Suspended prison guard sentenced for sexual assaults
Marlin E. Freeman, a suspended Pennsylvania state-prison guard, will spend time behind bars after pleading no contest to sexually assaulting a male inmate.
Freeman, 54, repeatedly orally raped David H. Chapman Jr. inside the chapel of a state prison in Bellefonte from 2010-2012, according to court records.
Freeman threatened to take away Chapman’s janitorial job and/or have him placed in solitary confinement if he didn’t comply.
On June 6, Centre County Common Pleas Judge Pamela A. Ruest sentenced Freeman to 11-and-a-half months to 23-and-a-half months in the Centre County Correctional Facility.
Susan Bensinger, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, declined to comment on Freeman’s longterm employment status with the department but issued this statement: “The DOC takes all allegations seriously, and investigates claims of abuse. There are multiple avenues of reporting inmates can use. The Office of Special Investigation and Intelligence reviews the allegations and cooperates with outside agencies to investigate the claims. Anything of a criminal nature results in charges.”
Chapman has filed a federal lawsuit against Freeman and three state-prison nurses who allegedly failed to prevent Freeman’s sexual assaults.
Barry H. Dyller, an attorney for Chapman, said the case is in the discovery phase of litigation, and a jury trial has been requested.
“We’re seeking compensation for Mr. Chapman, and vindication of the right of inmates to not be exposed to sexual assaults by prison guards,” Dyller told PGN. “We’re also hoping the lawsuit will have the effect of prompting state-prison staff who have knowledge of assaultive behavior by guards to come forward and do whatever it takes to prevent future assault by guards.”
Harry P. McGrath, an attorney for Freeman, couldn’t be reached for comment.
Convicted gay basher gearing up for parole hearing
After spending almost 15 years in prison, convicted gay basher Herbert C.P. Haak 3d is preparing for a parole hearing next year that he hopes will result in his freedom.
In 2000, Haak was convicted of robbery and conspiracy for the Center City mugging of Christopher S. Beck, an openly gay man.
Haak filed multiple appeals of his convictions, but they were unsuccessful.
Now, Haak is hoping to be paroled in August 2014, when he’s eligible for his first parole hearing.
His co-conspirator, Richard Wise, was convicted of aggravated assault in the Beck incident, and paroled in 2010.
In a recent letter to PGN, Haak expressed a desire to be paroled next year, noting that he wants to spend time with his two granddaughters.
In 1997, Haak and Wise were acquitted of the murder of Kimberly Ernest, a Center City jogger whose body was found in a stairwell at 21st and Pine streets.
According to court records, Haak contended that local authorities retaliated against him due to his acquittal in Ernest’s murder by prosecuting him for Beck’s mugging.
He has consistently denied harboring any antigay animus.
Laura Treaster, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, said board members will begin preparing for Haak’s parole hearing in December.
Haak, 42, continues to serve his sentence at the state prison in Frackville.
Neighborhood group files brief in church dispute
The Callowhill Neighborhood Association has filed its opening brief in the appeal to preserve an old Catholic church that was formerly owned by the AIDS agency Siloam.
The old Church of the Assumption is located at 1123-33 Spring Garden St.
It was built in 1848, and has ties to two local saints, John Neumann and Katharine Drexel.
But almost 20 years ago it was closed by the Archdiocese due to a sharp decline in parishioners.
Siloam owned the church for about six years, prior to selling the dilapidated structure to developers John Wei and Mika He in July 2012, according to court records.
Wei and He claim the church is in danger of collapse, and they want to demolish it.
But the neighborhood association claims the church is a historic landmark and a stabilizing force in the community.
Siloam continues to operate in an old Catholic rectory adjacent to the church.
On May 16, the neighborhood association filed a 45-page brief in state Commonwealth Court, emphasizing the need to preserve the church.
Samuel C. Stretton, an attorney for CNA, couldn’t be reached for comment.
Wei and He had no comment at presstime.
— Tim Cwiek
Bookstore hosts potluck in honor of author
The LGBT and ally community is invited to join a potluck in dedication to Anita Cornwell, author of “Black Lesbian in White America.”
The potluck will take place from 1-5 p.m. June 22 at Dubois Books, 4515 Baltimore Ave.
Attendees will have the chance to eat, share memories and stories and sort materials for the Lesbian History Archives.
For more information and to RSVP, call 610-570-6151.
— Angela Thomas