Lennon's killer wants forgiveness from Yoko

[That 70s Guy]

canoe.ca

John Lennon's killer Mark Chapman wants The Beatles legend's widow Yoko Ono to forgive him for murdering the star.

Chapman shot Lennon four times outside his home at the Dakota building in New York in December, 1980, plunging fans of the band into mourning.

He was sentenced to 20 years-to-life in prison and has been refused parole on several occasions following pleas from Ono to keep him behind bars, but now it has emerged Chapman is hoping for forgiveness from Lennon's widow.

He and his wife Gloria have even written letters to Ono in a desperate bid to salve his conscience over the shocking murder.

In an interview with Britain's Daily Mail newspaper, Gloria Chapman says, "If Mark could say anything to John and Yoko now, he would say: 'I'm sorry I caused such pain'. He would say: 'I hope you have forgiven me'...

"John was a nice person but Mark wasn't thinking about that that day, and put himself first. That was his mistake."

Chapman's wife also reveals she and her husband often talk about Lennon when she visits him in prison in New York, adding, "We do talk about Lennon at times. There is nothing I can't discuss with Mark. We spoke about him during my last visit in October. And we prayed for Yoko... I feel for her. One thing we prayed for is that she finds Jesus Christ in her life and to find forgiveness for Mark. I hope some day I could meet her and express that.

"Mark and I both wrote letters to her. He isn't angry or upset that she has pleaded with judges not to release him. I think he understands."

She also responded to recent remarks from Paul McCartney that Lennon's killer was "the jerk of all jerks" and bizarrely suggested the former Beatles star should visit his bandmate's murderer in prison, adding, "Paul McCartney has a right to say what he wants, but if he was to meet Mark, I think he would like him. Mark is a very likeable and loving person. He always puts other people's needs before his own and would welcome a visit from Mr. McCartney."

 

[runningshoes]

He's desperate to get out, I suspect.

 

[Khor1255]

Just when I thought my respect for that woman couldn't go any lower.

 

[Jet]

Actually when you forgive someone you do it for yourself. Unforgiveness binds you spiritually to that person. With that said, it does not mean that you have to have anything to do with that person–ever. You can forgive someone in your heart and move on, but that can be very difficult and almost impossible. Again, the Bible specifically says that forgiveness frees you spiritually from the one who hurt you. It just frees the ones who are left behind. Mark David Chapman should spend all the rest of his days in prison because it is Biblical. Just because he is a believer does not make him exempt from the consequences of his actions. I had no idea that Mark David Chapman was married. As a Beatles fan I feel like I could slap Gloria Chapman. As a human, I guess I would want the same for my husband, and as a Christian I understand where she is coming from, but it seems very unseemly to say the least. I think I need to search my own heart for the reason I feel that way. I guess as a human and a Christian I find it difficult to forgive him myself. When I read that the first time, I felt outright anger, and I thought she was completely nuts. I personally feel that she should not have said anything about Paul visiting him, and instead of, "I hope you have forgiven me..." It should be, "I hope you can forgive me one day. That's just my opinion.

 

[Hydrazoic Acid]

I have only one wish for you, mr. Chapman - it's called "Electric Chair".

 

[Jet]

I have only one wish for you, mr. Chapman - it's called "Electric Chair".

Yes, I forgot to add that I never knew he could be paroled and Yoko has to either go there or write a letter. That has got to bring up painful memories beyond belief. Twenty years to life, for killing a man execution style? If it had not been John Lennon, I think he would probably be out by now, and I think that is wrong.

 

[Hydrazoic Acid]

You know, Patty, I think, It doesn't matter, what's the name of a victim - Lennon or someone else. Chapman - is a moron, who's committed thought-out, cold-blooded murder. He had to sit down on a electric chair already in 1980.

 

[Jet]

You know, Patty, I think, It doesn't matter, what's the name of a victim - Lennon or someone else. Chapman - is a moron, who's committed thought-out, cold-blooded murder. He had to sit down on a electric chair already in 1980.

I believe if he would have killed just your regular guy on the street, our justice system is so out of whack, that he could be walking the streets already, and that bothers me.

 

[Johnny-Too-Good]

I believe if he would have killed just your regular guy on the street, our justice system is so out of whack, that he could be walking the streets already, and that bothers me.

Jet - I have limited knowledge of how the justice system works in The US, but, for sure, in the UK, for that type of murder of a 'non celebrity' the convicted party would be out in 20 years or less with good behaviour. I do wonder how it would have panned out had he murdered John in the UK. There would have been public pressure to keep him inside, but there would have been pressure from The European Union to release him. I agree with you, it makes you feel uncomfortable, in the sense that the family of the murdered 'non celebrity' have nobody pressurising the authorities to keep the convicted killer in prison.

 

[Khor1255]

Actually when you forgive someone you do it for yourself. Unforgiveness binds you spiritually to that person. With that said, it does not mean that you have to have anything to do with that person–ever. You can forgive someone in your heart and move on, but that can be very difficult and almost impossible. Again, the Bible specifically says that forgiveness frees you spiritually from the one who hurt you. It just frees the ones who are left behind. Mark David Chapman should spend all the rest of his days in prison because it is Biblical. Just because he is a believer does not make him exempt from the consequences of his actions. I had no idea that Mark David Chapman was married. As a Beatles fan I feel like I could slap Gloria Chapman. As a human, I guess I would want the same for my husband, and as a Christian I understand where she is coming from, but it seems very unseemly to say the least. I think I need to search my own heart for the reason I feel that way. I guess as a human and a Christian I find it difficult to forgive him myself. When I read that the first time, I felt outright anger, and I thought she was completely nuts. I personally feel that she should not have said anything about Paul visiting him, and instead of, "I hope you have forgiven me..." It should be, "I hope you can forgive me one day. That's just my opinion.

It's not the forgiveness that bothers me. You are absolutely correct on that. It is the holier than thou way she says Paul should learn to like that scumbag. Who cares what he is now? Lennon will never have another day in this life and that is kind of a tragedy for all of us.