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titan.barksdale@newsobserver.com or (919) 829-4802
Charlotte Observer writers Marcie Young and David Ingram contributed to this report.
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FINDINGS THAT LED TO CHAPMAN'S RELEASE
* A lead investigator, Dennis Rhoney, lied in his testimony about Chapman's involvement.
* Rhoney withheld evidence from prosecutors that would have proved Chapman's innocence.
* Chapman's trial lawyers did not investigate the case thoroughly, overlooking key evidence that pointed to Chapman's innocence.
* A forensic pathologist's report strongly suggested one of the victims might have been a victim of a drug overdose instead of homicide.
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Chapman wants to reconnect with his family. Most of his relatives live in Hickory, but he said he doubts he will stay in the Western North Carolina town where his trouble began."I think it's time for me to move on," Chapman said.In neighboring Newton, Charles Ramseur, Betty Ramseur's brother, struggled to make sense of the situation."It's a terrible situation for everyone involved," Ramseur said. "If he didn't do it, there are people who are still going to believe that he did it, and I'm sure he's going to have problems with that. But you can't get closure when this happens."Ramseur said his sister was a drug addict who associated with criminals. Before her death, he said, he warned her about going to abandoned houses to use drugs.If Rhoney lied, Ramseur said, he should be fired."We don't need any liars for investigators," Ramseur said.Crucial omissionErvin, the judge, found that investigators never told prosecutors a witness identified someone other than Chapman as the person he saw before a June 1992 fire at the house where Ramseur's body was found. His ruling also said detectives never reported that witnesses said Conley was seen alive with someone who had a history of violence against her in the days after prosecutors said she died.Defense lawyers said the only physical evidence that tied Chapman to the deaths was the result of consensual sex with Conley.According to the Death Penalty Information Center, the nearly 14 years Chapman spent on death row was the longest stint of any North Carolina death row inmate released because of innocence.Gov. Mike Easley would have to sign a pardon for the state to pay Chapman. Though Chapman said he hasn't thought about trying to get state money, his attorneys said they would consider applying for a pardon."We'll do what we can," Goldsmith said. "Pardons are difficult. ... He was deeply wronged."On Wednesday, it was enough for Chapman to savor his sandwich.(Charlotte Observer writers Marcie Young and David Ingram contributed to this report.)
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