It’s very easy to admit that John Lennon was a musical legend who had an amazing career. Sadly, his life would be cut very short as it was taken by his killer, Mark Chapman. He would be struck down at his apartment entrance in December 1980.
Mark Chapman has been eligible for parole since 2000 and has tried for it 12 times. He couldn’t succeed in his efforts as they have been denied any time that he and his team would try to move forward. Lennon’s widow and wife, Yoko Ono, sent letters repeatedly to the parole board to deny Chapman’s request for a release every single time.
As for what Mark Chapman has in terms of sentencing, Chapman serves a 20-years-to-life sentence. The killer said in 2018 that he didn’t do it out of personal vendetta but only because he was selfish and envious of John Lennon’s fame in which he wanted a taste of.
In 2020, his story changed. Chapman would then state that he feels ashamed of what he has done and regrets the actions that he took on that faithful day.
Time can change people, but it’s also true that Chapman’s regret concludes one thing; anger and wrongful actions taken in a refute serve no one. It only brings sorrow and misery to all.
John Lennon, even if having a very problematic personal past, was a musical legend and his family suffers and feels his loss every single day. The industry he served faces the same void, as does Chapman and his family, who wouldn’t be proud of the heinous act done by Mark.
Life can be akin to a circle. What goes around, comes around. What may have looked like an attack or act of bravery has turned into regret. Time heals all wounds, and let’s hope that it does the same for grieving families.
