple children with force with a mandatory penalty of life without parole."

Chapman, 70, has served 30 years in federal prison for the rape of two Lawrence boys in the 70's and also confessed to victimizing up to 100 boys, where a court found Chapman had at least 50 victims.

He initially was convicted in 1977. He lured young boys into the woods by pretending he was searching for his missing dog and then sexually assaulted them, court records say.

"If the Governor really wants men like Wayne Chapman not to be released, he cannot just go to the legislature," said Wendy Murphy, former prosecutor and attorney for four of Chapman's victims.

Murphy fears it could take years to get a new law to pass, which is why she is filing a brief with the Supreme Judicial Court to clarify the court's decision from a 2009 case. The case in question gives qualified examiners way too much power to decide the fate of men like Wayne Chapman.

Both examiners in Chapman's case recommended his release.

Doctor Greg Belle wrote:

"Mr. Chapman absolutely cannot be in an environment with access to children, and he is likely exaggerating some of his physical and cognitive limitations."

Boston 25 News stopped by Dr. Belle's home to get his reaction, but no one answered.

"It's important to get this new process in place as quickly as possible so that if there is someone who is civilly committed, they will have to go through the new process and not the old one with respect to their ability to get released," said Gov. Baker.

Baker says there are about 55 days left in this legislative session and he hopes the bill gets passed before the session ends.

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