Mark David Chapman, the murderer of John Lennon, a former member of the superstar rock group, The Beatles, was once again denied parole. Chapman told the parole board that he committed the act as a form of “self-glory.” Chapman took the time to apologize to Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, who opposes his release.
Chapman has been denied parole for the 11th time after being brought before a board on August 29. After his 1980 murder of the 40-year-old Lennon in New York after being inspired by J. D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye, Chapman received a sentence of up to 20 years to life imprisonment. Chapman admitted to the board that his actions were motivated out of jealousy for Lennon’s fame at the time.
Chapman revealed his feelings and his desire to apologize to the Lennon family at the Wende Correctional Facility in Erie County, New York. In a statement, Chapman said, “I assassinated him… because he was very, very, very famous and that’s the only reason and I was very, very, very, very much seeking self-glory, very selfish. I want to add that and emphasize that greatly. It was an extremely selfish act. I’m sorry for the pain that I caused to her (Ono). I think about it all of the time.”
At one point, Chapman admitted to feeling that he deserved the death penalty, although the punishment was abolished in New York in 2007.
Ono, who was with Lennon at the time of the assassination, remains opposed to Chapman’s parole, arguing that his release would threaten both her family and himself.
In a 2000 letter addressed to the New York State Division of Parole, Ono wrote, “It would also give a “go” signal to the others who would like to follow in the footsteps of the “subject” to receive world attention. I am afraid it will bring back the nightmare, the chaos and confusion once again. Myself and John’s two sons, would not feel safe for the rest of our lives. People who are in positions of high visibility and outspokenness such as John, would also feel unsafe.”
She later added, “Finally, it will not be safe for the “subject” himself. He will cease to have the security that the State provides him now. I understand that he has been isolated from other prisoners because of the threat of possible harm to him. Well, there are more people in the outside world who are strongly distressed about what he has done. They would feel that it is unfair that the “subject” is rewarded with a normal life while John lost his. Violence begets violence. If it is at all possible, I would like us to not create a situation which may bring further madness and tragedy to the world.”
Chapman’s next parole hearing will be in 2022, and he will remain in his current confinement that is not far from the home of his wife, Gloria Chapman, who remained married to him, even after his conviction.
