John Lennon's Killer Won't Get Parole
John Lennon and Yoko Ono
53-year-old Mark David Chapman, better known as the murderer convicted of John Lennon's killing, was denied parole Tuesday August 12, 2008. Counting this time, Chapman has been denied parole a total of five times.
Prior to the parole hearing, a sum of fifty letters were sent in requesting Chapman be denied parole, along with a petition containing over one thousand signatures. John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, had sent in letters in previous years also asking for his parole to be denied, but her legal representatives took no action this particular hearing. Only three letters were received asking for Chapman to be paroled.
In an official statement, the New York State Division of Parole announced that Chapman was denied parole because of "concern for the public safety and welfare." Chapman's sentence was a minimum of 20 years, with a maximum of life. Chapman was found guilty of murdering John Lennon outside of his apartment in New York on December 8, 1980, and has since then served 24 years in prison.
Chapman has been allowed to have extended conjugal visits with his wife, Gloria. Under the state program known as "Family Reunion," Chapman is allowed to spend up to 44 hours with his wife. In order to be allowed this type of visitation, inmates must have good behavior and meet specific requirements.
Chapman will not be eligible for parole for another two years in 2010.
