John Lennon's Killer, Mark David Chapman, to Remain in Jail

John Lennon's killer, Mark David Chapman, was denied parole, as reported at CNN. The man who is being held in Attica prison in New York, for a sentence of 20 years to life for shooting John Lennon outside of his New York apartment in 1980, has been up for parole six times.

Should a convicted psychopath ever be released to society?

Says Department of Corrections spokesman Erik Kriss about Mark David Chapman, "He goes about his business, doing his prison job and without any fanfare." But what does that mean? Is the man who was deeply influenced by the troubled character Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye, and who read passages from the book during the trail, mentally stable now?

John Lennon's wife, Yoko Ono, has made it a mission to make sure that John Lennon's killer is not released for fear that he could harm her or other members of her family. Scores of Lennon fans would agree with her.

Mark David Chapman wanted fame for a lackluster life, and he got it in prison. He is considered one of the most famous prisoners at Attica since David Berkowitz, also known as Son of Sam, who was once held at Attica and is now held at a different prison.

Mark David Chapman, John Lennon's killer, is allowed conjugal visits.

With the denial of parole for Chapman he is not deemed safe to be released to society. However, the convicted murderer has met the qualifications for conjugal visits with his wife as part of New York's "family reunion" program. The program allows him to spend up to 44 hours at a time with a loved one.

Sources:

Laura Batchelor, John Lennon's killer is denied parole for the 6th time, CNN

Carolyn Thompson, John Lennon killer Chapman denied parole in New York, Tampa Bay Online

Fred McGunagle, Mark David Chapman: The Man Who Killed John Lennon, Tru TV

Terry Coleman, Lennon's killer to serve 20 years, Guardian