Protecting Lennon's killer from the rest of us
Mark David Chapman, the deeply disturbed, possibly schizophrenic killer who gunned down John Lennon in 1980, was denied parole today for the fifth time. It was the right decision, even if at this point it's unclear whether society needs to be protected from Chapman or Chapman needs to be protected from society.
There was never any trial for Chapman, who was sentenced to 20 years to life after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. To many Lennon fans, that seems like an injustice given that by Chapman's own admission the 1980 killing was premeditated: Chapman staked out Lennon's Central Park apartment building, the Dakota, for days before the opportunity arose to pump four hollow-point bullets into the former Beatle's back. That should have guaranteed life without parole if not the death penalty for Chapman, except that the killer was so unhinged that had the case gone to trial there's a strong chance he would have gotten off on an insanity defense.
Today, Chapman is housed apart from the general population at Attica prison because of his notoriety. But if he's in danger from Lennon fans among his fellow prisoners, it's not hard to imagine (no pun intended) somebody pulling a Jack Ruby on him if he ever gets out. I'm all for being sympathetic to the mentally ill, but Chapman should stay in prison until he dies.
I'll give peace a chance after I rip MDC's arm off and beat him to death with it.
Posted by: DG | August 28, 2008 at 10:37 AM
I will not share my freedom with that individual. The race is on should he ever get out. He would be on the run for the rest of his very short life.
Posted by: J.R. | August 17, 2008 at 07:59 AM
I hope he spends the rest of his days behind bars. Who is the poor mis=guided soul that married him?
Posted by: Blackie | August 14, 2008 at 12:45 AM
For those of you with a few brain cells to spare, you MUST know that my post referred to the guy in jail that everyone hates, and that we want him out ... for a reason.
Bill Wilkins, CEO
Melted Metal Web Radio
http://www.meltedmetal.com/
Reference:
One needs to take a look at the group of people who knew and loved John Lennon. Every rock, jazz, pop, country, and R&B musician over the age of 40, truly hates his guts. We are talking about a wealth group worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
Calmly, they say, ".. let him out."
Posted by: Melted Metal Web Radio | August 13, 2008 at 01:31 PM
(RE: Thank god metal heads are a flea-beaten, sewer-dwelling minority, along with the musically vapid imbeciles who "hate Lennon's guts" - Luther Brixton - 40+ jazz musician)
Hey Luther:
Just want you to know that went to Bentley College, Berkeley School of Music, and worked at Silicon Valley start ups for 8 years, and was a engineer and system architect at 6 major LA recording studios. I play jazz, rock, R&B, and anything else you've ever heard. You sound more like "a flea-beaten, sewer-dwelling minority" than any metal band I have ever known. Music is music, and you, of all people, should know that.
Bill Wilkins, CEO
Melted Metal Web Radio
http://www.meltedmetal.com/
Posted by: Melted Metal Web Radio | August 13, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Friends and Fans, Great news!
One must reflect Murder or Assassination? In 1989 English lawyer Fenton Bresler published a book titled, "The Murder of John Lennon." I highly recommend this book. From the back cover -
The tragic shooting of John Lennon in December 1980 so shocked the world that little attention was paid to the man who shattered the dreams of a generation. (mine) It was commonly believed, and also the official theory of the prosecution, that Mark Chapman was a psychotic fan or ex-fan wanting to make history.
Yet it is distinctly odd that Chapman gunned down his man with the speed and accuracy of a marksman; his airline ticket from Honolulu to New York was 'doctored'; and he spent a secret and unaccountable three days in Chicago. John Lennon was stalked and slain with the method of a political assassin.
For years the CIA had targeted Lennon as a representative of dangerous political subversion. And they knew he was the only man who could bring out a million people to demonstrate against the reationary policies of Ronald Reagan, the newly elected president. No doubt the trial would provide the answers - but there was no trial.
Fenton Bresler, a distinguished British barrister, is convinced that Chapman was brainwashed byt the CIA. He has spent nearly eight years investigating the murder. This book is the extraordinary and perturbing result of his research. Read this book!
Posted by: martha | August 13, 2008 at 12:27 PM
John Lennon would say: "I don't want to die, I want to retire in Ireland with Yoko looking at our scrapbook of all the craziness we went through."
"I want to set things straight with Julian and be a real
father."
"I want to settle things with Paul and write with him again."
"I want to be there besides George when he passes away and tell him how much I love him."
Unfortunately, we won't know what John Lennon has to say, but I think he would be pissed!
Posted by: Tim Murphy | August 13, 2008 at 09:40 AM
"Every rock, jazz, pop, country, and R&B musician over the age of 40, truly hates his guts."
-Melted Metal Web Radio
Truly the most insane comment here. Some dirtbag metal-head whose idea of "good music" is mindless, beavis-&-butthead, audio-noise thinks that what he believes is what EVERYONE believes.
Thank god metal heads are a flea-beaten, sewer-dwelling minority, along with the musically vapid imbeciles who "hate Lennon's guts"
Luther Brixton
40+ jazz musician
Posted by: Luther Brixton | August 13, 2008 at 09:25 AM
Let's all ask one question: what would John Lennon say?
Posted by: dilton | August 13, 2008 at 07:03 AM
These comments are certainly not what John would have wanted to read...
Every single person suggesting violence againt MDC on this forum, while claiming to be a John Lennon fan, should be ashamed.
Clearly, MDC is guilty of a crime against humanity. But, what good is our humanity without humanity? The sentence of 20 years to life is just. The chances of him ever walking free are very slim. Even if he does, a "Lennon" fan will certainly keep him from walking very far.
No one can bring back John, but we can all push humanity forward by listening to what he sang.
Posted by: Doom | August 13, 2008 at 02:39 AM
Whoever said John Lennon would not want Mark David Chapman killed is completely wrong. If Chapman had killed Ringo, Paul, or George, John would kill him himself.
Posted by: Christine | August 13, 2008 at 01:45 AM
If only MDC had listened to Johns songs, he might still be around today,yet we have all lost one of the greatest song writers of all time, i could never forgive that piece of scum,or any other low life that takes someones life away.
there are some moments in your life that you never forget
the loss of John Lennon is one of those moments.you are a truth to us all John. i will sing your songs foever.
Posted by: Robert Ennis | August 13, 2008 at 01:40 AM
What would John Lennon do?
Posted by: What would John Lennon do? | August 13, 2008 at 01:26 AM
Woo hoo...somebody shot someone else. Oh yeah, "but it's John Lennon".
I actually pity people who hero worship, to the point of deifying their object of devotion.
It's so pathological it's not even funny.
Can't any of you get a life? Can't any of you move on?
Sheesh!
Posted by: hunter1999 | August 13, 2008 at 12:51 AM
This murderous bastard actually gets to have conjugal visits and he is something of a jailhouse legal authority who is protected and isolated from the general inmate population. As a New York taxpayer, I resent having to pick up the tab for his deluxe accomodations.
This A-hole should be breaking rocks in the hot sun until he expires from shear exhaustion; but no, he gets special privileges and the attention he so craves.
I'm sorry, but I have no sympathy for MDC.
He should be put in the general population of inmates where justice would be quickly meted out..
Posted by: new_york_loner | August 12, 2008 at 09:27 PM
So far, the justice system has been working concerning keeping this guy off the streets. This "Chapman" denied a woman her devoted husband and his children thier father. The best service we could give Mr. Lennon is to remember him as a great artist and a person. Also do our very best to deny "Chapman" a place in history which he was seeking. Sick or not the man is scum and a monster with no soul or regret for the pain he's caused looking for cheap glory. Make him vanish and be forgotten.
Posted by: Campbell | August 12, 2008 at 09:15 PM
One needs to take a look at the group of people who knew and loved John Lennon. Every rock, jazz, pop, country, and R&B musician over the age of 40, truly hates his guts. We are talking about a wealth group worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
Calmly, they say, ".. let him out."
Bill Wilkins, CEO
Melted Metal Web Radio
http://www.meltedmetal.com/
Posted by: Bill Wilkins | August 12, 2008 at 09:09 PM
He should be released into the general prison population and left to fend for himself. In this case we should trust the convicts to make it right. He deserves whatever happens to him. I know in my heart that John Lennon would forgive him,....but I cannot and will never forgive him. I know that allot of you disagree with me on this, but that's the way I feel about it. Have a good evening.
Posted by: Olddog | August 12, 2008 at 08:29 PM
George Harrison said the best thing anyone could do is never mention this worms name again. It was all about getting his 15 minutes of fame. I hate the fact they are even making movies about his life. He should be erased and forgotten.
I can't express the hate i feel for this piece of dirt. As far as I'm concerned he hasn't begun to pay for what he has taken from Yoko and family, much less Lennon's fans. Maybe you can forgive him, but I just want fifteen minutes alone with him and a baseball bat.
RIP John Lennon, the world is sad place to be without your presence.
Posted by: Tim | August 12, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Forget for a moment that someone who contributed to society was gunned down in cold blood. What would you think if someone you knew and loved was snuffed out by a total stranger . I don't know or care about the psychological diagnosis .. hopefully there is even more accountability in the next life. Call it petty but in the future I would like to know where MDC's gravestone is and I will be happy to pee on it every December 8
Posted by: Dave Henry | August 12, 2008 at 05:55 PM
Even more than the death of some of my close family, John's death tears at me, the tears still come, the loss burns from the inside - even these 28 (!) years later.
To forgive this poor sap is an expression of the Real Love that John's life and work tried to express - and he of course was as imperfect as any of us.
It would have been just as hard for John to do as it is for us.
But we should.
Posted by: Stan Miller | August 12, 2008 at 04:51 PM
My first trip to Manhattan was great. I was excited after seeing The Met and the Central Park gardens in the NY summer sun. I sat down on a shady bench to rest and call my wife about my day half way down the West side. There was a looming street performer playing guitar remarkably well but singing very badly. It seemed purposefully so. I was trying to ignore him so I could concentrate on my call. Afterward, I noticed the guy was singing Strawberry Fields Fooooreeeevverrrrrrr over and over. It didn't register. Then I went down a path and saw a crowd of about 30 people around the spot. It hit me, this was where it happened. Its still so sad and very real. I'm not even a Beatles fan, but I do appreciate their contribution to the world. Civilization should be beyond an eye for an eye. In this case, how would one repay something lost of humanity? It seems fair to leave Chapman ponder his contribution to the world a little longer. Maybe that street performer should visit Chapman with his rendition of Attica Halls - Fooorrreverrrrrrrr. I hope there is a good cold echo there.
Posted by: bmrowe23 | August 12, 2008 at 04:47 PM
John Lennon's biggest issue was "peace", so I'm certain he would not want any fan of his to harbor
a thirst for this miscreant's blood. I know of no solution to the expense of housing people like this, but
we must do so as this is society's burden. Killing someone for any crime is barbaric and my faith in
Christ says that none of us should cast that first stone. However the blessed freedom to walk the earth
cannot be returned to insane killers like this one. Forgiveness is something we all need to work at, but
never turn your back on what possesses the criminal mind.
Posted by: Doug | August 12, 2008 at 04:44 PM
What would John Lennon do? Seriously, how would John Lennon want this resolved?
Anyone that would kill MDC (as tempting as it may be) has clearly missed the point of John's writings. How could anyone, after listening to the Beatles, want to kill anyone?
MDC's sentence was 20 years to life. The parole board has come to the correct conclusion. They have decided to continue to protect the public and MDC.
Posted by: Doom | August 12, 2008 at 04:39 PM
Mr. Turner,
What's that famous saying... "The true measure of a society (or civilization) is in how they treat their ______ and their _______?
Well, I may not remember that but I do know we have the highest incarceration rate of any developed nation on the planet (even worse than those evil commie countries Russia, Cuba, and China!) And yet we're building more prisons all the time! And increasing minimum sentences, too, just to make sure they don't end up half empty- that would be a real waste.
Yep, gotta get tough with them evildoers, doncha know!
(Unless it's one of our own local white good-old-boys, then it's another matter ('cause everyone knows they just "had a bad day.") (Even if it's about the 10th "bad day" they've had in the past five years!)
And to heck with left-wing liberal nonsense like mental illness, constitutional rights, international treaties and the like. (Unless, of course, it's one of our white good-old-boys in trouble, then it's a different matter entirely.)
It's a darn good thing we're the good guys, eh?
Posted by: BleedingHeartLiberal | August 12, 2008 at 04:37 PM