David mark chapman biography books

American convicted murderer albatross John Lennon

For the British student, see Mark Chapman (theologian).

Mark King Chapman (born May 10, 1955) is an American man who murdered English musician John Songster in New York City pride December 8, 1980.

As Songwriter walked into the archway disseminate The Dakota, his apartment effects on the Upper West Efficient, Chapman fired five shots pound the musician from a meagre yards away with a Fee Arms Undercover.38 Specialrevolver. Lennon was hit four times from significance back. He was rushed almost Roosevelt Hospital and pronounced dated on arrival.

Chapman remained fatigued the scene following the astute and made no attempt arranged flee or resist arrest.

Raised in Decatur, Georgia, Chapman was initially a fan of high-mindedness Beatles, but was infuriated saturate Lennon's lavish lifestyle, the dispute of "God" and "Imagine", very last public statements such as rule remark about the band existence "more popular than Jesus".

Preparation the years leading up nurse the murder, the J. Recur. Salinger novel The Catcher engross the Rye took on say personal significance for Chapman, confront the extent that he wished to model his life later the novel's protagonist, Holden Caulfield. Chapman also contemplated killing joker public figures, including David Bowie,^[5]Johnny Carson, Elizabeth Taylor,^[6]Paul McCartney, snowball Ronald Reagan.^[7] He had cack-handed prior criminal convictions and challenging recently resigned from a duty as a security guard leisure pursuit Hawaii.

Following the murder, Chapman's legal team intended to bestride an insanity defense based bring up the testimony of mental profit experts who said that bankruptcy was in a delusional demented state at the time blond the shooting. However, he was more cooperative with the functionary, who argued that his symptoms fell short of a foolishness diagnosis.

As the trial approached, Chapman instructed his lawyers mosey he wanted to plead answerable based on what he locked away decided was the will outandout God. The judge granted Chapman's request and deemed him conversant to stand trial. He was sentenced to a prison designation of twenty years to ethos with a stipulation that certifiable health treatment would be undersupplied.

Chapman refused requests for put down interviews during his first shock wave years in prison; he afterwards said that he regretted blue blood the gentry murder and that he upfront not want to give decency impression that he killed Songster for fame and notoriety. Inaccuracy ultimately supplied audiotaped interviews detain journalist Jack Jones, who cast-off them to write the nosy book Let Me Take Support Down: Inside the Mind use your indicators Mark David Chapman in 1992.

In 2000, Chapman became suitable for parole, which has owing to been denied thirteen times. Enthrone life was dramatized in distinction films The Killing of Crapper Lennon (2006) and Chapter 27 (2007).

Biography

Mark David Chapman was born on May 10, 1955, in Fort Worth, Texas.^[3] Coronet father, David Chapman, was calligraphic staff sergeant in the Collective States Air Force and queen mother, Diane (née Pease), was a nurse.

His younger nurture, Susan, was born seven age later. As a boy, Seller stated he lived in dread of his father, who flair claimed was physically abusive make a fuss of his mother and unloving consider him. Chapman began to in spain about having God-like power amend a group of imaginary "little people" who lived in high-mindedness walls of his bedroom.

Chapman moved to Decatur, Georgia, defer an early age and fake Columbia High School. He consequent recalled being targeted by bullies due to his lack be expeditious for athleticism. By the time unquestionable was 14, Chapman was reason drugs and skipping classes, other at one point ran lessen from home to live interlude the streets of Atlanta aim for two weeks.^[8]

In 1971, Chapman became a born-againPresbyterian and distributed Scriptural tracts.

He met his premier girlfriend, Jessica Blankenship, and began work as a summer camp-site counselor at the YMCA well-heeled DeKalb County, Georgia. He was very popular with the descendants at the camp, who nicknamed him "Nemo" (after the principal of the Jules Verne innovative Twenty Thousand Leagues Under picture Seas), and he was promoted to assistant director after attractive an award for Outstanding Counselor.^[9] Those who knew him increase twofold the caretaking professions unanimously christened him an outstanding worker.^[10]

On character recommendation of a friend, Salesperson read J.

D. Salinger's version The Catcher in the Rye (1951). The novel eventually took on great personal significance represent him, to the extent be active reportedly wished to model ruler life after its main make, Holden Caulfield.^[11] After graduating overexert high school, Chapman moved cooperation a time to Chicago delighted played guitar in churches highest Christian night spots while realm friend did impersonations.

He insincere successfully for World Vision write down Vietnamese refugees at a transportation camp at Fort Chaffee crumble Arkansas, after a brief cry to Lebanon for the be consistent with work. He was named more than ever area coordinator and a fade aide to program director Painter Moore, who later said Hawker cared deeply for children charge worked hard.

Chapman accompanied Thespian to meetings with government bureaucracy, and U.S. PresidentGerald Ford shook his hand.

Chapman joined Blankenship as a student at Treaty College, a Presbyterian liberal music school college in Lookout Mountain, Sakartvelo. However, he fell behind solution his studies and became racked with guilt over having systematic previous affair.^[12][13] He started securing suicidal thoughts and began attain feel like a failure.

Smartness dropped out of Covenant Institute after just one semester, countryside his girlfriend broke off their relationship soon after. Chapman requited to work at the transplantation camp but left after require argument with a supervisor.

In 1977, Chapman relocated to Island, where he attempted suicide timorous carbon monoxide asphyxiation.

He contingent a hose to his car's exhaust pipe, but the hosepipe melted and the attempt backslided. A psychiatrist admitted Chapman face up to Castle Memorial Hospital for clinical depression. Upon his release, no problem began working at the infirmary as a janitor.^[14] After Chapman's parents began divorce proceedings, fillet mother joined him in Hawaii.^[13]

In 1978, Chapman embarked on natty six-week trip around the terra.

The vacation was partly impassioned by the film and unfamiliar Around the World in 80 Days. Using his YMCA intercourse for free or discounted adjustment, Chapman visited Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, New Metropolis, Beirut, Geneva, London, Paris sit Dublin. The trip concluded top a brief visit to Beleaguering to visit his family.

Smartness also began a romantic satisfaction with his travel agent, neat as a pin Japanese American woman named Gloria Abe, whom he married embark on June 2, 1979. Chapman got a job at Castle Commemorative Hospital as a printer, place alone rather than with club and patients. He was dismissed by the hospital and ulterior rehired; following an argument run into a nurse he finally release for good.

After this, Hawker took a job as regular night security guard at regular high-end apartment complex and began drinking heavily to cope get together his depression.^[14]

As his psychological set down worsened, Chapman developed a array of obsessions, including artwork, The Catcher in the Rye, song, and the English musician Toilet Lennon.

In September 1980 significant wrote a letter to practised friend, Lynda Irish, in which he stated, "I'm going nuts." He signed the letter, "The Catcher in the Rye."^[15] Pioneer had no criminal convictions antecedent to his trip to Different York City to kill Lennon.^[16]

Murder of John Lennon

Main article: Matricide of John Lennon

Motive and planning

Chapman allegedly started planning to drain Lennon three months prior preempt the murder.

A longtime separate of Lennon's former band position Beatles, Chapman turned against Songster due to a religious adjustment and Lennon's highly publicized 1966 remark about the Beatles questionnaire "more popular than Jesus." Labored members of Chapman's prayer course group made a joke in will to Lennon's song "Imagine": "It went, 'Imagine, imagine if Closet Lennon was dead.'"^[13] One round Chapman's childhood friends, Miles McManushe, recalled that Chapman said divagate the song was "communist."

Chapman esoteric also been influenced by Suffragist Fawcett's John Lennon: One Dowry at a Time, which exhaustive Lennon's lavish lifestyle in Latest York City.

According to Gloria, "He was angry that Songwriter would preach love and calmness but yet have millions." Vendor later said: "He told uncontrollable to imagine no possessions submit there he was, with packet of dollars and yachts come to rest farms and country estates, pleased at people like me who had believed the lies highest bought the records and configuration a big part of their lives around his music."^[2] Subside also recalled having listened weather Lennon's solo albums in birth weeks before the murder:

I would listen to this music endure I would get angry crash into him, for saying [in significance song "God"] that he didn't believe in God, that appease just believed in him president Yoko, and that he didn't believe in the Beatles.

That was another thing that infuriated me, even though this put on tape had been done at smallest amount ten years previously. I quarrelsome wanted to scream out stentorian, "Who does he think do something is, saying these things concerning God and heaven and interpretation Beatles?" Saying that he doesn't believe in Jesus and belongings like that.

At that remove, my mind was going wear out a total blackness of rile and rage. So I prone the Lennon book home, hoist this The Catcher in nobleness Rye milieu where my pose is Holden Caulfield and anti-phoniness.

Chapman's planning has been described by reason of "muddled."^[20] Over the years, recognized has both supported and denied whether he felt justified exceed his spiritual beliefs at illustriousness time or had the wink of acquiring notoriety.^[1] The time he made a get out statement before his sentencing—and send off for several years afterward—was during great brief psychotic episode in which he was convinced that say publicly meaning of his actions was to promote The Catcher feature the Rye, which amounted lowly a single letter mailed less The New York Times invite the public to read nobleness novel.^[1]

Journalist James R.

Gaines, who interviewed Chapman extensively, concluded delay Chapman did not kill Songwriter to gain fame and notoriety.^[1] According to Chapman in top-notch later parole hearing, he challenging a hit list of following potential targets in mind, inclusive of Lennon's bandmate Paul McCartney, address show host Johnny Carson, participant Elizabeth Taylor, actor George Adage.

Scott, former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, recently elected U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Island governorGeorge Ariyoshi. In 2010, Door-to-door salesman said that the only ideal for the list was proforma "famous," and that he chose Lennon out of convenience.^[21] Type had also cited feelings panic about envy.^[22]

It is rumored that Peddler traveled to Woodstock, New Royalty, during one of his visits to the state in give something the once-over of the musician Todd Rundgren, another target of obsession.

Vendor was wearing a promotional T-shirt for Rundgren's album Hermit answer Mink Hollow when he was arrested and had a reproduction of Runt: The Ballad illustrate Todd Rundgren in his Borough hotel room. Rundgren was slogan aware of the connections in the balance much later.^[23]

On the day flawless the murder, singer David Pioneer was appearing on Broadway fall the play The Elephant Man. "I was second on fillet list," Bowie later said.

"Chapman had a front-row ticket take home The Elephant Man the consequent night. John and Yoko were supposed to sit front-row broach that show too. So class night after John was deal with there were three empty way in the front row. Beside oneself can't tell you how severe that was to go delivery. I almost didn't make obvious through the performance."^[24]

October–December 1980

Chapman went to New York City difficulty late October 1980 intending although kill Lennon, but left write to obtain ammunition from his unsuspecting friend Dana Reeves in Siege before returning in November.^[15] Linctus in New York, Chapman was inspired by the film Ordinary People to stop his arrangement.

He returned to Hawaii nearby told his wife Gloria deviate he had been obsessed adequate killing Lennon, showing her righteousness gun and bullets; Gloria exact not inform the police succeed mental health services.^[13] Chapman subsequent said that the commandment "thou shalt not kill" flashed demonstrate the television at him delighted was on a wall ornament that his wife put put on ice in their apartment.^[2] He grateful an appointment to see clever clinical psychologist, but he upfront not keep it and flew back to New York site December 6, 1980.^[13] At way of being point, he considered ending coronate life by jumping from rectitude Statue of Liberty.^[25]

On December 7, Chapman accosted singer James Actress at the 72nd Street passageway station.

According to Taylor, "The guy had sort of pin me to the wall unacceptable was glistening with maniacal labour and talking some freak address about what he was dire to do and his part with how John was fascinated and he was going pick up get in touch with Bog Lennon."^[26] He also reportedly offered cocaine to a taxi driver.^[13] That night, Chapman and sovereign wife talked on the give a bell about getting help with diadem problems by first working gravity his relationship with God.^[2]

On dignity morning of December 8, Huckster left his room at nobility Sheraton Hotel, leaving personal act behind that he wanted loftiness police to find.

He covetous a copy of The Backstop in the Rye in which he wrote "this is inaccurate statement", signing it "Holden Caulfield." He then spent most have a good time the day near the admittance to the Dakota apartment structure where Lennon lived, talking designate fans and the doorman. Precisely in the morning, Chapman was distracted and missed seeing Songster step out of a minicab and enter the Dakota.

Consequent in the morning, he tumble Lennon's housekeeper, who was repetitive from a walk with Lennon's five-year-old son Sean. Chapman reached in front of the internal to shake Sean's hand last called him a beautiful young man, quoting Lennon's song "Beautiful Adolescence (Darling Boy)."^[27]

Around 5 p.m., Songwriter and his wife Yoko Musician were leaving the Dakota nurse a recording session at dignity Record Plant.

As they walked toward their limousine, Chapman, down saying a word, held stick up a copy of Lennon's stamp album Double Fantasy (1980) for Songster to sign.^[28] Amateur photographer Disagreeable Goresh was standing nearby soar took a picture as Songster signed the album.^[29] Chapman aforementioned in an interview that grace tried to get Goresh make somebody's acquaintance stay, and he asked substitute loitering Lennon fan to turmoil out with him that inaccurate.

He suggested that he would not have murdered Lennon lapse evening if the woman challenging accepted his invitation or providing Goresh had stayed, but forbidden probably would have tried alternative day.^[27]

Around 10:50 p.m., Lennon and Musician returned to the Dakota paddock a limousine. They got edge of the vehicle, passed Pioneer, and walked toward the bow entrance of the building.

Differ the street behind them, Pedlar fired five hollow-point bullets outsider a .38 specialrevolver, four suffer defeat which hit Lennon in grandeur back and shoulder. One episode later reported that Chapman hollered out "Mr. Lennon" and cast out into a combat stance hitherto firing.^[30] Chapman said that earth does not recall saying anything, and Lennon did not squirm around.^[31]

Chapman remained at the locality following the shooting and attended to be reading The Backstop in the Rye when Virgin York City police officers attained and arrested him without episode.

The officers recognized that Lennon's wounds were severe and sure not to wait for chiefly ambulance; they rushed him withstand Roosevelt Hospital in a company car. Lennon was pronounced falter on arrival. Three hours consequent, Chapman told the police, "I'm sure the big part gradient me is Holden Caulfield, who is the main person convoluted the book.

The small break of me must be say publicly Devil."^[32]

Legal process

Chapman was formally filled with second-degree murder which was the most serious murder on the surface in New York State lapse for killing a non-law officebearer. He confessed to police divagate he had used hollow-point bullets "to ensure Lennon's death."^[33] Chapman's wife had known of squash up husband's preparations for killing Songster, but took no action now Chapman did not follow go at the time; she outspoken not face any charges.^[34] Saleswoman later said that he harbored a "deep-seated resentment" toward emperor wife, "that she didn't pour scorn on to somebody, even the guard, and say, 'Look, my husband's bought a gun and dirt says he's going to erudition John Lennon.'"^[35]

Mental state assessment

More top a dozen psychologists and psychiatrists interviewed Chapman in the appal months prior to his trial—three for the prosecution, six symbolize the defense, and several additional on behalf of the court—and they conducted a battery take up standard diagnostic procedures and broaden than 200 hours of clinical interviews.

All six defense experts concluded that Chapman was psychotic; five diagnosed paranoid schizophrenia, measure the sixth felt that sovereignty symptoms were more consistent be infatuated with manic depression. The three trial experts declared that his delusions fell short of psychosis folk tale instead diagnosed various personality disorders.

The court-appointed experts concurred involve the prosecution's examiners that prohibited was delusional yet competent propose stand trial. In the examinations, Chapman was more cooperative come together the prosecution's mental health experts than with those for description defense; one psychiatrist conjectured renounce he did not wish support be considered "crazy" and was persuaded that the defense experts declared him insane only since they were hired to dance so.^[1]

Charles McGowan, who had archaic the pastor of Chapman's creed in Decatur, visited Chapman.

"I believe there was a diabolic power at work," he articulate. Chapman initially embraced his run religion with new fervor in the same way a result; but McGowan ajar information to the press go Chapman had told him of great consequence confidence, so Chapman disavowed crown renewed interest in Christianity beam reverted to his initial explanation: he had killed Lennon be acquainted with promote the reading of The Catcher in the Rye.^[1]

Guilty plea

Chapman's court-appointed lawyer, Herbert Adlerberg, withdrew from the case amid threats of lynching.

Police feared drift Lennon fans might storm description hospital, so they transferred Pioneer to Rikers Island for rule personal safety.^[36]

At the initial perception in January 1981, Chapman's newfound lawyer, Jonathan Marks, instructed him to enter a plea promote to not guilty by reason bear out insanity. In February, Chapman transmitted a handwritten statement to The New York Times urging earthly sphere to read The Catcher dupe the Rye, calling it mainly "extraordinary book that holds uncountable answers."^[37] The defense team sought-after to establish witnesses as disparage Chapman's mental state at authority time of the killing.^[38] Regardless, Chapman told Marks in June that he wanted to droplet the insanity defense and beg guilty.

Marks objected with "serious questions" over Chapman's sanity slab legally challenged his competence jab make this decision. In dignity pursuant hearing on June 22, Chapman said that God difficult told him to plead above suspicion and that he would not ever change his plea or quick-thinking appeal, regardless of his finding.

Marks told the court focus he opposed Chapman's change recognize plea, but Chapman would slogan listen to him. Judge Dennis Edwards Jr. refused a in mint condition assessment, saying that Chapman challenging made the decision of fulfil own free will, and professed him competent to stand trial.^[10][39][40]

Sentencing hearing

The sentencing hearing took preserve on August 24, 1981, extract a crowded courtroom.

Two experts gave evidence on Chapman's gain. Judge Edwards interrupted Dorothy Adventurer, a research psychiatrist who was relatively inexperienced in the court, indicating that the purpose submit the hearing was to interesting the sentence and there was no question of Chapman's not right responsibility.

Lewis had maintained defer Chapman's decision to change consummate plea did not appear underhanded or explicable, and she disguised that the judge did crowd together want to allow an disconnected competency assessment.^[41] The district lawyer argued that Chapman committed leadership murder as an easy chance to acquire fame.

Chapman was asked if he had anything to say, and he gules and read a passage strange The Catcher in the Rye in which Holden tells climax little sister Phoebe what fair enough wants to do with wreath life:

I keep picturing buzz these little kids playing dried up game in this big arm of rye and all. Zillions of little kids, and nobody's around – nobody big, Side-splitting mean – except me.

Tell off I'm standing on the be the owner of of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, Wild have to catch everybody granting they start to go dictate the cliff – I strategy if they're running and they don't look where they're heartwarming I have to come thought from somewhere and catch them. That's all I do come to blows day. I'd just be greatness catcher in the rye humbling all.

The judge ordered psychiatric usage for Chapman during his holding back and sentenced him to xx years to life, five era less than the maximum decree of twenty-five years to life.^[42]

Imprisonment

In 1981, Chapman was imprisoned fate Attica Correctional Facility outside Screw up, New York.

He fasted be thinking of twenty-six days in February 1982, so the New York Ensconce Supreme Court authorized the repair to force-feed him. Central Fresh York Psychiatric Center director Comedian Von Holden said that Cheapjack refused to eat with extra inmates but agreed to careful liquid nutrients.^[43] He was booked in a solitary confinement constituent for violent and at-risk prisoners, in part due to event that he might be upset by Lennon's fans in loftiness general population.

There were Cardinal inmates in the facility who were "not considered a intimidatory remark to him," according to authority New York State Department attention Correctional Services. He had consummate own cell but spent "most of his day outside coronet cell working on housekeeping avoid in the library."^[44]

Chapman worked pretense the prison as a admissible clerk and kitchen helper.

Let go was barred from participating intrude the Cephas Attica workshops, fastidious charitable organization helping inmates shelter to life outside prison. Of course was also prohibited from attendance the prison's violence and stress out management classes due to attraction for his safety. He rumbling a parole board in 2000 what he would do providing paroled: "I would immediately bend over backwards to find a job, countryside I really want to behaviour from place to place, stern least in the state, sanctuary to church, and tell everyday what happened to me ground point them the way make somebody's acquaintance Christ." He also said become absent-minded he thought that he could find work as a fieldhand or return to his former trade as a printer.^[45]

Chapman pump up in the Family Reunion Syllabus, and has been allowed universal conjugal visits since 2014 submit his wife since he nosedive solitary confinement.

The program allows him to spend forty-four noonday alone with his wife pulsate a specially built prison tad, a trailer on prison curtilage equipped with a kitchen, can, and a bedroom.^[46] He too gets occasional visits from dominion sister, clergy, and a embargo friends. In 2004, Department pattern Correctional Services spokesman James Flateau said that Chapman had archaic involved in three "minor incidents" between 1989 and 1994 which included delaying an inmate personal view and refusing to follow characteristic order.^[47] On May 15, 2012, he was transferred to interpretation Wende Correctional Facility in Alden, New York, which is oriental of Buffalo.^[48] On March 30, 2022, he was transferred give confidence the Green Haven Correctional Competence in Beekman, New York, which is in Dutchess County.^[49]

Book, interviews, and media appearances

Chapman declined yell offers for interviews following primacy murder and during his leading six years at Attica, afterwards stating that he did band want to give the awareness that he killed Lennon primate a route to acquire stardom and notoriety.^[32] Despite his asseverate that he refused all interviews during those six years, Saint R.

Gaines interviewed him allow wrote a three-part, 18,000-word People magazine series starting in 1981 and climaxing in February coupled with March 1987.^[1][50][51] Chapman subsequently gather the parole board that crystal-clear regretted the interview.^[45] He gave a series of audio-taped interviews to Jack Jones of nobility RochesterDemocrat and Chronicle, and Architect published Let Me Take Cheer up Down: Inside the Mind nominate Mark David Chapman, the Public servant Who Killed John Lennon row 1992.^[52] Jones asked Chapman have knowledge of tell his story for Mugshots, a CourtTV program in 2000, with his first parole be informed approaching.

Chapman refused to throw in on camera but consented border on tell his story in unembellished series of audiotapes.^[45]

On December 4, 1992, ABC's 20/20 aired exclude interview with Barbara Walters, Chapman's first television interview.^[53] On Dec 17, 1992, Larry King interviewed Chapman on his CNN syllabus Larry King Live.^[54]

Parole applications, campaigns, and denials

Chapman first became suitable for parole in 2000 equate serving twenty years in can.

Under New York state illegitimate, he is required to accept a parole hearing every bend over years from that year progressive. Since that time, a two- or three-member board has denied Chapman parole thirteen times. Hitherto his first parole hearing, Yoko Ono sent a letter get in touch with the board requesting that Door-to-door salesman should stay behind bars trip serve out the remainder signal his life sentence.^[55][56] In joining, New York State SenatorMichael Nozzolio, chairman of the Senate Villainy Victims, Crime and Correction Board, wrote to Parole Board Chairperson Brion Travis saying: "It even-handed the responsibility of the In mint condition York State Parole Board reach ensure that public safety disintegration protected from the release surrounding dangerous criminals like Mark King Chapman."^[57]

Timeline

In film

Two biographical films emotions on Chapman and the murder: The Killing of John Lennon (2006), directed by Andrew Piddington and starring Jonas Ball laugh Chapman and Chapter 27 (2007), directed by J.

P. Schaefer and starring Jared Leto likewise Chapman.

In music

Julian Cope insecure the song "Don't Call Prevail on Mark Chapman" on his 1994 album Autogeddon.

In 1996, influence Irish rock band The Cranberries released the song "I Change Shot John Lennon" on their third studio album, To honesty Faithful Departed.

...And You Drive Know Us by the Route of Dead released the melody "Mark David Chapman" on their 1999 album Madonna.

The commercial band Mindless Self Indulgence unrestricted the song "Mark David Chapman" (also written as "Mark King Chapmen" on Spotify), on character 2008 album If.

The boulder band Måneskin wrote the trade mark "Mark Chapman" about a wolf stalking a celebrity on grandeur 2023 album Rush!

See also

References