John Lennon Murderer Mark David Chapman Again Denied Parole
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New York State Department of Corrections(ALDEN, N.Y.) — Mark David Chapman has been denied parole for the seventh time since his incarceration for the December 8, 1980 murder of John Lennon.
A statement by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision includes the text of the parole board’s Wednesday decision, which notes 57-year-old Chapman’s general good behavior and accomplishments while an inmate, as well as “positive presentation remorse, risk and needs assessment [and] letters of support.”
However, the board goes on to say, “…you shot and killed an innocent victim, an international music star. Your actions clearly demonstrated a callous disregard for the sanctity of human life. …parole shall not be granted for good conduct and program completions alone. Therefore, 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.”
Chapman was sentenced in 1981 to 20 years to life for Lennon’s murder and was first eligible for parole on December 4, 2000. His next parole hearing is scheduled for August, 2014.
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