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Mark David ChapmanJohn Dennon killer
Date of Birth: 10.05.1955
Country:  USA |
Content:
Mark David Chapman: A Biography
Mark David Chapman, the killer of John Lennon, may be released from prison next month. His request for early parole will be considered on October 4. Lennon's fans have promised that if Chapman is released, he will not live another day. In 1981, Mark David Chapman was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of former member of the legendary band The Beatles, John Lennon, committed by him a year earlier. However, according to US laws, after 20 years from the time of the crime, he gained the right to petition for early release every two years. Chapman took advantage of this opportunity as soon as it became available to him in 2000. He told the parole board at the time that he had "overcome his psychological problems" and was no longer a danger to society. However, Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, stated that neither she nor Lennon's children, Julian and Sean, would feel safe if Chapman were released from prison. Moreover, the killer angered Lennon's fans by stating that the singer would have forgiven him: "I think he would have been generous, he would have taken care of me." As a result, a special committee decided to keep Chapman in prison. The subsequent hearings in 2002 coincided with John Lennon's 62nd birthday, and Chapman was not granted freedom again. His third plea for clemency will be considered by the New York State Board of Parole on October 4. Officials are currently refusing to make predictions about the upcoming hearing, but Lennon's fans sincerely hope that Chapman will be denied again. In connection with this, a petition has already been started on one of the internet sites, calling on the board to reject the request and deprive Chapman of the right to clemency altogether. Otherwise, Lennon's fans threaten to take matters into their own hands. "Chapman must be executed. If that is not done, I will gladly take care of him myself," wrote a fan from Finland. "Mark David Chapman is a bloody killer. He does not deserve to be released from prison not only for what he did to John Lennon, but also for what he did to Julian, Sean, Yoko, Ringo, George, Paul, and all of us. Let him rot in prison!" wrote another fan. "If Chapman is released from prison, he will not live another day. Too many people want him dead." Interestingly, the New York Police Department has officially refused to provide security for Chapman if he is released. "Guarding a former criminal is not the job of the police. If necessary, Chapman's security should be provided by the parole board," said a spokesperson for the New York Police Department.
Early Life and Influences
Mark David Chapman was born to a bank employee, David, and a homemaker, Diana Chapman, in North Carolina in October 1955. At the age of 15, Chapman, who had a strong desire to assert himself, grew out his hair, began smoking marijuana, and carried a Bible with him, quoting from it at every opportunity. At 16, Chapman joined the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). In 1975, as part of a humanitarian mission, he even traveled to Lebanon, where he recruited new members for the organization and preached Christian values according to the interpretation of the YMCA. In addition, Chapman was passionate about music and played the guitar quite well. His idols were rock stars like Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, and, of course, John Lennon. Starting in 1977, Chapman began experiencing severe bouts of depression, as his career and personal life remained unsettled. During this time, he became disillusioned with Lennon, claiming that he had "sold out, trading dreams for wealth." Chapman often initiated conversations about the leader of The Beatles being a "traitor" and even married Gloria Abe, an American of Japanese descent, in an attempt to emulate his idol.
The Murder of John Lennon
On October 27, 1980, Mark David Chapman purchased a handgun and began wandering around New York, carefully considering a plan. Later, during the trial, he would claim that an "inner voice" urged him to kill Lennon, speaking to him through "little people." Throughout the day on December 8, Chapman stayed near the musician's home, surrounded by his fans. He even managed to get Lennon's autograph himself, as the musician signed his last album, "Double Fantasy," for him at 4:30 pm. Eight hours later, when Lennon's limousine stopped in front of his home and he headed towards the entrance, Chapman called out to him. The musician stopped and turned in response. Five shots rang out, all hitting their target. Mark David Chapman made no attempt to escape. He was immediately arrested and sent for a psychiatric evaluation. After a year-long trial, Chapman was sentenced to life imprisonment. In his final statement at the sentencing, the killer said, "Lord, Lennon knows that there are two of us. I have to reduce us to one. In him, I killed my doppelgänger."
