Mark David Chapman has been denied parole for the fourteenth time. The man who murdered Beatles legend John Lennon in 1980 will remain in prison.
The decision comes as the 45th anniversary of the killing approaches. A transcript from his recent hearing has been made public. During the hearing, the 70-year-old Chapman explained his motive. He admitted he shot John Lennon “to be somebody.”
According to the transcript, Chapman stated, “This was for me and me only, unfortunately, and it was because of his popularity. My crime was completely selfish.”His confession has caused sadness and anger among Lennon’s fans worldwide.
From NY POSTcast: Deranged killer Mark David Chapman gunned down John Lennon over a pathetic desire to “be a somebody,” he recently told a parole board, ahead of the shocking crime’s 45th anniversary. Subscribe here: https://t.co/ITnbbpmPkL pic.twitter.com/FLu6nXNCt3
— New York Post (@nypost) October 21, 2025On December 8, 1980, Chapman waited outside the Dakota apartment building in New York. He shot John Lennon four times in the back. Earlier that same day, Chapman had met Lennon and asked for an autograph. After the murder, he remained at the scene reading ‘The Catcher in the Rye.’
He has previously said the book influenced his actions. He considered Lennon a “phoney,” like the characters he read about.
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The New York State Board of Parole rejected Chapman’s release. They concluded that he still lacks “genuineness and significant empathy” for his crime.
Although Chapman expressed regret, the board did not find it convincing. Chapman is serving a 20 20-year-to-life sentence at Green Haven Prison. His next opportunity to apply for parole will be in 2027.
