Mark David Chapman
Date: December 9, 1980
Location: New York City, New York
Crime: Murder - John Lennon
On December 8, 1980, Mark David Chapman stood across the street from Central Park in New York, in front of the Dakota apartment building where John Lennon lived with his wife Yoko and young son, Sean. He spent most of the day there, talking with fans and the doorman. Later in the evening John and Yoko left the building to go to a recording session. Before getting into their limo, Chapman shook hands with Lennon and asked him to autograph a copy of his album, Double Fantasy. After John and Yoko left, Chapman stayed. Around 10:49pm John and Yoko returned to the Dakota. They both got out and walked up to the doorway, when Chapman fired five shots at Lennon with a .38 special revolver. Lennon was pronounced dead at 11:15pm.
Chapman was charged with second degree murder. His lawyers originally pleaded “not guilty” by reason of insanity. Chapman later changed his plea to guilty. He was sentenced to 20 years to life.
Chapman is currently imprisoned in the Attica Correctional Facility outside of Buffalo, New York. In 2000 was his first parole hearing, and he was denied. He has had a parole hearing every two years since 2000, and has been denied every time.
