Utah man: Roommates tortured me with power tool, knives

A Magna, Utah, man says he suffered a weekend of torture at the hands of his six roommates.

Thomas Chapman, 41, was interviewed by several local Salt Lake City media outlets Tuesday about the alleged assault. His face bruised and his body pocked with raw wounds, Chapman told reporters he had been cut from head to toe with a knife and a power cutting tool, and said his lips, ears, and chest had all been stapled.

The torture began around 9 p.m. Saturday -- when one of the suspects accused Chapman of causing trouble in the neighborhood -- and lasted until about 4 p.m. Sunday, Chapman told KSL.com.

Chapman, who had just moved into the home outside Salt Lake City 10 days ago, denied the accusations. His roommates didn't believe him, and handcuffed him, he said.

"Next thing I know, I'm getting beat up with my laptop, keyboards, boards, sticks, having knives put in my throat, getting kicked in the ribs, getting kicked in the head, basically getting assaulted," Chapman said.

Chapman was struck repeatedly with blunt force objects, including a crutch, a keyboard, and a laptop, police told KSL. He also had the butt-end of a shotgun slammed into his head, police said.

"I was begging them ... just to kill me, so I didn't have to deal with it no more," he told KSL.

Finally, after hours of beatings, Chapman said he was told to leave the house wearing only underwear. Despite wanting retribution, he fled to a nearby relative's home, where he called police, he said.

Read full story, see Thomas Chapman interview on KSL.com

"I took the right route, I took the legal route," Chapman said. "I had no intention of calling the cops, I had no intention of calling anybody, I was just going to go solve the problem myself."

Top row: Brandon Haggard, Paula Jones, Tracy Jordan; bottom row: David Masters, Jennifer Moses, Lee Moses.

Greater Salt Lake Unified Police arrived to find Chapman still with handcuffs around one wrist. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition, where he was told he had broken bones in his face. He stayed in the hospital through Tuesday, according to KSL.

Meanwhile, police found a bucket of cleaning solution with some of the tools that had been used to torture Chapman in the basement of his new home, KSL said.

"One of suspects claims over the last several weeks different people have pulled a gun on him in the street," Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal told KSL. "They believe (Chapman) was responsible for it."

The suspects are Jennifer Moses, 30; Lee Carl Moses, 26; David Masters, 55; Paula Masters, 43; Brandon Haggard, 20; and Tracy Jordan, 45. They were all arrested.

"All night, they tortured him," Hoyal said.

Chapman was held in the basement of the home that he moved into recently after agreeing to remodel the bathroom in exchange for rent, KSL reported.

It is not clear how all the suspects know each other.

Jordan has spent time in Utah State Prison, court records say. He has a history of drug- and alcohol-related offenses, reported KSL.

Paula Masters, also known as Paula Jones, has a lengthy criminal rap sheet that includes convictions for forgery and theft by deception, the station reported.

All six roommates are being held in the Salt Lake County Jail on charges of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault and obstructing justice, reported Fox 13.

Lee Moses was the roommate who claimed Chapman had stirred up trouble, and he convinced the others of it, Chapman told Fox 13.

 “I would’ve never believed these people would’ve done this to me, never ever in the world,” he said.

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Baddog40Deleted

those look scary. put them in jail and torture them every week from 9 p.m. saturday until 4 p.m. sunday for the rest of their lives. ha ha ha.

  • 18 votes
Reply#3 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:31 AM EDT

I'd have to agree, let them get a bit of forced empathy for what they did to that poor man.

  • 5 votes
#3.1 - Wed May 23, 2012 12:23 PM EDT

6 suspects. Just sayin'!

  • 1 vote
#3.2 - Wed May 23, 2012 1:39 PM EDT

The suspects are Jennifer Moses, 30; Lee Carl Moses, 26; David Masters, 55; Paula Masters, 43; Brandon Haggard, 20; and Tracy Jordan, 45. They were all arrested.

How in the world did all of these people get to be roommates? That's really a wide age gap between 20 and 55.

  • 3 votes
#3.3 - Wed May 23, 2012 2:18 PM EDT

Wow. I wonder if Hollywood will make a movie about this?

  • 2 votes
#3.4 - Wed May 23, 2012 3:01 PM EDT

"Just a good-looking bunch of ...........uh.............uh...........give me a second, I"m trying to think of something nice.........................uh.....................uh............forget it."

  • 5 votes
#3.5 - Wed May 23, 2012 3:37 PM EDT

Geeeeeeeeeez...... are people getting worse or was this kind of stuff covered up in the past? I hope these six are locked up and never allowed out on the streets again! I'm sure one or two will gladly turn state witness against the others, but seeing as how the man lived I hope that isn't allowed.

  • 5 votes
#3.6 - Wed May 23, 2012 4:45 PM EDT

why only those hours? these bums deserve it 24/7

  • 1 vote
#3.7 - Wed May 23, 2012 5:55 PM EDT

Well... They look like a bunch on winners. The pig in purple almost has the big ol bug eyes of a little chihuahua.

  • 1 vote
#3.8 - Wed May 23, 2012 6:58 PM EDT

Meth and / or Crack have no Age Boundaries, everyone in the circle has the mentality of a gnat. Although most gnat's are a bit better lookin......and a hell of a lot cleaner...

  • 3 votes
#3.9 - Wed May 23, 2012 7:38 PM EDT

Hope these six didn't specialize in baby sitting

    #3.10 - Wed May 23, 2012 9:19 PM EDT

    Dave-2443627

    - they don't even remotely resemble any Christians I've ever seen.

    I think you are the type to use any slim opportunity to trash Christians.

    • 2 votes
    #3.11 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:30 PM EDT

    It's Utah. I have to say after Texas this would be the last state I would visit. What do you call these people since they are not in the south??? lol. I guess that makes the "south" argument mute. There are nuts in every part of the country. To call these people "Christians" is an oxymoron and just shows your ignorance that you do not even know what the word means.

    • 1 vote
    #3.12 - Thu May 24, 2012 4:37 AM EDT

    How in the world did all of these people get to be roommates? That's really a wide age gap between 20 and 55.

    Good question, but they do all look like meth- and crackheads. Mine would be : What possessed this man to want to live with these people to begin with? They don't exactly look honest and trustworthy... or safe.

      #3.13 - Thu May 24, 2012 5:34 PM EDT

      1, 2 deleted,one-line extrapolation trolling Mormons by the curmudgeon and Baddog40. Useless.

      You're suspended for a day for violating #5 of the Code of Honor.

      • 1 vote
      #3.14 - Thu May 24, 2012 6:23 PM EDT
      Reply

      The dregs of society. What do you do with a group like that? I've got some suggestions but if I give them everyone will know I'm a sick bastard. But at least my sick bastard ways will be directed to those deserving.

      • 20 votes
      Reply#4 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:33 AM EDT
      Comment author avatarclyde havardExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

      (The dreggs of society. What do you do with agroup like that?

      You form another break off sect of the Mormon Church!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      • 21 votes
      #4.1 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:50 AM EDT
      Comment author avatarAreYouBuyingThis?Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

      clyde...EXCELLENT comment!!!

      • 4 votes
      #4.2 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:17 AM EDT

      You're killing me Clyde...

      • 2 votes
      #4.3 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:48 AM EDT

      Maybe they go to Harry Reid's Mormon church!

      • 3 votes
      #4.4 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:53 AM EDT

      This isn't about Mormons. It's about good old half-crazed desperado white trash. One look at that bunch, and poor Mr. Chapman should have decided that living in his car was preferable.

      • 18 votes
      #4.5 - Wed May 23, 2012 2:17 PM EDT

      Comment collapsed by the communit

      65% rule in Utah and iff you are not part of that your not Shet.

      • 4 votes
      #4.6 - Wed May 23, 2012 3:29 PM EDT

      Jenifer Moses looks like her face caught fire and someone put it out with a shovel!

      • 3 votes
      #4.7 - Wed May 23, 2012 4:17 PM EDT

      Jenifer Moses looks like her face caught fire and someone put it out with a shovel

      Oh come on I'd bang her.....Up side the head with another shovel that is

      • 1 vote
      #4.8 - Wed May 23, 2012 7:20 PM EDT
      Reply

      From the looks of their mug shots who in their right mind would want to be roomies with any of them?

      They all look like they came out of central casting for the movie Zombies Eat Horseflesh (or each other whichever is fresher).

      And to think - they vote!

      • 38 votes
      Reply#5 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:35 AM EDT

      boomer

      I know what you mean. But somehow I doubt they take the time to vote. The ones who are not felons and legally can anyway.

      • 9 votes
      #5.1 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:44 AM EDT

      Look at those mugs...can you say, "in-breeding"?

      • 27 votes
      #5.2 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:57 AM EDT

      Betcha they vote conservative... lol I'm amazed in my own state how the people who live off of the state and do illegal things (meth labs, etc), always rail against big govt... I'm just sayin'..

      • 18 votes
      #5.3 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:20 AM EDT

      Mistake #1--moving in with SIX other roommates.

      • 10 votes
      #5.4 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:33 AM EDT

      Betcha they vote conservative... lol

      Betcha they don't vote. I doubt they can read the ballot.

      • 17 votes
      #5.5 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:37 AM EDT

      It's unlikely he had a lot of different housing choices. How many landlords are willing to rent to a convicted felon?

      • 10 votes
      #5.6 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:37 AM EDT

      Boomer -- don't you know that love is blind? Severed - they're in Utah, not Florida!

      • 2 votes
      #5.7 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:38 AM EDT

      azdad48

      It's unlikely he had a lot of different housing choices. How many landlords are willing to rent to a convicted felon?

      Might be a good reason for not becoming a convicted felon - just saying life choices tend to lead to rather predictable places. From what was said about his past he could have just as easily been on the other side of the situation. Sorry but it is true - get a bunch of druggies together and odds are something bad will happen.

      • 4 votes
      #5.8 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:51 AM EDT

      Azdad: "It's unlikely he had a lot of different housing choices. How many landlords are willing to rent to a convicted felon?"

      Where does it say that Chapman (the victim) was convicted felon? I read that Jordan and Jones (2 of 6 roomies) were convicts but I did not see anything re: Chapman? Perhaps I missed it (although I read it multiple times)

      • 9 votes
      #5.9 - Wed May 23, 2012 12:12 PM EDT

      no matter what the victim was or has been no one deserves that.... that was beyond cruel and very very wrong no matter what they happened to have believed at the time...would it have been so hard for them to call the cops and say we think our new roomie is the guy pilling a gun on our neighbors? guess they missed three hots and a cot

      • 1 vote
      #5.10 - Wed May 23, 2012 5:26 PM EDT

      I guess I read to much into it. Maybe he wasn't a convicted felon. But 2 of his roomies were, and the whole setup kind of sounds like some kind of halfway house or something -- the kind of place in the wrong part of town, where nobody who has any other choice wants to live. If he was an upstanding guy, why did he choose to live with 2 convicted felons?

      In any case, what they did to him was horrifying and I hope they all go away for a long time.

      • 1 vote
      #5.11 - Wed May 23, 2012 7:06 PM EDT

      no matter what the victim was or has been no one deserves that

      I would not go that far. Not saying Chapman is or was, but what if he was a convicted murdering pedophile. I bet you would change you mind then.

      If I had to quess I would say the suspects look like a bunch of meth cookers

        #5.12 - Wed May 23, 2012 7:24 PM EDT

        Not only do they vote, they are capable of breeding and multiplying.........now that's a scary thought!

        • 1 vote
        #5.13 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:29 PM EDT
        Reply

        WTF? Seven adults living in one home. They all look bat-$hit crazy!

        • 27 votes
        Reply#6 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:35 AM EDT

        What a freak show this is. All these nuts, should get locked up right away.

        • 7 votes
        Reply#7 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:38 AM EDT

        Tracy Jordan, in the news again!

        • 2 votes
        Reply#8 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:39 AM EDT

        looks like a bunch of inbread weirdo's...hope they like prison......wonder if there mormons???

        • 4 votes
        Reply#9 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:40 AM EDT

        No, probably not Mormans, BUT if their mothers and fathers get divorces, they will STILL be brothers and sisters!!!

        Get me some bleach, quick. I gotta kill the spawn...

        • 4 votes
        #9.1 - Wed May 23, 2012 2:02 PM EDT
        Reply

        Don't draw attention to our meth den! ( that was probably the message they were trying to get across)

        • 36 votes
        Reply#10 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:40 AM EDT

        LOL! That's what I thought. A bunch of methed-up paranoid dirt-bags. "The new guy is spying on us and has bugged the house. Lets get him!"

        • 10 votes
        #10.1 - Wed May 23, 2012 1:14 PM EDT
        Reply

        Why are these inbred idiots allowed to live? I'm judging a book by its cover because no good can come from people who look like these fine white trash specimen. AHH, makes me angry...

        • 4 votes
        Reply#11 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:41 AM EDT

        It's people like this that prove what I've always believed. Some people are only alive because it's illegal to kill them.

        • 6 votes
        #11.1 - Wed May 23, 2012 2:45 PM EDT

        Janine-1645002....... Hahahahahahaha, thank you for that.

        • 1 vote
        #11.2 - Thu May 24, 2012 12:25 AM EDT

        hey who made you god to judge people think you might go to he double l for that !!!

          #11.3 - Thu May 24, 2012 3:21 AM EDT

          My odds are 50/50... as are yours.

          I'll take my chances.

            #11.4 - Thu May 24, 2012 3:26 AM EDT
            Reply
            Comment author avatarDarrel B.Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

            Looks like the suspect were themselves beaten ... with an ugly stick.

            For all the good Mormons do, there seems to be a shadow element in their midst that is very dark.

            • 7 votes
            Reply#13 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:42 AM EDT

            I doubt that these are Mormon people. Not everyone in Utah is a Mormon, for heavens sake! I believe it's less than half.

            • 5 votes
            #13.1 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:01 AM EDT

            JayEll, just leave out the second "m". Plenty everywhere.

            • 13 votes
            #13.2 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:22 AM EDT

            Looks like the suspect were themselves beaten ... with an ugly stick

            No they fell out of the ugly tree and hit every ugly stick on the way down

            • 1 vote
            #13.3 - Wed May 23, 2012 7:31 PM EDT
            Reply

            This is why inbreeding is illegal. just look at them, Yikes!

            • 5 votes
            Reply#14 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:46 AM EDT

            I didn't know the Adams Family was still around. Give these clowns a reality show.. in the state prison!

            • 7 votes
            Reply#15 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:47 AM EDT

            The Adams family was pretty good looking. These... are just... blech.

            • 3 votes
            #15.1 - Wed May 23, 2012 2:08 PM EDT

            The Adams family were intelligent and sophisticated. Just a bit strange.

              #15.2 - Thu May 24, 2012 12:16 AM EDT
              Reply

              ...

                Reply#16 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:48 AM EDT

                I take it you hang out with these guys.

                  #16.1 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:50 AM EDT
                  Reply

                  They do look like an interesting bunch. Have you ever looked at your county sheriff website to see who is in jail? Mug shots should not be confused with glamour shots. That being said, I would hate to see them move next door to me.

                  • 6 votes
                  Reply#17 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:48 AM EDT

                  I would rather see them not move at all......and let rigor mortis set in.

                  • 16 votes
                  #17.1 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:59 AM EDT
                  Reply

                  Holy Gawd. Just looking at the pictures of that group, I was scared! I mean, yeah, I do try not to get too judgemental, but Jeeeeeeez. And I do get the point that mug shots ain't exactly your prom picture shots.

                  But still.....

                  If they moved in next door i'd be on the phone with my own real estate agent.

                  • 20 votes
                  Reply#18 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:52 AM EDT

                  Do they have a special camera that takes mug shots???? creepy creepy creepy. Aint it fun livin' together?????

                  • 4 votes
                  Reply#19 - Wed May 23, 2012 10:57 AM EDT

                  20 deleted, Zardoz8238 race-extrapolating:

                  ...ah the white race in all its glory!

                  You're suspended for a day for violating #5 of the Code of Honor.

                  • 1 vote
                  #19.1 - Thu May 24, 2012 6:26 PM EDT
                  Reply
                  Zardoz8238Deleted

                  If I had a son... Oh wait ... Wrong article....

                  But to be on topic all these guys look like freaks, they should be in the cirrus.

                  • 5 votes
                  Reply#21 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:00 AM EDT

                  Or at the very least the cumulus.

                  • 18 votes
                  #21.1 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:35 AM EDT

                  LOL, Cynic

                  • 6 votes
                  #21.2 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:37 AM EDT

                  okay! enough already! I am laughing so hard, tears are rollin'!!!! :)

                    #21.3 - Wed May 23, 2012 2:31 PM EDT

                    My eyes did an auto spellcheck and I had to read the comment again. Too funny.

                      #21.4 - Wed May 23, 2012 2:36 PM EDT

                      You're going to get me fired.

                        #21.5 - Wed May 23, 2012 2:45 PM EDT

                        I always say there is something sinister about Mitt!!...Oops wrong article.

                          #21.6 - Wed May 23, 2012 3:30 PM EDT

                          They will break the cloud and make it into the lower heaven!!

                            #21.7 - Wed May 23, 2012 3:35 PM EDT

                            come on people this is just another halfway house story has nothing to do with the mormons :( its convits trying to live together after a jail sentence :(

                              #21.8 - Thu May 24, 2012 3:16 AM EDT

                              I'll be honest... It took me about two minutes to process the joke that transpired. But, when I finally figured it out, I laughed out loud!! Go team! WOO!

                                #21.9 - Thu May 24, 2012 11:44 AM EDT
                                Reply

                                They make the cast from The Devil's Rejects look downright lovable.

                                • 8 votes
                                Reply#22 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:05 AM EDT

                                I have a feeling this has something to do with methamphetamine. It makes people paranoid and violent. And it is rampant throughout the West.

                                • 15 votes
                                Reply#23 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:09 AM EDT

                                Michelle: Meth is rampant in many U.S. locations--not just the West.

                                • 10 votes
                                #23.1 - Wed May 23, 2012 12:14 PM EDT

                                But it DOES certainly make people look whack! Like those six fine folk.

                                  #23.2 - Wed May 23, 2012 4:23 PM EDT
                                  Reply

                                  Loo-oo-oo-oo-oooooserrrs

                                  • 6 votes
                                  Reply#24 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:09 AM EDT

                                  If a picture is worth a thousand words: NUTS, all of them! And yes, I agree, just because they live in Utah does not make them Mormon, but morons, I'll by that!

                                  • 13 votes
                                  Reply#25 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:17 AM EDT

                                  Perfectly said Steven100...

                                  • 1 vote
                                  #25.1 - Wed May 23, 2012 2:11 PM EDT

                                  Yikes... scary indeed... and I always wanted to move to Utah (Kanab). I guess I'll think about it for now. I'll stay in Washington.. at least I know how to handle the crazies here.

                                  • 1 vote
                                  #25.2 - Wed May 23, 2012 2:32 PM EDT

                                  Yes. all of Utah is just like this. Please do not move here and tell all your friends as well. Make sure you tell them about all the crime happening at our national parks in Utah, our ski resorts, our deserts, our rivers, and our mountain trails. It is horrible here.

                                  • 2 votes
                                  #25.3 - Thu May 24, 2012 1:25 AM EDT
                                  Reply

                                  Methheads. The chick has the telltale lesions. The next guy also.

                                  • 3 votes
                                  Reply#26 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:19 AM EDT

                                  My friend was raised as a Metheadist. Nice services, long sermons.

                                  • 5 votes
                                  #26.1 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:41 AM EDT
                                  Reply

                                  And I thought this crap only happened in Florida. And I concur with AlexG....definitely meth-heads.

                                  • 2 votes
                                  Reply#27 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:20 AM EDT

                                  add on Craigslist. 6 meth addicts looking for 7th wheel in a great neighborhood.

                                  • 2 votes
                                  Reply#28 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:21 AM EDT

                                  Way to much Crack there! I that is what lives in Utah I'm not going! AS for him dude how did you get handcuffed in the first place? Stupid!

                                    Reply#29 - Wed May 23, 2012 11:22 AM EDT

                                    The kicker is..the handcuffs were his. He must have kept them for special dates

                                      #29.1 - Wed May 23, 2012 12:19 PM EDT
                                      Reply
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