(Entered October 3, 2000)

(Updated October 4,2000)

From Yahoo News, AP, New York Times and ABC

ABC News Report

Yoko's Letter to the Parole Board

The man who murdered John Lennon has been denied parole.

A three-member New York state parole board interviewed Mark David Chapman for about 50 minutes this morning at Attica state prison. About four hours later, MDC was given the board's one-page determination beginning with the words "Parole is denied."

The board said MDC's killing of John Lennon was "calculated and unprovoked." They made mention of the fact that besides being one of the most famous musicians in the world, John was a husband and father of two young children.

The parole board statement went on, "Your most vicious and violent act was apparently fueled by your need to be acknowledged. During your parole hearing, this panel noted your continued interest in maintaining your notoriety."

MDC, who is now 45 and has lived five years longer than his victim was able to, is serving 20 years to life in Attica and will be eligible for a second parole hearing in 2002.

Because MDC has been held in special protective housing, the board noted that he has been unable to take advantage of any "anti-violence and/or anti-agression programming." The fact that he is separated from other prisoners and has not been forced to co-habitate with the general prison population, could also be a reason for his good behavior throughout the years.

It was reported that less than 10-percent of convicted murderers in state prisons are paroled on their first hearing and prison experts said the fact that MDC's victim was such a famous person and hero to so many, his chances of eventual release are remote.

Yoko Ono wrote a letter to the parole board which reportedly asked the board to keep MDC behind bars. Yoko was deeply affected by the recent attack on George and Olivia Harrison and it has been reported that she mentioned this incident in her letter to the board.

Parole board members were R. Guy Vizzie, W.William Smith Jr. and Daniel J. Doyle. Parole board hearings are closed to the public and the press.

The Associated Press filed a Freedom of Information Law request to obtain the board's determination. A transcript of today's interview with MDC by the board will be available later this week.

What follows is the text of the decision by the New York State Division of Parole board, as obtained by the Associated Press.

PAROLE BOARD TRANSCRIPT:

Parole is denied. You murdered the victim, John Lennon, when you fired a .38 special caliber Charter Arms revolver, filled with hollow-point bullets. You discharged all five chambers and hit Mr. Lennon as many as four times. Mr. Lennon was returning to his residence and was in the company of his wife when you committed this murder. This act was calculated and unprovoked. You had planned this crime for a protracted period of time and it is apparent that you were obsessed in causing fatal harm to John Lennon. In addition to being an international celebrity, Mr. Lennon was a husband and a father of two young children.

During your incarceration, you have maintained an exemplary disciplinary record which this panel has noted and considered. This panel also recognizes that, because of your continued special housing status, you have been unable to avail yourself of anti-violence and/or anti-aggression programming.

Your most vicious and violent act was apparently fueled by your need to be acknowledged. During your parole hearing, this panel noted your continued interest in maintaining your notoriety.

When all factors are reviewed, your discretionary release is determined to be inappropriate. Additionally, this panel strongly believes that your release to parole supervision at this time would deprecate the seriousness of the crime and serve to undermine respect for the law.

Mayor of New York makes a statement:

According to the New York Times, New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani wrote to oppose parole, saying that MDC had planned the murder "in order to become famous himself," and that MDC had considered killing other celebrities, including Elizabeth Taylor and David Bowie.

"Mr. Lennon was a unique musical talent whose vast influence extended well beyond music," Mr. Giuliani wrote. "He was a beloved citizen of his adopted home, New York City, and 20 years later, the impact of his death is still felt."

The Times also reported that Yoko is currently in Japan for the opening of The John Lennon Museum there, but she recorded herself reading the letter for use by radio and television news organizations. Her spokesman, Elliot Mintz, said, "She respects the board's decision."