Court Watching: James Chapman released from jail, arrested again by VBT PD

James Forrest Chapman, 55, of Van Buren Township who was jailed for 183 days on a trespassing violation in Van Buren Township and violation of 34th District Court Judge David Parrott’s order, was released from the Clare County jail in Harrison, MI, Aug. 16 after getting time off for good behavior.
He was taken into custody on March 17 to serve his 183 days.
VBT Police drove up to Clare County the day he was to be freed and arrested him again, this time on a felony charge of aggravated stalking. That crime was dated March 10 and the warrant was authorized Aug. 12.
He now is in the Wayne County Jail, where he was booked on Aug. 17 and is being held on $25,000 cash bond. His probable cause hearing was set for Aug. 26 at 34th District Court in Romulus and may be done by video conference. His preliminary exam is scheduled for Sept. 2.
The Wayne County Third Circuit Court web site labeled Chapman as a habitual offender. He also is charged with a second offence for refusing to give a sample for DNA profiling. That bond is $1,000/10%.
Under state statute 750411i someone found guilty of aggravated stalking could get a penalty of up to five years and/or a $10,000 fine.
Meanwhile, Chapman’s attorney John Day has filed an appeal of Chapman’s jury conviction for trespassing, alleging a conspiracy by VBT police. Circuit Judge Strong will hear the appeal.