Denied Parole for 10th Time! John Lennon’s killer, now 63, had tried to behave well in order to get out of prison, and he tried to use this as a defense for his release,
but the parole board said, “It is not comparable to what you have done, or the senseless lives you have lost.” Yoko Ono, John Lennon’s widow, has consistently expressed her opposition to granting Mark parole, citing concerns for her well-being, as well as John’s two sons, Julian and Sean.
This time, she told the board, “Thirty years ago, I did not feel ashamed. Now I know how shameful it is.”
Like his previous parole hearing, he went into detail about the shooting and his regret for the “senseless” act, claiming that he was seeking fame and had no enmity toward John Lennon.
Denied Parole for 10th Time!
The parole board told the killer, “You admit to having meticulously planned and executed the life of a world-famous person for no other reason than notoriety, and that no one’s life is more valuable than another’s. The fact that you chose someone who is not only world famous but also loved by millions, regardless of the pain and suffering you have caused to his family, friends and many others, shows a disregard for the sanctity of human life and the suffering of others. This fact continues to concern the board.”
The board found that he could not be released because it “would not be in line with the welfare and safety of society and to express disapproval of a heinous crime that undermines respect for the law.”
The killer was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison, meaning that when he serves the 20 years, he will be eligible for parole to spend his life outside prison, which he has requested since his first year of eligibility (2000), and he will have the right to request parole every two years while in prison.
He is currently incarcerated at the Wende Correctional Facility in New York. He will be eligible for parole again in 2020.
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.