Binghamton Killer Moved To Medium-Security Prison

The man who raped and killed the 12-year-old daughter of a Binghamton police sergeant has been moved from a maximum-security prison to a medium-security facility in Cayuga County.

James Wales Sr. was sentenced to 33-and-a-third years to life in prison for second-degree murder and first-degree rape in connection with the 1984 attack on Cheri Ann Lindsey.

David Lindsey, the girl's father, is angered at the move of Wales to the Cayuga Correctional Facility in Moravia. Wales had been held at the Auburn Correctional Facility.

Cheri Ann Lindsey vanished in March 1984 after she had been collecting from customers on her paper route near her home on Binghamton's North Side. After an extensive search, her body was found in the basement of the Wales residence.

David Lindsey said he was so disgusted when he learned Wales now is in a medium-security prison, he wanted to "yell and scream."

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Lindsey said he understands inmates are shifted out of maximum-security facilities before they become eligible for parole so they can become acclimated to "moving back into society."

According to the state Department of Corrections, a parole hearing for Wales could be held in March 2017. His parole eligibility date is July 22 of that year.

Lindsey said he believes Wales should be returned to a maximum-security prison. He said he called the office of the Department of Corrections commissioner on Monday to express his concern but he's received no response.

Wales was 35-years-old when he killed the girl. He's now 66.

Lindsey said he and his wife are concerned that Wales eventually could be released and be able to walk the streets once again. He said he's heard from many people who are upset that Wales could be paroled in a few years.

A city park near the Lindsey home was named in Cheri Ann's memory shortly after her death.