John Lennon's killer to face parole board again

In this 1975 file photo, Mark David Chapman is seen at Fort Chaffee near Fort Smith, Ark. / File,AP Photo/Greg Lyuan

(CBS News) The killer of former Beatle John Lennon could have a parole hearing as early as Tuesday, an official with the New York Department of Corrections said.

Mark David Chapman is up for parole for the seventh time since gunning down Lennon in front of his New York City apartment in December 1980. Corrections Department spokeswoman Linda Foglia told the Associated Press that he'll stand before the parole board sometime this week, with a decision possibly coming Thursday or Friday.

He was sentenced to 20 years to life in 1981 and was last denied parole in September 2010. Yoko Ono, Lennon's widow, has opposed Chapman's release in the past, citing safety concerns for her and her family.

Lennon would have been 72 in October. The date of his death, Dec. 8, is still marked to this day by a music-filled vigil in Central Park's "Strawberry Fields," located just across the street from where he was shot.

[geography20122]

Drug induced shooting..time is up.let the dude try for a normal life without excessive influence of music demons (LSD) this time around.

[Mick_from_Amsterdam]

Since John Lennon has had to remain deceased these 32 years...his killer (whose name I will never speak or write) should remain perpetually incarcerated...an assassin of dreamers and dreams...

The poet Lennon's own "imaginings" and those he inspired in so many of us...

That foul person should never be released...

Not even if he claims that he's all better now and is really very sorry and will never, ever, do it again

Who can predict who this cipher...this pathetic, attention craving non-entity...might decide he wants to be remembered for murdering next?

[taxed01]

The taxpayers have been paying for the damned thing for 32 years, shoot it.

[JaySatCBS]

Simple! All the altruism and psychiatrists on the planet earth cannot cure psychotics (period). If you truly believe otherwise, please seek professional help! Mark David Chapman cannot deal with the realities of the 21st century; keep him safe & locked up tight!

[twmat311]

After they interview him, the board should retire to Strawberry Fields to deliberate. I'd say hold the hearing there, but immediately thought "sacrilege" (in a more secular sense).

Agree though Mr. Lennon would side with forgiveness. A bigger humanitarian than most of us.

[milwaukeegregg]

lennon being the saint that he was would want him paroled.

[heavymedley]

And you know this based on what?

[AOCGUY]

So he can kill again, I somewhat doubt that.

[mintkeith]

The real question is, has he been receiving good psychiatric care, and is he now safe and sane?

I feel deeply for Yoko and her family.

[88Ronin]

Pity he could not be paroled in time for the GOP (Guardians of Privilege...Theirs, NOT yours) to put him on the ticket with Romney.
Ted Bundy and Charles Manson were unavailable too.

[formerlyluvnut]

Well, after being in Attica CF until last year when he was moved to Wende CF & knowing NYS, they will probably let him go back into society. They should send him to N Carolina; he would fit right in with the voices & all!

[woozybarnes]

They should release him in the middle of Liverpool wearing a bright orange suit.