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New York State Dept. of Corrections
Mark David Chapman is seen in this May 15, 2012, photo from the New York State Department of Corrections.
The killer of ex-Beatle John Lennon says he used hollow point bullets to shoot the singer “because they were more deadly.”
Mark David Chapman retold chilling details of his Dec. 8, 1980, crime during a New York parole board hearing on Aug. 22. He was denied parole for a seventh time the next day and remains at Wende Correctional Facility in western New York. The parole department released transcripts of the hearing Wednesday.
Chapman said he was living in Hawaii when he decided to target Lennon “because he was very famous.”
He said he also considered targeting television host Johnny Carson and actor George C. Scott.
But Lennon was more famous, Chapman said. He insisted he had no anger toward Lennon: “If he was less famous than three or four other people on the list, he would not have been shot.”
Associated Press
John Lennon is shown performing Aug. 30, 1972, at New York's Madison Square Garden.
Watch US News crime videos on NBCNews.com
Chapman said he bought the gun he used in Honolulu and needed only to show a driver’s license to get it. However, he said he got the hollow-point bullets from an old friend in Atlanta who was a police officer.
“I made a phone call in New York and the fellow said, ‘you’re not going to get any bullets out of me. It’s just not done here.’”
He said he told his Atlanta friend he needed the bullets for protection.
“I didn’t tell him what I was going to do,” Chapman said.
When asked why he chose hollow-point, Chapman responded “Because they were more deadly.”
Asked if he wanted to “inflict death,” on Lennon, Chapman responded, “Yes. Absolutely.”
Watch TODAY's morning news coverage from the day the legendary musician was assassinated outside his New York City apartment building.
Chapman said he had flown from Hawaii to New York twice to check out Lennon’s apartment building, called the Dakota.
He said on one trip, he saw the film “Ordinary People,” and called his wife, who was in Hawaii, and told her of his deadly plan but that he decided not to go through with it.
The compulsion to kill grew again after he returned to Hawaii, so he flew back to New York without telling his wife he planned to kill Lennon, said Chapman, who was 25 at the time.
Chapman said that on the day he shot Lennon, he staked out the Dakota from before noon and talked to him early in the day.
“He was very kind to me” and signed an album while his wife, Yoko Ono, waited in a limousine, Chapman said.
“Very cordial and very decent man,” Chapman said. “… But I was so compelled to commit murder that nothing would have dragged me away from that building.”
Just before 11 p.m., Lennon and Ono arrived at the apartment building. Ono got out of the car first, Chapman said, and went into the alcove of the Dakota as Lennon lingered at the car a moment.
“And then when Mr. Lennon passed me I turned, pulled out my weapon and shot him in the back,” Chapman said.
The record, he said, shows him calling out “Mr. Lennon,” but he told the parole board he didn’t say that.
“I just shot him,” he said.
Chapman fired five shots with a .38-caliber revolver, hitting Lennon four times in front of Ono and others.
There was a scream, and the Dakota doorman, Jose, grabbed Chapman’s pistol, the gunman told the parole board.
Chapman said he was carrying a copy of J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” when he shot Lennon. He claimed to identify with the main character, “who seemed to be lost and troubled.”
While in prison, Chapman said, he has been in his cell writing letters, reading and thinking.
He also said he has been having conjugal visits with his wife “pretty steady” for 20 years. His wife lives in Hawaii, he said.
He also said he has a “deep relationship with Christ” that started when he was in a Christian camp at age 16.
“So this is obviously very embarrassing for me now, having committed murder,” Chapman said.
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If he were to be paroled, Chapman said, he would go to Medina, N.Y., about 50 miles northeast of Buffalo, where a minister whom his wife met offered to refurbish an apartment and give him two jobs on his farm.
Chapman said he had corresponded with the pastor but met him just two days before the parole hearing.
The reason for the crime, according to Chapman: “Attention, bottom line.”
He said he received the attention but now he feels it was an “absolutely ridiculously selfish act to take another human life so that I could be pumped up into, you know, something that I wasn’t to begin with.”
He also told a parole commissioner, “Fame is ridiculous. It holds no value.”
“It was a very selfish act and I deeply regret it,” Chapman told the board. “I’m sorry for my crime.”
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Leave a Comment:
He took a man's life for attention....pretty pathetic.
And it seems that he's still getting the attention he craves.
He took more than a man's life Dee Dee. He destroyed the greatest symbol of my generation. He took away our spokesman for love and peace in what is now a loveless, war torn world filled with strife and hate.
What's more pathetic was that if the victim were not famous, he would have been out on parole by now. There should be no parole for murder, but it's messed up that people who are not famous seem to be less valuable as victims than the famous according to New York State.
Why we waste the time and money keeping this guy alive is beyond me...
With intent he killed another human being...
BS....the one eyed followers did this along with many others. They kill and get away with it over and over.
SOB!! He shouldn't even be eligible for parole! I don't think he is nuts, he had a lot of time to think about it and still went through with it.
conjugal visits with his wife....WTF!
looks like he still has his front teeth. and conjugal visits?
This guy claims to have a deep relationship with Christ. Apparently this was long before he murdered Lennon (since age 16). I can't help but wonder how much Christians would be all over this with righteousness and whatnot if he claimed to be atheist.
As a Christian it's "... obviously very embarassing..." for him. That clears up them there Christian values I keep hearing about.
He killed John Lennon because he wanted to be famous. I'd forgotten his name on purpose just because of this, so keep him out of the news and keep him in jail. I don't feel sorry for him with his sob story that fame has no value and he's sorry now because he has to rot in jail - let him! He's a cold blooded killer who killed for no reason other than to boost his ego!
Not always.
I hope that a jury would still give a man life in prison if he kills just for notoriety.
Typical Christian narcissist. If he could vote he would be a republican.
marinmom.... Typical Christian narcissist? Being Christian means that you aren't self absorbed. You place others needs on even ground or above yours. If a "Christian" is narcissistic then he's NOT a Christian. Those two terms don't go together at all. I think people forget that it's a lifestyle, not just a word. You can believe in Jesus Christ and still not be Christian. This mans actions in 1980 are most DEFINITELY not Christian. If he has repented, which means accepting he has sinned and is working the rest of his life to pay for that sin, then he can become Christian. But most just don't understand that simply believing in Jesus Christ doesn't make you Christian automatically. What about the pedophile priests? Are they Christian because they use his name and wear the fancy robes? They are no more Christian than a murderer is.
Allarequal:
The point is that Chapman thinks he's Christian, not that he is a true Christian. It is exactly the problem I see with the Republican agenda. They proclaim they're Christian, but follow a completely different set of values. I completely agree with Marinmom and you. You're both right.
He's not still in because Lennon was famous. He's still in because he killed someone he had no connection to. It would be like killing someone just because you want to see someone die or to see what it is like to kill. These killers seldom get paroled and rightfully so.
Jetjoky, anti-Chrisitian morons like you always come out of the woodwork to lump ALL Christians together. This Chapman guy obviously found Christ to make excuses to cover his guilty, hateful ways. I can't help but wonder what idiots like you would attack if you didn't have your groups to throw stones at. Quit generalizing, jerk!
Typical, Christian-bashing hypocrite. Sounds like you'd DEFINITELY vote Democrat, Marinmom (or is that Marinmoron?).
The thing is, Chapman is still not famous for killing John Lennon. He is infamous for doing it.
@Marinmom
If you read the article dated 4/24/12 in which Chapman was interviewed by M. Pomeroy for "The Weekender", David Chapman describes himself and a Christian and a DEMOCRAT who fully supports Barak Obama for re-election, stating "we see eye to eye on the issues regarding Healthcare in America". Although he stated he did not support the Obama-Biden ticket this time around. He referenced a woman as a running mate for Obama who is apparently an actress he admires, although I can't recall her name.
The bottom line is, for all you bleeding hearts out there, this is exactly why we have death penalties, and why they should be used, for this type of murderer.
@!$%# him he just doesn't a have an excuse to kill any one and him doesn't represent a christian.. @!$%# him @!$%# him ......John Lennon was the sensitive human being trying to make a difference in this terrible world of chaos and deceive of human being what a shame ....
"He also said he has a “deep relationship with Christ” that started when he was in a Christian camp at age 16."
So, over this whole time, from the age of 16, until this day, he has a relationship with Christ? He should have been asked how proud Christ was of him after he killed Lennon. He must have forgotten the part, where if one wants to be a Christian, one has to follow ALL of the Christs teachings, and it's not a matter of picking and choosing which ones you want to follow that gives one the right to be called a Christian.
For the few of you turds that went to the political side. Not everything in life is about politics. If you have nothing intelligent to say, dont automatically go to the "he would vote ______" crapola. Pretty lame.
And his wife has stood by him for 20 years? What's wrong with her?
Totally agree!! I'm sick of politics too. As for this lame brain, he's got it good for life.. Probably be laughing all the way to the grave.. Wonder if he's watching the same shows on cable that we watch with his personal TV and those conjugal visits.. (can't convince me that crime doesn't pay for these mutton heads).
Only 25 was Lennon just think of what the poet would have contributed yet and still. I really miss you John Lennon.
What is sad about this is that Chapman called his wife while she was still in Hawaii stating that he was going to kill Lennon and they never say what she said but they said in the article I read that the NEXT time he decided not to tell her... so SHE knew and did not tell anyone...
Lusitania, John Lennon was 40 years old.
Marinmom, I'm a moderate independent, who most typically votes for Democrats, and I have to say that yours is one of the most idiotic and offensive comments I've come across.
I agree with Lydia...his wife should also be doing time as an accomplice!
why hasnt some descent convict shanked this puke years ago. hell it still aint to late.
It took exactly 13 comments for a story that has absolutely nothing to do with politics to turn political. You people are pathetic.
Dear Mr.Chapman,
I'd like to share some of my thoughts with you, since you are so intent on sharing yours with us:
1) we really don't care what your relationship with Christ is...that's your business, not ours
2) we sincerely want you to pay for your crime... and by that we mean spending the rest of your miserable life in prison
3) we really don't want to hear why you shot John, or what your innermost feelings were or are (please refer to number 1 above).
Thank you...now go away...and don't come back
How is one supposed to react/respond to a story like that? I happened to be in Manhattan the night of John Lennon's shooting. It was the same night that the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza was being lit. I remember the absolute shock of hearing he was dead. Never mind his status as a celebrity and an artist, I remember thinking simply that he was much too young to die. Chapman should never get out of jail, for any reason. He should die in there, thinking about the lives that he destroyed for no "sane" reason. This is yet another example of why "common sense" gun restriction laws must remain on the books.
Well, at least he is embarrassed and sorry...........(What a COS)
Why is this pos still alive (rhetorical question-we all know why. Lets all hold hands now and sing Khumbaya)
I think the fact that this person has parole hearings at all is a colossal joke and a travesty. Why waste the time. The same thing with Manson. They are never getting out so why the dog and pony show. Certainly no one wants this fool back in society. Murdering someone because they are famous is one of the mosr shallow, inane, just plain crazy things I have heard of. Let his a$$ rot and decompose in prison. Then keep what's left locked up too! The really sad part is John Lennon, had he lived, might have tried to see the good in this person. He seemed to be that type of guy. For the sake of his children, let's not hear anymore about the murderer. For any and all future parole hearings...........just say no!
Honestly never was a big fan of Lennon, either of his music OR his personality, but he didn't deserve to get shot like that. And the fact that Mr. Chapman felt a "strong compulsion to kill" and hasn't addressed that compulsion, only saying "sorry," well I don't think he should get out. Being "sorry" and "embarrassed" doesn't mean he wouldn't do it again. Life in prison should mean just that - the REST of his LIFE in prison!
I suppose the bureaucracy requires us to endure such processes (parole hearings) but considering he should have been put to death, parole should never be an option.
It takes a murderer to reduce execution to 'a selfish act'. I mean a 'ridiculous selfish act'.
Agree that Lennon didn't deserve to get killed in this manner. I've never been a fan of Lennon because he was a hypocrite. Singing about love but yet he abandons his young child and wife. Leaving your wife is one thing but leaving your child is a whole different ballgame.
A Lennon lover (and killer) and a Democrat.. if he could vote he would vote Dem for sure. (silly isnt it)
unreal... that in NYC you can't legally own a handgun but if you murder someone in cold blood you can have conjugal visits and be considered for parole. Just friggin' sickenin'
To comonsenz-658664,
This ain't political, son! How do you know he's a Democrat? It says NOTHING about his political affiliation in the article. The idiot murdered John Lennon. Period. What on god's green earth does that have to do with the way he votes (or if he could vote). Plenty of right-wing Republican nutjob gun freaks out there hell bent on keeping their automatic and semi-automatic rifles, hollow point bullets, and grenade launchers. Stockpiling weapons for their 'Armageddon', or to kill doctors at abortion clinics. Your argument is misguided and a joke. Oh, and you're an idiot.
Let the bastard rot. Or better yet, hand me that syringe.
They need to stop showing his face and mentioning his name, no reason to give him any more attention that he desired. Lock his ass in a cell and forget about him, he admitted it, he was tried by his peers who cares if he rots.
Kraussk,You hit the nail there. But what I cannot understand is Chapman's wife? Mark told her that he was going to New York from Hawaii to kill John Lennon. When he made his first trip to NY he phoned her to say that he changed his mind? All the while she just sat on her a$$ waiting for this time bomb to explode? Mrs Chapman has to be an accessory to this crime,she's as goofy as he is!
Tom B., Abby Giffords is a Democrat and is a registered gun owner who should have been packing that day and shot Loughner between the eyes and saved the overburdened taxpayers of Arizona a bundle.You can bet your last nickel that if the illegal firearm toting murders that are in the streets of Chicago had their choice in the coming election it would be Obama. John Lennon's song," Imagine" comes to mind, a verse could be added,"Imagine there's no a$$holes", but hey I'm just a dreamer,but I'm not the only one.
Tom B.. well "Son" it is what is is azzwipe.
I'm a forgive and forget person who doesn't hold a grudge. I know Christ forgives us as we forgive others. I know Mr. Lennon's example was one of peace and non violence but I have had a real hard time not thinking about if @!$%# ever got out of prison I would hunt him down just as he did John Lennon. I know I'm a Dreamer........ But I'm not the only one.........I hope he never gets out........ Or in my life will come a gun......
Still sounds like he has a problem ..Glad his parole was denied..
Yeah. He's embarrassed about committing murder because he was a devout christian. Embarrassed! His words. Still a nutjob.
Yeah, as a Christian, Chapman is "embarrassed". I bet Jesus is embarrassed, too.
The subhuman mutant that murdered John Lennon is a psychopath, and once you understand the way the mind of a psychopath works, it is easy to recognize them . . .
The Cassiopaens have an excellent website which provides the best information on psychopaths and the ways the minds of psychopaths malfunction . . .
[NOTE: The Cassiopaeans have some patently surreal perspectives on everything else, where their views are more along the lines of super-advanced science fiction which is even more wacky that Scientology and the science fiction of L. Ron Hubbard, although some of the conspiracy theories devised by the Cassiopaeans are interesting if you enjoy science fiction, but regardless the fact of the matter is that the Cassiopaeans have the best information on psychopaths . . . ]
http://www.cassiopaea.com/cassiopaea/psychopath.htm
Essentially, psychopaths do not feel normal human emotions, and because of this they can do terrible things without feeling even a tiny bit of guilt or remorse. For a psychopath, committing a horrible crime is no different than opening a bottle of soda pop in terms of guilt, remorse, or any other normal human emotion, and this is what makes psychopaths the most dangerous animals on this planet, because they literally are capable of doing anything at anytime to anyone anywhere . . .
For reference, psychopaths also are called "sociopaths" and when they are younger "indigo Children", and they do not have souls, which is part of the reason that they do not experience normal human emotions, and in effect this makes them soulless automatons . . .
And because they do not experience normal human emotions, they have no sense of time, which in turn maps to psychopaths simply being unable to comprehend or to imagine consequences, because understanding or even being aware of consequences for actions requires a strong sense of time and an understanding of the concept of the future . . .
Another aspect of psychopaths is that while they do not experience and feel normal human emotions, they sense or suspect that there are such things as normal human emotions, which causes psychopaths to behave as "emotional vampires", where they do things to other people in hopes that they will be able to experience or to feel some of the emotions of their victims . . .
And as explained in the overview of psychopaths at the Cassiopaean website--as well in the definite textbook "The Mask Of Sanity" (Hervey M. Cleckley, MD) where there a numerous examples--psychopaths use words in odd, illogical, and inappropriate ways, and while they might have learned how to use some words in a normal way, if a clinical psychologist, law enforcement officer, parole panel member, or some other trained professional asks the correct questions, then psychopaths will reveal their true natures by misusing words . . .
In this instance, using the word "embarrassing" is an atypical use at best, and it clearly is the wrong word to use, but when you understand that psychopaths do not experience and feel normal human emotions, it is not so difficult to realize the reason that psychopaths use atypical and incorrect words, which is that they have no direct way to understand the emotions that such words describe and convey . . .
Using an analogy, metaphor, or simile, if you walk onstage to begin giving a lecture but you have toilet paper stuck to one of your shoes and someone in the audience remarks on this, then it is quite normal to be a bit embarrassed, but being embarrassed is not a normal human emotional response to killing someone . . .
If you read the entire transcript of the parole board hearing, it is not difficult to understand that the subhuman mutant also uses the word "fame" incorrectly, as well as making other incorrect observations about "fame" . . .
The subhuman mutant who ruthlessly and brutally murdered John Lennon is a psychopath, and the fact of the matter is that there is no way known to medicine and science to fix or to repair a psychopath, because the fundamental genetic algorithms of psychopaths are corrupted by malfunctions, and this is the primary reason that the subhuman mutant who ruthlessly and brutally murdered John Lennon must never be released from prison, as the parole panel so clearly stated in their unanimous decision to deny parole, for sure . . .
For sure! :-D
Baldenario: I agree with your post with one exception: Not all indigo children are psychopaths. It is not quite that simple.
@Baldenario Yes, that is correct, The Cassiopaens are speaking from what is referred to as "first hand knowledge" due to "first hand experience" in dealing with their "flock".
let chapman out...it'd save lots of money and only cost a couple of bucks for the bullets to finish what should have happened 30 years ago...
I know that some murderers serve more than 30 years, but i can't help wondering if he would have been granted parole if he shot a drifter for no reason. We'll never know.
Somebody PLEASE just slit the demons throat get it over with his life is not precious enough to even be in prison!!
keep him there for ever and keep his wife away
Makes you wonder why his wife didn't turn him in when he told her of his plans to begin with. Or at least get him into therapy. Let him rot now. He's got his fifteen minutes of fame.
Or...why his wife wasn't charged with complicity for being aware of his plans.
"Or...why his wife wasn't charged with complicity for being aware of his plans."
Absolutely ridiculous statement. She is his wife, and I am sure everyone has made crazy statements in the privacy of their bedroom or home. Can you imagine how many calls the police would have to investigate if everyone turned in their loved one for an off the cuff comment. This country is already a "call the authorities" OVER EVERYTHING. You can not stop these tragedies, period, but to hold people responsible because they "heard" something is a major problem. She didn't help him, she didn't plan it, she didn't do anything but heard something. How would you like your neighbor reporting you for something they "heard" you say. Don't be stupid.
Uh let's see.....yep, if my spouse ever made a statement like that, I'd be holding them at gunpoint for the cops.
At Ddotherightthing Umm, are you brain dead??? It wasnt that he just made a comment! He actually flew to new york, more than once! Staked out Lennon`s apt. building, then told his wife that he was gong to commit murder. As well, would she not wonder why he was going to new york? Would she not know that this guy was a little off his rocker?? Seriously, are you that dumb?? People call the police all the time about comments people make..that is why alot of crimes are stopped before they happen. Get your brain checked, cause you just dont get it!
I'm surprised a crazed Lennon fan didn't take out revenge on Chapman's wife.
This man knew exactly what he was doing and his only remorse is that it didn't achieve the status he envisioned it would. He is correct, he is a selfish worthless piece of human excrement that deserves absolutely nothing, but the existance in the prison he put himself into. Although, I do not believe he deserves anything at all, perhaps when he becomes old and broken he can be released on purely humanitarian reasons. Maybe, John would approve? I may wish it to be Yoko's decision.
He achieved the status. Any John Lennon fan knows Chapman.
yes, any john lennon fan knows him same that, any john lennon fan want to kill him!!!!!!!!!!!
The only reason that bastard is alive is because John wouldn't have wanted revenge. Anyone who knew what he was about knows that.
Shee-it Yoko-doko is more famous with John dead,what else has she accomplished other than being a famous widow?
While I certainly am not a fan of Yoko Ono, all evidence points to the fact that she loved John very much and was devastated by his murder and having to witness it. I'm sure she would much rather be the famous wife then the famous widow.
wata prick.and some woman lets him put his d..k in her.whos crazier? hope this dildo never gets out.he still has issues.i like john lennon.he was a peaceful guy.wish he was still here.love to hear his veiws on life now.
Be thankful that his wife to stand by him. His behavior in prison is what gets him his conjugals. Without her he could of stuck a knife in many correctional officers necks by now. He may still do it because good behavoir was not the key to release. Might as well become the madman everyone thinks he his and take out some guards.
Joanne, so you think that "good behavior" in prison negates the fact that he murdered an unarmed man in front of his wife? He's lucky that he's still alive!
I'm vehemently against he death penalty (too many innocent people have been killed by the state), and the death penalty isn't consistent (whites, convicted of the same crimes as blacks/latinos, are remarkably less-likely to be administered the death penalty in America).
While I'm against the death penalty, I am for life-imprisonment. How on earth was Chapman given the possibility of parole? They should have thrown him in a solitary cage and, and been done with it.
Parole for Chapman would be a huge injustice to Lennon, his memory, and to his family.
Even if a bunch of people see you kill; or you admit that you've kidnapped, raped and eaten four teenage boys?
No Justice: Yes, there is corruption and there are many times the system is not equal (socioeconomic, people of color, corruption), etc. But what about people like Manson, Chapman, Bundy, Gacy, people who do it and admit they did it or there is really NO question of their guilt. I think the death penalty is actually justice in those cases.
I am pretty sue Manson was given the death penalty, but the statute was declared unconstitutional so it changed to a life sentence. He comes up for parole every once in a while, too.
Please show us the data you have to back that statement up
I wish they had let him out. "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" would be waiting for him on the outside with a Beatles fan behind it. lol
And yet, the man that tried to kill the President and wounded many others is given freedom to stay with mother.
republican pres right ...? that's why !
Stevo: Check out this link to see Chapman's connections to the Bush family. Never heard this stuff at the time.
http://www.rense.com/general45/hink.htm
Presidents are dime a dozen. Always a new one every 4 or 8 years. Lennon was unique.
HEY RevSpinnaker, your little article isnt about Mark Chapman, it's about John Hinckley shooting Reagan. Your getting your s*** mixed up.
That's because he shot a Republican.(didn't see stevos post before I posted,still think that's the reason)
Lennon unique? He was a popular musician,not the second coming sheesh!
Golliegeewillickers, your totally flippant comment is just a sign of the times! Back in 1965, John Lennon ALMOST derailed his/The Beatles' careers by simply pointing out in an interview that (@ that moment in time)The Beatles were more popular than Jesus!! Anybody who lived back then can tell you about the uproar this "Reality" created!! An exasperated and humbled Lennon merely stated the obvious,& the WORLD (including ALOT of Beatles fans) TOTALLY FREAKED OUT!! Recently, Kid Rock put out a(kick-ass) song called 'Rock n' Roll Jesus',& by comparison, nobody even NOTICED!! If Lennon would've recorded a song w/ that title back in '65, I can ASSURE you he would've been assassinated LATER in '65!! 'Golliegee', keep in mind when you go online & post whatever-the-F?!K you want, whenever you want,w/o any consideration of possible ramifications,John Lennon paved the way for you!!Oh,& by the way, he was DEFINITELY KILLED for it!!"Just a musician"?!?! WOW!! The reality of folks like you in the world makes me wanna go & do background checks on all my neighbours !!
(loud, raucous applause)
FRY HIM ! WE HAVE TO START CHANGING OUR SENTENCING LAWS AND GUIDE LINES !
We are over populated, lets get rid of the insane, reckless, murderers, rapist, etc etc etc
yes and lets do, do what he did to john lennon to him he sucks big time. what a bastard for what he has done to his familly along with hs familly of the world.
Stevo 14: As long as you are only talking about DANGEROUS mentally ill people, count me in. Most mentally ill people are harmless. We do need to change our guidelines and clean up the system.
We have to come to a conscious decision as to what the goals of criminal punishment are before we do a knee-jerk reaction and change sentencing guidelines and all. The big problem is some people see criminal punishment as a penalty or a person's just rewards for their abhorrent actions. In this view, there should be no parole, but a person should just serve their time, and be done with it. Other people see a remedial aspect to criminal punishment, ie that the goal is to reform the person into a law-abiding citizen. In this view, things like parole matter because it is a step in the remedial process. I am not saying one is right, or the other is wrong, but until we as a society decide which one we want, we are going to continue to have arguments like this.
Please let him go free. Free from the protection that this prison has provided him. Free to go to work on his pastor's upstate farm. Myself and about a thousand others will find him and string him up. I would be proud to inflict the most painful torture on him until he is dead!
hek no let him rot in hell
Make no mistake -- he's going to rot in hell regardless of HOW he gets there!
@breezerbo6..........your comment sounds just as bad as what Chapman did to John Lennon..........so...........you're no different!
And you dumbasses laugh at people who believe in some sort of god.
Gonna' go all jihad on his ass are ya? hah hah hah
@freedom girl - No, breezerbo6 is in fact very different.
His target is a confirmed sociopathic murderer, Chapman's target was, of all people, John Lennon.
Chapman, who is clearly incapable of feeling empathy evident in the way all his statements re: remorse revolve around him and him alone. A full 20 yrs. after murdering Lennon all he can say is "Fame is ridiculous. It holds no value". Ergo Freedom Girl:
John Lennon - fame = John Lennon has no value.
Were John Lennon still alive today, after Chapmans 20 yrs. of 'alleged rehabilitation' for his crime, Chapman would think that the legendary John Lennon who remains world famous for his undeniable and historic mark on music, along with his other artistic talents, wit, charm, social activism, political activism, and peace loving ways... would have "no value". Chapman believes himself, however, does have value as he's never said anything to the contrary, even though, ironically, he himself is now famous.
Hmmmm....ponder that one a moment.
Chapman is a simple narcissistic sociopath turned cold blooded killer and remains that way today as he will remain that way until the day he dies.
Breezerbo6 and Chapman are indeed very different Freedom girl, and I think it's important that you understand that on a very fundamental level.
Marxist trash at NBC takes a long interview and makes sure they include his delusions about his relationship with Christ...of course Christ will forgive him...but this guy is a manifestation of Satan himself....like the pious tools who desire to make a generalized statement about all who know faith
this guy is a nut. i hate it when people like this call on the name of the Lord.
Lots of those, out there. The more mentally ill they are, the more they say that the evil that they are doing is in the name of God.
Cassandra, the old, "the Devil made me do it" explanation. Not all mentally ill people are going to hurt other people. Some might hurt themselves before they hurt others. Also, not all mentally ill people will say that they are doing G-d's work. However, many prisoners up for parole will say that they found G-d in order to get paroled, even though a great percentage become repeat offenders.
I wish that I had outlived this individual.
Why? Are you dead, stiv bators?
A post from beyond?
Embarrassing ? Sick.
"EMBARRASSING"??? THAT'S the word he uses to describe his feelings about murdering a peaceful husband and father who was adored by millions and changed the world? Disgusting.
It really is astonishing how obvious it is when someone confirms they are a sociopath isn't it?
He's basically telling us that he thinks that if none of us knew about what he did it would all be o.k. because then he wouldn't have to be "embarrassed" by it.
I am hopeful this individual never gets parole. I'm sure he regrets what he did. But it is clear that his act was premeditated. And he even had the opportunity to not go through with it when he had returned to Hawaii. He is the perfect candidate for life in prison, no parole.
john even sighned his album.god that gets me the most.ungrateful f..k! i wish they would let him out.beatles fans are everywhere.happiness is a warm gun.
"Happiness is a warm gun" is about heroin use.
Happiness is a warm gun is not about heroin use. George Martin saw some hunting magazine with that saying on the cover, and he thought John would like it. John did, so he wrote a song about it. John wrote the song when he was in India, pre-heroin.
.
No parole is a good thing. Should have been life without the possibility of parole. Wonder what it cost the State to keep him incarcerated and have parole hearings every few years?
I wish that I would have outlived this pathetic individual. Long live great music and musicians.
You're dead?
John Lennon had a right to life. This "person" does not.
yes its true diane-2438998 you right ,i don't know why the police don't put this guy to sleep like a bad dog.
A bad dog has more right to live than this guy.
Ok time served.. let the man go.. if you want to focus on a killing or killer lets try all the illegals who enter this country everyday and kill in the name of drugs and get 5 to 10 or sent back home...
Apology accepted. Time to cut him loose.
What apology? He said the fame wasn't worth it.
RevWillieG~ I truly hope, Sir, you are being facetious.
This guy deserves to die in prison. He took the life of a innocent man and for that he should rot. He shows absolutely no remorse for what he did.
TOdd~ You're half right..this waste of skin should have died...shortly after the trial.
OldThang: Preferably BEFORE he killed someone else. Too bad we can't go there.
Shelly from Portland Oregon~ Very much too bad...
This insect is a self centered @!$%# that has absolutely no idea what he has done.
“So this is obviously very embarrassing for me now, having committed murder,” Chapman said.
It's still all about him.
Narcissistic Sociopath. There's a few of them around. Some of them murder, so of them don't.
If you ever get out you can bet someone will kill you.You won't be able to hide anywhere.
happiness is a warm gun.
ed, would you kill? then YOU would sit in prison costing us money - smarty!
Yea big guys, keep petting your guns, but nothing smart will come from it.
only if you get caught.
Yep, because every American knows crime is OK as long as you don't get caught.
@ ed castile; Right on brother. Right on. I would like to add that any person on the New York Parole Board, or whoever decides Chapman's fate, would be well advised that if they let this piece of filth EVER go free, they too shall be held accountable - I promise....
Parole guidelines are very strict in New York. It's like being in prison on the outside. At least the government would no longer be paying for his confinement. Research has shown that people who have committed violent crimes like this and who are released never re-offend. Some of the remarks on here hideous and violent . Have you become the monsters you fear ? If he shot just a regular man he would of been released by now. He has had positive behavior in prison. That got him nowhere. I just hope this denial does not push him over the edge and he reverses the behavior and takes out some guards.
Amen Joanne!
Parole guidelines are maybe strict, but the governing of them is so lax that the parolee many times get away with murder or other crimes a second time!!! I KNOW THAT FOR SURE!
Thinking about how John's messages in his songs were all about peace and love, I wonder what he would have wanted? Just in case any of you are Christian, remember what Christ said when He was dying on the cross..."Father, forgive them for they know not what they do".
So, do you even know who he killed? It wasn't someone like you or me, it was John Lennon! Sorry you missed him.
This maye true he didn't know what he was doing. The funny thing is that maybe Christ is in prison because just about every inmate that is up for parole finds him. If he did that for fame then just think what he might do to be left alone. I say let him rot because he does not know what he does.
"If he shot just a regular man he would have been released by now"... why do I keep reading this?? The point is, he DIDN'T shoot just a regular man! HE SHOT JOHN FRIGGIN' LENNON!!!!
WHO WAS A REGULAR MAN!!! He didn't walk on water nor heal the sick or lame.
He was a talented musician nothing more.
"nothing more"?! Lennon would ,indeed, BALK @ the idea of being anything 'more'! But,in reality, he was one of a HANDFUL of people who actually CHANGED the world for the better;and that is why he IS one of the biggest ICONS of the 20th century & beyond--REAL heroes DON'T court those kinda things! He DIDN'T write songs like "Rock n' Roll Jesus"--he wrote songs like "Working Class Hero", & "Imagine". 'Golliegee', you never even would've POSTED if you had the knowledge that Lennon, in FACT, was singled out by an angry,disillusioned,then-recently-mugged-while-being-an-acid-tripping-bum-on-the-beach,formerly-obsessed-childhood-Beatles-fan,Chapman;simply for singing the words, "Imagine there's no Heaven..." The guy's a total psycho,& a GREAT argument for re-instating the death penalty in New York! If Chapman was standing in front of me right now,& I was holding a gun, I would shoot him dead,& then go eat a steak dinner! It's time for you to go back to sleep,now,'Golliegee'!!
This cruel murderer should face the death penalty - he has enjoyed enough of our tax money! IMO, if you kill, you have to pay with your life. Why do our laws protect a murderer? Why do we host this murderer? IMO, we law abiding people are too nice and gullible. I don't agree with some people on this board who want to torture him to death - I just think our LAW should be TOUGHER. Death penalty within six months of conviction. That would send a message AND save us money on repeat appeals and hosting murderers for decades.
This man admitted to his crime. The death penalty in New York, come on ! With it's messed up justice system. Google wrongful convictions in New York. In 2006, 1* a report concluded that New York's system of indigent criminal defense has failed its constitutional and legal obligations to provide effective assistance of counsel to the indigent accused. With at least 80% of NY prisoners being the indigent accused, there is a substantial amount of convictions that are not only unreliable and questionable, but outright unconstitutional and illegal. It has became standard procedure to arbitrarily dispose of people, and the idea held by many that those merely accused of crime deserve no rights is already a working reality.
1* Commission on the Future of Indigent Defense in New York final report to Judge Judith Kaye June 2006
We understand that in a certain amount of cases an Innocent person ends up in prison. That truly does suck and if there is a way to prevent it I'm sure we would all love to see it happen, but this thread is about Lennon & some slime who is far from innocent!
HaileyId, I had to read your 4 sentences twice--funny--but truth-full!
Decibella, A firing squad? Is that Okay with you?
For Yoko, yes, a firing squad will do.
He sounds like he's sorry for his actions. But he also sounds effing CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lock
him up.
I don't think he sounds like HE is sorry for the murder. I think he has LEARNED what to say - he is a very dangerous and feeling-less man.
Decibella~ Sociopaths usually are...extremely dangerous and "feeling-less".
I guess this particular calculating cold-blooded murderer's "close relationship with Christ" was merely one of those NSA affairs, you know, f**kbuddies. Like Son-of-Sam's relationship.
It certainly couldn't have been a very close relationship if these devout souls never picked up on the fact that Jesus never effing killed anyone. (It was just his followers: Crusaders, Spanish Inquisition, you know, the ones who simply did it in his name, although I don't think I've read anywhere that Jesus ever told anyone else to kill another person either.)
The only thing Jesus saved any of those bastards from was the Death Penalty, which has been outlawed in New York State.