03:14 PM ET 10/03/00
Text of Chapman Parole Decision By The Associated Press=
Here is the text of the decision of a New York State Division of
Parole board to deny parole to John Lennon's killer, Mark David
Chapman. The parole board was headed by R. Guy Vizzie. The other 
members were W. William Smith Jr. and Daniel J. Doyle.

Parole is denied. You murdered the victim, John Lennon, when you
fired a .38 special caliber Charter Arm revolver, filled with
hollow-point bullets. You discharged all five chambers and hit Mr.
Lennon as many as four times. Mr. Lennon was returning to his
residence and was in the company of his wife when you committed
this murder. This act was calculated and unprovoked. You had
planned this crime for a protracted period of time and it is
apparent that you were obsessed in causing fatal harm to John
Lennon. In addition to being an international celebrity, Mr. Lennon
was a husband and a father of two young children. During your
incarceration, you have maintained an exemplary disciplinary
record which this panel has noted and considered. This
panel also recognizes that, because of your continued special
housing status, you have been unable to avail yourself of
anti-violence and/or anti-aggression programming.
Your most vicious and violent act was apparently fueled by your
need to be acknowledged. During your parole hearing, this panel
noted your continued interest in maintaining your notoriety.
When all factors are reviewed, your discretionary release is
determined to be inappropriate. Additionally, this panel strongly
believes that your release to parole supervision at this time
would deprecate the seriousness of the crime and serve to undermine
respect for the law.
___= SOURCE: New York State Division of Parole.