The University Record, June 25, 1996
POLICE BEAT
By Rebecca A. Doyle
Man convicted
of 1994 murder
James M. Chapman will face sentencing June 27 (Thurs.) following his conviction June 3 of second degree murder and first degree child abuse in the 1994 beating death of a two-year-old boy in a North Campus Family Housing unit.
The jury trial in 22nd Circuit Court began May 13 and ended May 31 when the jury was sent home for the weekend. On their return June 3, they ended deliberations and declared Chapman guilty.
Chapman, who was babysitting for the boy and his twin, had called for help from a neighboring house in August 1994 and reported that the boy had fallen in the bathtub and was not breathing. Upon arrival at the North Campus Family Housing unit, Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers and emergency medical personnel were unable to revive the child. It was later determined that he died from multiple blows to the head.
Jailed woman apparently commits suicide
Crystal Lujan, a 24-year-old former student at the U-M, apparently hanged herself while awaiting trial on charges of murder and arson. She was found dead in her cell at the Washtenaw County Jail at approximately 8:30 p.m. June 15.
Lujan was being held on 16 felony counts following the beating death of Daniel P. Rice and the fires that destroyed his home and caused $10,000 in damage to a U-M residence hall. No trial date had been set.
DPS oversees 3-on-3
basketball tourney
DPS officers were assisted by county, city and state officials in overseeing a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for local youth in the parking lot at Crisler Arena. The community affair was held June 15 and 16. DPS Capt. James Smiley reports that 330 teams were registered this year and there were no problems at the successful event.
Gang-related graffiti still appears on campus
Smiley asks that anyone who sees graffiti on campus property notify DPS if they think it might be symbols used by area youth gangs. The symbols are used to mark gang territory, and U-M officers will have it removed as soon as possible after it is reported. In many instances, once an area is marked by the graffiti, fights break out if a rival gang crosses into that territory or challenges the markings. To report incidents of graffiti, call 763-1131.
