During his parole hearing, in which he was denied parole for the sixth time, Mark David Chapman discussed his other possible targets with the board—but over the years he's forgotten many of them! In a 1987 interview with People magazine, Chapman says aside from John Lennon, he also considered killing Paul McCartney, George C. Scott, Elizabeth Taylor, Johnny Carson, Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis, (now former) Hawaii Governor George Ariyoshi, and Ronald Reagan (who was President at the time). The NY Post reports that at his recent parole board hearing, however, he could only remember Carson and Taylor. more ›

In unsurprising news: John Lennon's killer, Mark David Chapman, was denied parole again yesterday. The AP reports that a State Division of Parole board decided not to release Chapman after they interviewed him via teleconference at Attica Correctional Facility in upstate New York. The board wrote to Chapman, saying they remained concerned about "the disregard you displayed for the norms of our society and the sanctity of human life when, after careful planning, you traveled to New York for the sole purpose of killing John Lennon." more ›

It's been just over two years since Mark David Chapman was last up for parole for killing John Lennon. At the time, Yoko Ono said, "It's dangerous for him to come out. Not only for us, but for himself. There are so many people out there who dislike him. It's safer for him to stay in jail." The parole board stated his release "would not be in the best interest of the community," and denied him parole for the 5th time. Chapman has said in the past that Lennon would have forgiven him (and below is an interview he did with Barbara Walters, where he describes the night he killed Lennon). more ›

Today marks the 29th anniversary of John Lennon's death. The musician would have just turned 69 this October had Mark David Chapman not shot him dead outside of the Dakota on the night of December 8th, 1980. (Last year Chapman was denied parole for a 5th time.) To commemorate Lennon's life and death, fans will gather once again at Strawberry Fields (CityRoom spoke to the unofficial curator of the Imagine mosaic there). If you stop by, or attend any Lennon tributes throughout the city today or tonight, send us your photos. more ›

Mark David Chapman was just denied parole for a fifth time, and although nothing really stands out, CityRoom notes that with this hearing "some details that were not publicly discussed during Mr. Chapman’s previous attempts at obtaining parole" surfaced. In the interview he discussed his crime with the parole board, and noted of his shooting John Lennon: "I don't recall saying: Mr. Lennon. I think that was something that the press elaborated on; that did not happen, he didn't turn I shot him in the back." He continued on, saying he's changed, apologizing to Lennon's family and noting that if released he would go work on a farm upstate, where a man had offered him a job. The board decided to keep him locked up, of course--and as Yoko Ono said herself, he's "safer" in jail. more ›

Following yesterday's news of Mark David Chapman's latest chance for parole coming up this week, The Daily News chimes in with some more from Yoko Ono. She has, naturally, long been against her husband's killer being released, for her family's safety, but has also stated that: "It's dangerous for him to come out. Not only for us, but for himself. There are so many people out there who dislike him. It's safer for him to stay in jail." He's been behind bars since he shot John Lennon four times in the back in 1980, and chances are that's where he'll stay. Meanwhile, Ono has been in the Hamptons keeping her late husband's name alive and promoting "Come Together, a show that will look at John's life through his artwork." Hundreds of pieces will be on sale, most of of which were "published after he died, and the majority are signed by Ono." Proceeds will go towards the Human Resources of the Hamptons. UPDATE: Unsurprisingly, Chapman was denied parole (he'll be up for it again in around two years), the board stated his release "would not be in the best interest of the community." more ›

The Daily News takes a look at Mark David Chapman's time behind bars at New York's Attica Correctional Facility; the man who killed John Lennon is up for parole for a fifth time this week. In 2000, Yoko Ono wrote a letter to the parole board, referring to Chapman only as "the subject" and asking that he not be released because "With his one act of violence in those few seconds, [he] managed to change my whole life, devastate his sons, and bring deep sorrow and fear to the world." She recently reiterated those sentiments, and fears that his release would leave her family unsafe--the board has also received around 50 letters from Lennon fans this time around. more ›

Put it this way: Jared Leto should stay focused on his music career. It would be a shame if his acting aspirations distracted him from his totally boss band, 30 Seconds to Mars. Though one can see how he’d have a hard time turning down the role of Mark David Chapman, John Lennon’s murderer. After all, he’s a perfect fit for the role: both Leto and Chapman are unstable, grandiose footnotes whose insecurities drive them to violent acts that horrify millions of peaceful music lovers. more ›

Last year two biopics about John Lennon's assassination made the festival rounds, and are now poised to hit theaters in 2008. One, titled Chapter 27, stars Jared Leto as Mark David Chapman and an actor named Mark Lindsay Chapman portraying John Lennon. While it may be an accurate casting to have Leto playing someone who kills music, his involvement in the film will likely have us choosing the second biopic, The Killing of John Lennon (trailer below). more ›