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.
You should stay in prison until you die.
Posted by: JohnDoe | August 12, 2008 at 02:20 PM
I agree. This nut belongs in prison forever, after which he should be stuffed and mounted.
Posted by: hardfreeze | August 12, 2008 at 02:32 PM
That was real creative JohnDoe.
Anyways, I couldn't agree with you more Dan. This guy deserves to sit in jail for the rest of his life. I'd love to hear how good or bad life is for him in there. I'm really hoping it's horrible.
Posted by: MarkDanger | August 12, 2008 at 02:55 PM
If those around him believe he poses no danger to others, he should be released based on the sentence he received. (Personally, I don't think murderers should be eligible for parole.)
The fact that he killed John Lennon, in our justice system, shouldn't matter one iota.
Posted by: John | August 12, 2008 at 03:03 PM
That's so very true. Aside from being a clear cut case of life without parole, there is a very real possibility that this guy would be in physical danger if he were ever let free. As far as a Jack Ruby, maybe not, but definitely some sort of danger.
Posted by: Puablo | August 12, 2008 at 03:03 PM
I say let him out, let the word out exactly when and where and hold a raffle to guess how long it takes for someone to get at him. He should be dealt with by the same society he robbed John Lennon from. For all of us who grew up and think of Lennon as a part of our lives. The taxpayers have shouldered more then enough burden by keeping him in jail since 1980. He shouldv'e been put to death 28 years ago for the premeditated murder he committed on that winter day in New York.
Posted by: Don Knutsen | August 12, 2008 at 03:29 PM
i'm nonviolent. but you're right, this guy wouldn't last 24 hours on the streets a free man save a serious effort to hide him away...
Posted by: andrew | August 12, 2008 at 03:30 PM
John Lennon was more than just music he was something very scarce in this time of our lives, he was touched by God to do what he did get inside or head and make us think about all the bad and all the good,he brought us toghether by music and his work to keep all mankind in harmony with each other,rock on lennon you were the man as far as i'm concerned.
Collin
Posted by: collin | August 12, 2008 at 03:52 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
What would John Lennon do?
Posted by: What would John Lennon do? | August 13, 2008 at 01:26 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
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
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
Let's all ask one question: what would John Lennon say?
Posted by: dilton | August 13, 2008 at 07:03 AM