Mark David Chapman, who assassinated John Lennon in 1980, admitted at his most recent parole hearing that he wanted glory.
Chapman made the remarks in response to questions from the parole board last month, which denied him parole for the 11th time. Like a previous parole board hearing, the now 65-year-old inmate regretted shooting the former beetle outside the musician’s Manhattan apartment building.
“I killed him … because he was very, very famous and this is the only reason and I wanted so much, so, so, so much pride. According to a transcript released by the state on Monday following an open selfish request, Chapman said he is very selfish.
John Lane Killer, Mark David Chappan, Danude Parole for the 11th time
Looking back 40 years later, Chapman calls his actions “creepy” and “despicable.” He said he always thought about the pain he felt for Lennon’s wife, Yoko.
Mark David Chapman, who killed John Lennon outside a Manhattan apartment in 1980.
(By New York State Department of Corrections AP)
“I just want her to know that she knows her husband like no other and knows what kind of man he is. I didn’t, ”he said.
On December 8, 1980, Chapman shot and killed Lennon as he and Ono were returning to their Upper West Side apartment. Lane signed a tograph for Chapman earlier that day on a copy of the recently released album, “Double Fantasy.”
December 9, 1980: Crowds gather outside the Dakota apartment building after John Lennon lives there. She was returning home on the evening of December 8 when she was shot hours ago in front of the building.
(AP Photo / Ray Stablebin)
“He was really kind to me that day,” Chapman said.
Chapman is serving a 20-year life sentence at the Wendy Correctional Facility east of Buffalo. He told the board he would have “no complaints” if they chose to leave him in prison for the rest of his life.
John Lennon’s killer says he’s ashamed to kill the formal beetle: ‘I was too far ahead’
“I deserve zero, nothing. At the time, I was facing the death penalty. “When you deliberately plot to kill someone and know it’s wrong and you do it for yourself, I think it’s a death penalty,” he said.
While denying him parole, the board said Chapman had committed an “evil act” and said he had received his statement that “defamation brings you pride”.
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Chapman will return to parole in August 2022.
The Associated Press contributes to this report.
