John Lennon’s Killer Denied Parole Again: 14th Time’s the Charm?

## Mark David Chapman Denied Parole Again

Mark David Chapman, the man responsible for the murder of John Lennon, has been denied parole for the 14th time. This decision was made public by the state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

### Background on the Case

Chapman, now 70 years old, first became eligible for parole in 2000, two decades after he fatally shot the iconic musician outside of Lennon’s Upper West Side residence. His recent appearance before the parole board took place on August 27.

In a shocking turn of events, Chapman had pleaded guilty to the crime, which occurred on December 8, 1980, right after Lennon had signed an album for him. At that moment, Lennon was just 40 years old. Chapman was later apprehended outside the Dakota building with a copy of J.D. Salinger’s novel *The Catcher in the Rye* and was sentenced to 20 years to life imprisonment in 1981.

### Reflections from Chapman

During a parole hearing in 2022, Chapman admitted to having “evil in my heart,” expressing a level of self-awareness about his actions. He stated, “I am not going to blame anything else or anybody else for bringing me there. I knew what I was doing, and I knew it was evil.”

The parole board, when denying his request for release, highlighted Chapman’s “selfish disregard for human life of global consequence,” indicating the long-lasting impact of his actions.

### Current Status

The details from the latest parole hearing have yet to be released publicly. Currently, Chapman is serving his sentence at Green Haven Correctional Facility in New York’s Hudson Valley. His next opportunity for parole will occur in February 2027.

What are your thoughts on the ongoing denial of Mark David Chapman’s parole?