Denied Parole for the 7th!, John Lennon’s killer has been refused parole for the seventh time. A three-member parole board made the decision after a hearing on Wednesday, according to the New York State Department of Corrections. The transcript of the hearing has not yet been released.
Before the hearing, the parole division received numerous letters opposing the killer’s release. One came from Yoko Ono, John Lennon’s widow. She expressed her belief that the killer still posed a threat to her, Lennon’s two sons, the public, and even himself.
The parole board acknowledged the killer’s good behaviour and achievements in prison. However, they stated that “parole shall not be granted for good conduct and program completions alone.” They also highlighted the strong opposition to his release.
Board member Sally Thompson wrote, “Despite your positive efforts while incarcerated, your release at this time would greatly undermine respect for the law and trivialise the tragic loss of life caused by your heinous, unprovoked, violent, cold, and calculated crime.” Board members Joseph Crangle and Marc Coppola agreed with the decision.
In May, the killer was moved from Attica Correctional Facility in western New York to the nearby Wende Correctional Facility. Both are maximum-security prisons. The prison system did not disclose the reason for the transfer.
Denied Parole for the 7th, but still can try again for parole in two years.
Declaration
In writing about John Lennon’s death, I intend to pay tribute to him. His tragic death reverberates around the world, and the name of his killer is known around the world.
However, F!A!R have chosen not to mention the killer name.
There are several reasons why we should not name a killer.
First, it may increase their fame and attention, which may lead to copycats or other violent acts. A 2018 study published in the journal Crime & Delinquency found a correlation between media attention to killers and subsequent increases in similar offences. The study also found that high-profile killers often serve long prison sentences, which increases the likelihood of them planning future crimes.
Second, it may cause more suffering for victims and their families. Victims may feel objectified or ostracized, while the bereaved may feel distressed and violated.
For these reasons, F!A!R use the term killer rather than mentioning him directly.