Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE starting June 12 2026

Lennon's killer sorry for being 'idiot'

The killer of Beatle John Lennon has told a US parole board he's sorry for "being such an idiot" and seeking notoriety the way he did.

John Lennon's imprisoned killer says he still gets letters about the pain he has caused.

Mark David Chapman was denied release during his eighth appearance before a parole board last week.

New York state corrections officials on Wednesday released the transcript from the hearing at the Wende Correctional Facility.

Chapman told the parole board he's sorry for "being such an idiot" and seeking notoriety the way he did.

Chapman fired five shots on December 8, 1980, outside the Dakota apartment house where Lennon lived on Manhattan's Upper West Side, striking the ex-Beatle four times.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Chapman was sentenced in 1981 to 20 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. He will be eligible again for parole in two years.


1 min read

Published

Updated



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world