Editing Mark David Chapman (section)

=== Timeline ===
* '''2000''': At the 50-minute hearing, Chapman said that he was not a danger to society and that Lennon would have approved of his release. The parole board concluded that releasing him would "deprecate the seriousness of the crime and serve to undermine respect for the law" and that Chapman granting media interviews represented a continued interest in "maintaining his notoriety." They noted that Chapman had a good disciplinary record while in prison, but he had been in solitary confinement and did not have access to "anti-violence and/or anti-aggression programming." Correctional Association of New York lawyer Robert Gangi said that he thought it unlikely that Chapman would ever be freed because the board would not risk the "political heat" of releasing John Lennon's killer.
* '''2002''': The board stated again that releasing Chapman after 22 years in prison would "deprecate the seriousness" of the crime, although his behavioral record continued to be positive, yet it was no predictor of his potential community behavior.
* '''2004''': The parole board held a third hearing and declined parole yet again. One of the reasons given by the board was that Chapman had subjected Yoko Ono to "monumental suffering by her witnessing the crime." Another factor was concern for Chapman's safety; several Lennon fans threatened to kill him upon his release. Ono's letter opposing his release stated that Chapman would not be safe outside of prison. The board reported that its decision was based on the interview, a review of records, and deliberation. By this time, approximately 6,000 people had signed an online petition opposing his release.
* '''2006''': The parole board held a 16-minute hearing and concluded that his release would not be in the best interest of the community or his own personal safety. On the 26th anniversary of Lennon's death, Ono published a one-page advertisement in several newspapers, saying that December 8 should be a "day of forgiveness," but she was not sure if she was ready to forgive Chapman.
* '''2008''': Chapman was denied parole at his fifth hearing "due to concern for the public safety and welfare."
* '''2010''': In advance of Chapman's scheduled sixth parole hearing, Ono said that she would again oppose his parole, stating that her safety, that of John's sons, and Chapman's would be at risk. She added, "I am afraid it will bring back the nightmare, the chaos and confusion once again."<sup>[59]</sup> The parole board postponed the hearing in September, stating that it was awaiting additional information to complete Chapman's record. On September 7, the board denied Chapman's latest parole application, with the panel stating that "release remains inappropriate at this time and incompatible with the welfare of the community."
* '''2012''': Chapman's seventh parole hearing was held before a three-member board, and they announced the next day that it was denied, on the grounds that they believed he would reoffend again. "Despite your positive efforts while incarcerated, your release at this time would greatly undermine respect for the law and tend to trivialize the tragic loss of life which you caused as a result of this heinous, unprovoked, violent, cold and calculated crime."<sup>[62][63]</sup>
* '''2014''': Chapman's eighth parole application was denied. Chapman told the board, "I am sorry for being such an idiot and choosing the wrong way for glory.… I found my peace in Jesus. I know him. He loves me. He has forgiven me. He has helped in my life like you wouldn't believe." The board was unmoved, telling Chapman that it believed that "there is a reasonable probability that you would not live and remain at liberty without again violating the law."<sup>[64][65]</sup>
* '''2016''': Denied for the ninth time. Chapman said that he now saw his crime as being "premeditated, selfish and evil."<sup>[66]</sup>
* '''2018''': Denied for the tenth time.<sup>[67][68]</sup> The parole board wrote to Chapman that he was at low risk to reoffend, but that he "admittedly carefully planned and executed the murder of a world-famous person for no reason other than to gain notoriety. While no one person's life is any more valuable than another's life, the fact that you chose someone who was not only a world-renowned person and beloved by millions, regardless of pain and suffering you would cause to his family, friends, and so many others, you demonstrated a callous disregard for the sanctity of human life and the pain and suffering of others. This fact remains a concern to this panel."
* '''2020''': Mark was denied the 11th time on August 27th, 2020.
* '''2022''': Mark was denied the 12th time on September 13th, 2022.
* '''2024''': Mark will have his next parole meeting in 2024.