Lennon's Killer Revealed the Motives for His Crime

John Lennon's murderer Mark David Chapman told the parole board that he committed the crime in 1980 out of a "pathetic desire to be somebody." According to the New York Post, the confession was made during hearings coinciding with the 45th anniversary of the murder, but it did not convince the commission - his parole was denied again.

According to the transcript of the conversation, 70-year-old Chapman, who is serving a life sentence at Green Haven Correctional Facility (Dutchess County), admitted that his action was "completely selfish" and related to Lennon's popularity.

"I wanted to be famous, to be somebody I wasn't," he said.

In prison, Chapman studies the Bible and plays volleyball. At the recent hearing, he once again expressed regret for his actions, called Lennon "a human being" and asked forgiveness for the pain he caused.

Nevertheless, the commission concluded that Chapman did not show "genuine remorse or deep empathy" for the victims, and left the denial decision unchanged. He will be able to submit his next parole petition in 2027.