Mark David Chapman

On December 8, 1980, Mark David Chapman gunned down singer-songwriter John Lennon of the British rock band The Beatles. Chapman was sentenced to a prison term of 20 years to life for Lennon's murder. In August 2008, he was denied parole for a fifth time, having been declared a continuing threat to the public. The Parole Board had received a petition and 50 letters in opposition to his release.

The Murder

On December 8, 1980, John Lennon met Chapman and signed a record album for him. Later that evening, Chapman waited in front of the Dakota building for Lennon to return home. Reportedly under the delusion that Lennon was a phony and should die, Chapman shot the musician numerous times in the back with a Charter Arms .38 pistol. Chapman's obsession with J.D. Salinger's novel The Catcher in the Rye is rumored to have been the motivation behind the murder.

Life In Prison

Chapman's wife, Gloria Hiroko Chapman, visits him at least once a year at the Attica Correctional Facility. During the visit, they are able to spend 44 consecutive hours alone for conjugal reasons. Chapman works in the prison law library and cleans offices. For his protection, he lives apart from the general prison population.

Quotes

"With his one act of violence in those few seconds, the subject managed to change my whole life, devastate his sons, and bring deep sorrow and fear to the world. It was, indeed, the power of destruction at work."—Yoko Ono

"I went to the building. It's called the Dakota. I stayed there until he came out and asked him to sign my album. At that point my big part won and I wanted to go back to my hotel, but I couldn't. I waited until he came back. He came in a car. Yoko walked past first and I said hello, I didn't want to hurt her. Then John came and looked at me and passed me. I took the gun from my coat pocket and fired at him. I can't believe I could do that."—Mark David Chapman