Courtesy of Wende Correctional FacilityJohn Lennon‘s killer, Mark David Chapman, was denied parole for a 10th time this past August, and now a transcript of the murderer’s latest parole hearing has been released by New York prison officials. During the hearing, the 63-year-old Chapman said he “feel[s] more and more shame” every year that passes about what he did.
Chapman admitted that when he shot the former Beatles star to death in December 1980, he was selfishly seeking notoriety, but now maintains he’s a changed man, thanks to his faith in Christianity. While in prison, Chapman has become a born-again Christian and founded a ministry with his wife.
That being said, Chapman said he didn’t believe he deserves to be released from prison. “I don’t think somebody that did what I did deserves anything,” he told the review board.
Also during the hearing, Chapman recalled that on the day he killed Lennon, the rock legend had been “incredible” to him, having signed his copy of the Double Fantasy album.
Reflecting on his thoughts that day, Chapman recalled, “I do remember having the thought of, hey, you have got the album now, look at this, he signed it, just go home but there was no way I was going to go home.” He maintained that he prayed to God and his conscience was undergoing “a tug of war,” but he ultimately decided to go through with the murder.
Looking at his crime today, Chapman said, “this whole thing was a senseless, senseless bunch of bologna, just senseless, cruel and senseless.”
In ruling to keep Chapman incarcerated, the New York Board of Parole explained, “The panel has determined that your release would be incompatible with the welfare and safety of society.” He will be eligible for parole again in 2020.
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