By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-922663.mp3
Albany, NY – John Lennon's killer has once again been denied parole in New York - It was the sixth try for freedom for the former maintenance man who has spent nearly 30 years at Attica prison. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
55-year old Mark David Chapman is serving a sentence of 20 years to life in prison for the shooting death of Beatle John Lennon outside Lennon's New York City apartment on December 8, 1980. Chapman met with a three-member Parole Board panel via video conference. He was informed of the panel's most recent finding a few hours after the hearing. Quoting from the Parole Board's written decision:
THIS PANEL REMAINS CONCERNED, HOWEVER, ABOUT THE DISREGARD YOU DISPLAYED FOR THE NORMS OF OUR SOCIETY AND THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE WHEN, AFTER CAREFUL PLANNING, YOU TRAVELLED TO NEW YORK FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF KILLING JOHN LENNON.
The state Division of Parole is expected to release a transcript of the interview within the next several days. Gordon Thompson, Professor of Music at Skidmore College, teaches about the Beatles... he compared the night John Lennon Died with the Kennedy assassinations.
Lennon looms large in pop culture - he would have turned 70 this October 9th - The Egg in Albany has scheduled "The John Lennon Birthday Tribute" to be held Wednesday, October 6, 7:00 PM.
Lennon's widow Yoko Ono plans "We Are Plastic Ono Band" tribute shows, featuring Lady Gaga, Iggy Pop and others, Oct. 1-2 in Los Angeles. She'll be in Iceland on Lennon's birthday for a concert and the annual Imagine Peace Tower ceremony.
Mark David Chapman is next eligible for a parole interview in August 2012.