rockin'robin
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(Aug. 6) -- Mark David Chapman, infamous as the murderer of John Lennon, is set for his latest chance at release. He will stand before a three-member panel from the New York State Division of Parole next week.
After nearly 30 years in the New York state prison system, the hearing will mark the sixth time that Chapman has appeared before a parole board since first becoming eligible in October 2000. The 55-year-old lives in a separate unit away from the general prison population and has held a clean record of behavior since 1994. His five previous parole hearings came in October 2000, October 2002, October 2004, October 2006 and August 2008.
As previously reported by AOL News, Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, has, not surprisingly, submitted a formal letter -- her sixth in as many hearings -- to the parole board opposing Chapman's release. Ono believes that releasing Chapman may put her and Lennon's sons in danger, as well as leave Chapman himself susceptible to death threats from the public.
Public death threats toward Chapman emerging in light of his potential parole are well documented among Lennon supporters. Robert Gangi, head of a prisoners rights group known as the Correctional Association of America, noted the likelihood of outrage should Chapman be released.
"Given that he committed a high-profile crime and he killed one of the most famous and most beloved figures literally in the world, it's highly unlikely three parole commissioners would vote to grant him release," Gangi told the New York Daily News.
John Lennon Murderer Mark David Chapman Set to Go Before New York Parole Board Again
After nearly 30 years in the New York state prison system, the hearing will mark the sixth time that Chapman has appeared before a parole board since first becoming eligible in October 2000. The 55-year-old lives in a separate unit away from the general prison population and has held a clean record of behavior since 1994. His five previous parole hearings came in October 2000, October 2002, October 2004, October 2006 and August 2008.
As previously reported by AOL News, Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, has, not surprisingly, submitted a formal letter -- her sixth in as many hearings -- to the parole board opposing Chapman's release. Ono believes that releasing Chapman may put her and Lennon's sons in danger, as well as leave Chapman himself susceptible to death threats from the public.
Public death threats toward Chapman emerging in light of his potential parole are well documented among Lennon supporters. Robert Gangi, head of a prisoners rights group known as the Correctional Association of America, noted the likelihood of outrage should Chapman be released.
"Given that he committed a high-profile crime and he killed one of the most famous and most beloved figures literally in the world, it's highly unlikely three parole commissioners would vote to grant him release," Gangi told the New York Daily News.
John Lennon Murderer Mark David Chapman Set to Go Before New York Parole Board Again