For the seventh time, the murderer of John Lennon, Mark David Chapman, has been denied parole by the New York Department of Corrections.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono bed-in 1969
Board member Sally Thompson wrote in the decision “Despite your positive efforts while incarcerated, your release at this time would greatly undermine respect for the law and tend to trivialize the tragic loss of life which you caused as a result of this heinous, unprovoked, violent, cold and calculated crime. The panel notes your good conduct, program achievements, educational accomplishments, positive presentation, remorse, risk and needs assessment, letters of support, significant opposition to your release and all other statutory factors were considered. However, parole shall not be granted for good conduct and program completions alone.”
Chapman will be returned to protective custody and can reapply for parole again in two years. He was originally sentenced to 20 years to life on August 25, 1981 for the killing of Lennon the previous December.
A full transcript of Chapman’s interview before the board will be released in the near future.
