Thread: John Lennon's Killer

It has been 30 years since John Lennon was senselessly murdered by John Chapman. Do you think Mr. Lennon's killer should be released from prison? I find it a bit odd that Yoko Ono, John's wife, who, like the former Beatle, preached peace and love, won't forgive the man who took John from her. I mean, what good is peace and love without forgiveness?

Mark David Chapman parole denied

Mark David Chapman was sentenced to 20 years to life, according to ABC. He began his sentence in 1981, after pleading guilty to the second degree murder of John Lennon. He was first eligible for parole in 2000, but it was rejected. He has been eligible every two years since, and he was able to request parole again this year. He was denied for the sixth time, as the parole board felt his release would not be in the best interests of the community. Yoko Ono, John Lennon’s widow, has opposed his release every time he has come up for parole.


Do you think Mark David Chapman has paid for his crime and that he should be released from prison?

Personally I believe a life sentence for premeditated murder should mean life. The man should die in prison. Regarding your point about forgiveness; put yourself in her position, would you be able to forgive the person who murdered your husband/wife? I wouldn't be able to, and yet I would like to think that shouldn't prevent me from believing in peace and love. It's an interesting point to raise.

I find it a bit odd that Yoko Ono, John's wife, who, like the former Beatle, preached peace and love, won't forgive the man who took John from her.

You find it a bit odd, do you? Maybe you could relate to her feelings more if your husband and the father of your child had been shot and killed in front of you.

I don’t think it’s up to you or anyone to judge Yoko Ono or to decide whether or not she should forgive Chapman.

Peace. Love. Forgiveness.

Triplets? Or not?

I wouldn't want anyone to have to experience her horror. In my own opinion, I believe forgiveness is part of the healing process.

Forgiveness is a place that a person has to find within him/herself. It isn't a rule that can be imposed and neither can someone be judged for failing to find that place, specially under such circumstances.

Trivia time:

First person to name the book he was holding in his hand when he shot Lennon gets a cookie! (come on, this is easy)

As to what should happen to him:

Without getting into a big debate (I believe in the death penalty philosophically but not practically/pragmatically), since he was not executed, he should be sentenced to hard labor. There's enough trash on the side of the roads for these people to pick up without watching TV all day.

Originally Posted by Robinjazz

Peace. Love. Forgiveness.

Triplets? Or not?

That’s too simplistic. Peace, love and forgiveness are different things. Just because they’ve been lumped together in folk songs and on posters with sunsets, doesn’t mean they’re linked inexorably or that one is dependent on the other. That’s just hippy talk, man.

Originally Posted by VcatoV

Trivia time:

First person to name the book he was holding in his hand when he shot Lennon gets a cookie! (come on, this is easy)

As to what should happen to him:

Without getting into a big debate (I believe in the death penalty philosophically but not practically/pragmatically), since he was not executed, he should be sentenced to hard labor. There's enough trash on the side of the roads for these people to pick up without watching TV all day.

Catcher in the Rye. I don't think there can be many who don't know that. I'll take the cookie any way.

I think it goes in this order...Love, forgive and know peace. Agree with Baron though. It is in one's own good time.

Originally Posted by JosephB

That’s too simplistic. Peace, love and forgiveness are different things. Just because they’ve been lumped together in folk songs and on posters with sunsets, doesn’t mean they’re linked inexorably or that one is dependent on the other. That’s just hippy talk, man.

People who have murdered have been released after serving just 10, 12, or 15 years. Sometimes, I wonder whether the length of the sentence has anything to do with the importance of the murdered individual.



"Forgive them. They know not what they do."

This quote applies to all in the flesh.

Originally Posted by Baron

Catcher in the Rye. I don't think there can be many who don't know that. I'll take the cookie any way.

Yay! *gives homemade chocolate chip cookie* (hope you like chocolate).

And sadly, there are a lot of people who didn't know that...in fact, many don't even know what that book even is.

Originally Posted by Robinjazz

People who have murdered have been released after serving just 10, 12, or 15 years. Sometimes, I wonder whether the length of the sentence has anything to do with the importance of the murdered individual.



"Forgive them. They know not what they do."

This quote applies to all in the flesh.

On a spiritual level you seem to have no understanding of grace. I refer to my previous comment. If you try to apply forgiveness as a law, or love for that matter, then it has no reality.

I believe he should be released from prison to enjoy the rest of his life when John Lennon can be returned from death to enjoy the rest of his life.

Until that happens, I am pleased that we have a murderer safely away from the general population and are spared from more songs like "Imagine".

Originally Posted by Robinjazz

Do you think Mark David Chapman has paid for his crime and that he should be released from prison?

Nah, I think murderers should stay locked up. But who's to say Ono can't forgive chapman and oppose his release? Can't we forgive and still punish?

Ono said that she would again oppose parole for Chapman stating that her safety and that of John's sons would be at risk, as would Chapman's

I don't see how Yoko Ono's reasoning can necessarily be interpreted as a lack of forgiveness.