Inmate seeks transfer
David H. Chapman, a state inmate in Frackville who was orally raped by a guard, wants to be transferred to federal custody.
“I truly fear for my life,” Chapman wrote to U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson. “Only a court order can relieve me of this abuse and harassment by state prison officials.”
Chapman alleges retaliation by prison officials after he pressed charges against prison guard Marlin E. Freeman, who repeatedly orally raped Chapman from 2010-12.
Last month, Centre County Common Pleas Judge Pamela A. Ruest sentenced Freeman to 11-1/2 to 23-1/2 months in the Centre County Correctional Facility.
On June 19, Carlson denied Chapman’s request to be transferred to federal custody.
But Carlson said he would revisit the issue if Freeman’s attorney, Barry H. Dyller, files a formal motion seeking Chapman’s transfer.
Dyller couldn’t be reached for comment.
Department of Corrections spokesperson Susan McNaughton had no comment.
Nizah committee to meet
A newly formed committee that seeks justice in the Nizah Morris case will meet at 7 p.m. July 29 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.
The Justice for Nizah (J4N) Committee is pressing for a federal probe of her death.
Morris was a transgender woman found with blunt-force trauma to her head after receiving a “courtesy ride” from police in 2002. Her homicide remains unsolved.
In April, the city’s Police Advisory Commission asked for a federal probe into the Morris case, citing an “appalling” investigation by local authorities.
J4N Committee member Rich Wilson said the meeting is open to the public.
“It’s important to keep the ball rolling to find justice for Nizah and draw attention to the ongoing abuse that transgender people and others endure at the hands of police.”
— Tim Cwiek