La noche del 8 de diciembre de 1980 John Lennon y su pareja Yoko Ono llegaban a su casa en el edificio Dakota, frente a Central Park (Nueva York), cuando alguien llamó la atención del artista al grito de “¡oye, John!”. Era Mark David Chapman, de 25 años, su asesino confeso: disparó al exintegrante de The Beatles cinco veces por la espalda y se quedó en el lugar del crimen leyendo El guardián entre el centeno, de J.D. Salinger —en el que escribió “esta es mi declaración”—, hasta que la policía lo detuvo. Lennon murió a su llegada al hospital, a los 40 años.
El joven ingresó en prisión en 1981, después de que los tribunales lo declararan culpable por asesinato en segundo grado y fue condenado a cadena perpetua, con la posibilidad de conseguir la libertad condicional tras pasar al menos dos décadas en la cárcel.
A día de hoy, con 65 años, de los cuales ha estado encerrado casi 40, Chapman ha pedido la libertad condicional hasta en once ocasiones, pero siempre se le ha denegado. En la última de sus peticiones ha entonado el mea culpa y ha pedido disculpas a Yoko Ono por acabar con la vida de su pareja. Independientemente de que sea o no la primera vez que pide perdón —algo que se desconoce—, su arrepentimiento, una de las bazas para conseguir la condicional, no le ha servido para nada.
“Lo asesiné porque era muy, muy, muy famoso, y esa es la única razón por la que yo estaba buscando mucho, mucho, mucho, mucho la gloria para mí. Fui muy egoísta. Lo siento mucho por el dolor que le causé a ella”, explicó el pasado mes de agosto a la junta de prisión de Wende, la cárcel en la que cumple condena, como recoge una grabación que ha salido a la luz ahora. Se desconoce si en las anteriores peticiones también pidió perdón para conseguir la libertad condicional.
Una vez más, las autoridades han decidido negarle la libertad condicional porque “sería incompatible con el bienestar de la sociedad”. Es la misma razón por la que le denegaron la libertad la vez anterior, en 2018. Entonces la Junta alegó que “planeó y ejecutó cuidadosamente el asesinato de una persona mundialmente famosa sin otra razón que la de ganar notoriedad”.
Chapman sabía que Lennon era “extremadamente famoso”. “No lo maté por su personalidad o por el tipo de hombre que era. Era un hombre familiar. Y un icono. Era alguien que hablaba de las cosas de las que ahora hablamos y eso es magnífico”, dijo en agosto.
La multitud frente al edificio Dakota tras el asesinato de John Lennon.Getty
Además, el estadounidense ha calificado lo que hizo como “un acto despreciable” por el que admite que merece la pena de muerte, e insiste en que quería ser conocido por ello: “Quiero reiterar que siento mucho haber cometido el crimen. No tengo excusa. Fue para mi propia gloria”.
Mark David Chapman, asesino confeso de John Lennon.Getty Images
“Él era un ser humano y yo sabía que iba a matarle. Eso ya dice que no mereces nada, y si la ley y ustedes deciden dejarme aquí durante el resto de mi vida, no me quejaré”. Y así ha sido. La junta ha decidido dejarle de momento entre rejas. Hasta dentro de dos años, en agosto de 2022, no podrá solicitar de nuevo la libertad.
El asesino confeso de John Lennon se declaró culpable en el juicio, aunque cree que “todo el mundo merece una segunda oportunidad”. Durante estos 40 años cumpliendo condena ha mostrado un comportamiento ejemplar, uno de los requisitos para conseguir la libertad condicional.
La propia junta lo confirma en las grabaciones. “Hace un uso del tiempo productivo y para su crecimiento personal”, aunque también apunta que “causó devastación no solo a la familia y a sus antiguos compañeros, sino al mundo entero”.
Según la prensa estadounidense, es poco probable que Chapman salga de prisión en el futuro y si lo hace será a una edad muy avanzada. Además, la viuda de Lennon y su hijo Sean se oponen a que el asesino del artista consiga la libertad condicional.
The Beatles
The Beatles jump to it on stage, left to right, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison.
The Beatles, pictured at EMI House Manchester Square, London, with a hoard of silver discs. They were presented with two silver LPs to mark the quarter-million plus sales of their first LP "Please Please Me" and their new one "Wit...
Susan Maughan gets a lift from Billy J Kramer (l) and the Beatles (l-r: John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and George Harrison.) All three acts were recipients of awards presented to them by Melody Maker magazine following a national poll ...
The Beatles, wearing cape-type coats, on the steps of the plane on arrival at London Airport from their Australian tour. At a Press Conference at the airport Lennon denied a rumour that he was leaving the group.
15 year old Michael Lowbey, of Sidcup, Kent, gives his own impromptu concert outside the Odean, Lewisham, where thousands of teenagers wait for the box office to open so they can buy tickets to the forthcoming Beatles concert.
Joseph's coat of many colours was all right for biblical times, but in these stringent times, only a Rolls Royce will do for the allegorical value. Where Rolls Royce - who have consistently turned out the most endearing vehicles - it may see...
The Beatles jump on stage, left to right, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, and George Harrison.
The Beatles, (from left to right) Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison at the premiere of their film A Hard Day's Night
FILE - In this undated file photograph British pop band The Beatles, John Lennon (left) Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and George Harrison (right) pose for a photograph. Apple Inc. said Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010, its iTunes service will sell music fro...
The Beatles, left to right, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and John Lennon, and their manager Brian Epstein meet Princess Margaret at the premier of their film Help at the London Pavilion, July 1965.
This February 11, 1964 photo provided by Christie's auction house, from a collection of photos of The Beatles shot by photographer Mike Mitchell at the Washington Coliseum in Washington, D.C., shows George Harrison during the group's first US co...
The Beatles - left to right Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Paul McCartney at Rediffusion's Wembley Studio rehearsing for 'Around the Beatles', the first British television show built around the group.
The Beatles during rehearsals for the 1963 Royal Variety Performance, at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London. L-R: Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon and Ringo Starr. * 12/11/2000: The band will unleash an album widely expected t...
PA NEWS PHOTO 7/12/63 GEORGE HARRISON OF "THE BEATLES" DURING REHEARSALS IN LIVERPOOL. * 30/11/01 It has been announced that, George Harrison, the Beatles' quiet lead guitarist and spiritual explorer has died, a longtime family f...
Embargoed to 0001 Monday June 4. File photo dated 25/06/1967 of (left to right) George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney (front) and John Lennon as the Beatles have held off artist such as Elvis Presley and Madonna to be declared the biggest...
NOTE BLACK AND WHITE ONLY File photo dated 03/05/1965 of (left to right) John Lennon, Ringo Star, Paul McCartney and George Harrison as the Beatles have held off artist such as Elvis Presley and Madonna to be declared the biggest selling singles...
Wax figures representing The Beatles, from left, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and John Lennon are unveiled at Madame Tussauds New York, Thursday June 14, 2012, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
FILE - In this Feb. 7, 1964 file photo, the Beatles arrive in New York for their first U.S. appearances. From left are: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison. McCartney turned 70 Monday June 18, 2012. (AP Photo/File)
A wax figure representing The Beatles' John Lennon is unveiled at Madame Tussauds New York, Thursday June 14, 2012, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
School children pose with wax figures representing The Beatles, from left, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and John Lennon are unveiled at Madame Tussauds New York, Thursday June 14, 2012, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invisi...
FILE - In this Feb. 1964 file photo, the Beatles' Paul McCartney is shown on the set of the Ed Sullivan Show. McCartney turned 70 Monday June 18, 2012. McCartney turned 70 Monday June 18, 2012. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - In this Feb. 9, 1964. file photo Paul McCartney, right, shows his bass guitar to Ed Sullivan before the Beatles' live television appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in New York along with John Lennon, center, and Ringo Starr, behind McCa...
FILE In this file photo of June 18, 1968 Victor Spinetti talks with John Lennon and Yoko Ono in London. Victor Spinetti, a comic actor who appeared in three Beatles movies and won a Tony on Broadway, has died, his agent said Tuesday June 19, 201...
FILE - The Beatles perform at the "Ed Sullivan Show," in New York in this Feb. 9, 1964 file photo. Universal Music Group can buy the famed British music company EMI, including the hugely lucrative Beatles catalogue, the European Union's competit...
FILE - In this Feb. 9, 1964 file photo, The Beatles perform on the CBS "Ed Sullivan Show" in New York. Ringo Starr plays drums, rear, and playing guitars from left are Paul McCartney, George Harrison and John Lennon. An estimated 73 million Amer...
FILE - In this June 30, 1966 file photo, the Beatles perform at Budokan Hall in Tokyo for the first time. From left: George Harrison, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Ringo Starr. McCartney turned 70 years of age Monday June 18, 2012. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - The Beatles perform at the "Ed Sullivan Show," in New York in this Feb. 9, 1964 file photo. Universal Music Group can buy the famed British music company EMI, including the hugely lucrative Beatles catalogue, the European Union's competit...
1963: Pop group The Beatles take a bow on stage after performing in the Royal Command Performance at the Prince of Wales Theatre. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)
The Beatles on stage at the London Palladium during a performance in front of 2, 000 screaming fans. (Photo by Michael Webb/Getty Images)
18th January 1964: The British pop band The Beatles, left to right, John Lennon (1940 - 1980), Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison (1943 - 2001), after their Paris show, with their co-star the French singer Sylvie Vartan. (Photo by...
The Beatles, performing on the Ed Sullivan Show, New York City, 9th February 1964. Left to right: Paul McCartney, George Harrison (1943 - 2001), John Lennon (1940 - 1980) and Ringo Starr. (Photo by Paul Popper/Popperfoto/Getty Images)
13th February 1964: The Beatles soon after their arrival in Washington, USA, playing in the snow outside the Coliseum where they were scheduled to perform before a sell-out audience. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
19th March 1964, A picture of British pop group the Beatles when they met the British Prime Minister Mr Harold Wilson when he presented them all with silver heart awards which were for show business personalities, (Left to right) John Lennon, Ha...
Ringo Starr at the drums during a rehearsal for the Beatles' first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, New York City, 8th February 1964. (Photo by Paul Popper/Popperfoto/Getty Images)
25th November 1963: Liverpudlian beat combo The Beatles, from left to right Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon (1940 - 1980), and George Harrison (1943 - 2001), performing in front of a camera-shaped drum kit on Granada TV's Late Scene Ex...
The Beatles rehearse for that night's Royal Variety Performance at the Prince of Wales Theatre, 4th November 1963. The Queen Mother will attend. (Photo by Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The Beatles in performance at a night spot, April 1963. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
3rd December 1963: Guitarist and singer George Harrison (1943 - 2001) of the popular Merseybeat group The Beatles, performing during a live concert. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)
England, Circa 1963, British pop group 'The Beatles' are pictured performing together, L-R: Ringo Starr (drums), George Harrison (guitar), Paul McCartney (bass guitar) and John Lennon (guitar) (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images)
1963: Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr of The Beatles performing during an early television performance on 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' on February 17th 1963. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
3rd December 1963: Top British pop group The Beatles in performance, from left to right; Ringo Starr, George Harrison (1943 - 2001), Paul McCartney and John Lennon (1940 - 1980). (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)
Volume 2, Page 85, Picture 6, The Beatles, America, February 1964, The Beatles perform on the 'Ed Sullivan show' (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images)
The Beatles 1964 US Tour, American music fans are gripped by Beatlemania as the band perform on stage at Carnegie Hall, New York during their tour of America (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images)
Bassist Paul McCartney and guitarist George Harrison (1943 - 2001) sing at a microphone as the Beatles perform at the London Palladium. Drummer Ringo Starr plays from a riser in the background. London, England, January 1964. (Photo by Leslie Lee...
The Beatles dress up for the Beatles Christmas Show, at the Astoria Cinema, Finsbury Park, London, New Years Eve, 31st December 1963. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
11th December 1963: The Beatles pictured during their appearance on the music panel show, Juke Box Jury; pictured left to right are: John Lennon (1940 -1980), Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison (1943 - 2001). (Photo by Hulton Arch...
British pop group the Beatles perform on stage, 1964. (L-R) Paul McCartney, John Lennon (1940 - 1980), and George Harrsion (1943 - 2001). Drummer Ringo Starr is hidden behind them. (Photo by Ralph Morse/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images)
Pop group The Beatles, left to right Ringo Starr on drums, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and John Lennon on electric guitars, performing in a large dance hall during a Royal Variety performance in London, England on December 3, 1963. (Photo by...
The Beatles in concert at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, 3rd December 1963. (Photo by Les Lee/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
British pop group the Beatles perform on stage, 1964. (L-R) Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr (behind drum kit), George Harrsion (1943 - 2001), and John Lennon (1940 - 1980). (Photo by Ralph Morse/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images)
The Beatles (from left) Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison (1943 - 2001) performing at the London Palladium. (Photo by Les Lee/Getty Images)
The Beatles (from left) Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison (1943 - 2001) performing at the London Palladium. (Photo by Les Lee/Getty Images)
152
The Beatles arrive at London Airport: (l-r) Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison.
The Beatles, pictured at EMI House Manchester Square, London, with a hoard of silver discs. They were presented with two silver LPs to mark the quarter-million plus sales of their first LP "Please Please Me" and their new one "Wit...
Susan Maughan gets a lift from Billy J Kramer (l) and the Beatles (l-r: John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and George Harrison.) All three acts were recipients of awards presented to them by Melody Maker magazine following a national poll ...
The Beatles, wearing cape-type coats, on the steps of the plane on arrival at London Airport from their Australian tour. At a Press Conference at the airport Lennon denied a rumour that he was leaving the group.
15 year old Michael Lowbey, of Sidcup, Kent, gives his own impromptu concert outside the Odean, Lewisham, where thousands of teenagers wait for the box office to open so they can buy tickets to the forthcoming Beatles concert.
Joseph's coat of many colours was all right for biblical times, but in these stringent times, only a Rolls Royce will do for the allegorical value. Where Rolls Royce - who have consistently turned out the most endearing vehicles - it may see...
FILE - In this undated file photograph British pop band The Beatles, John Lennon (left) Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and George Harrison (right) pose for a photograph. Apple Inc. said Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010, its iTunes service will sell music fro...
The Beatles, left to right, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and John Lennon, and their manager Brian Epstein meet Princess Margaret at the premier of their film Help at the London Pavilion, July 1965.
This February 11, 1964 photo provided by Christie's auction house, from a collection of photos of The Beatles shot by photographer Mike Mitchell at the Washington Coliseum in Washington, D.C., shows George Harrison during the group's first US co...
The Beatles - left to right Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Paul McCartney at Rediffusion's Wembley Studio rehearsing for 'Around the Beatles', the first British television show built around the group.
The Beatles during rehearsals for the 1963 Royal Variety Performance, at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London. L-R: Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon and Ringo Starr. * 12/11/2000: The band will unleash an album widely expected t...
PA NEWS PHOTO 7/12/63 GEORGE HARRISON OF "THE BEATLES" DURING REHEARSALS IN LIVERPOOL. * 30/11/01 It has been announced that, George Harrison, the Beatles' quiet lead guitarist and spiritual explorer has died, a longtime family f...
Embargoed to 0001 Monday June 4. File photo dated 25/06/1967 of (left to right) George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney (front) and John Lennon as the Beatles have held off artist such as Elvis Presley and Madonna to be declared the biggest...
NOTE BLACK AND WHITE ONLY File photo dated 03/05/1965 of (left to right) John Lennon, Ringo Star, Paul McCartney and George Harrison as the Beatles have held off artist such as Elvis Presley and Madonna to be declared the biggest selling singles...
Wax figures representing The Beatles, from left, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and John Lennon are unveiled at Madame Tussauds New York, Thursday June 14, 2012, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
FILE - In this Feb. 7, 1964 file photo, the Beatles arrive in New York for their first U.S. appearances. From left are: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison. McCartney turned 70 Monday June 18, 2012. (AP Photo/File)
A wax figure representing The Beatles' John Lennon is unveiled at Madame Tussauds New York, Thursday June 14, 2012, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
School children pose with wax figures representing The Beatles, from left, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and John Lennon are unveiled at Madame Tussauds New York, Thursday June 14, 2012, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invisi...
FILE - In this Feb. 1964 file photo, the Beatles' Paul McCartney is shown on the set of the Ed Sullivan Show. McCartney turned 70 Monday June 18, 2012. McCartney turned 70 Monday June 18, 2012. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - In this Feb. 9, 1964. file photo Paul McCartney, right, shows his bass guitar to Ed Sullivan before the Beatles' live television appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in New York along with John Lennon, center, and Ringo Starr, behind McCa...
FILE In this file photo of June 18, 1968 Victor Spinetti talks with John Lennon and Yoko Ono in London. Victor Spinetti, a comic actor who appeared in three Beatles movies and won a Tony on Broadway, has died, his agent said Tuesday June 19, 201...
FILE - The Beatles perform at the "Ed Sullivan Show," in New York in this Feb. 9, 1964 file photo. Universal Music Group can buy the famed British music company EMI, including the hugely lucrative Beatles catalogue, the European Union's competit...
FILE - In this Feb. 9, 1964 file photo, The Beatles perform on the CBS "Ed Sullivan Show" in New York. Ringo Starr plays drums, rear, and playing guitars from left are Paul McCartney, George Harrison and John Lennon. An estimated 73 million Amer...
FILE - In this June 30, 1966 file photo, the Beatles perform at Budokan Hall in Tokyo for the first time. From left: George Harrison, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Ringo Starr. McCartney turned 70 years of age Monday June 18, 2012. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - The Beatles perform at the "Ed Sullivan Show," in New York in this Feb. 9, 1964 file photo. Universal Music Group can buy the famed British music company EMI, including the hugely lucrative Beatles catalogue, the European Union's competit...
1963: Pop group The Beatles take a bow on stage after performing in the Royal Command Performance at the Prince of Wales Theatre. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)
18th January 1964: The British pop band The Beatles, left to right, John Lennon (1940 - 1980), Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison (1943 - 2001), after their Paris show, with their co-star the French singer Sylvie Vartan. (Photo by...
The Beatles, performing on the Ed Sullivan Show, New York City, 9th February 1964. Left to right: Paul McCartney, George Harrison (1943 - 2001), John Lennon (1940 - 1980) and Ringo Starr. (Photo by Paul Popper/Popperfoto/Getty Images)
13th February 1964: The Beatles soon after their arrival in Washington, USA, playing in the snow outside the Coliseum where they were scheduled to perform before a sell-out audience. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
19th March 1964, A picture of British pop group the Beatles when they met the British Prime Minister Mr Harold Wilson when he presented them all with silver heart awards which were for show business personalities, (Left to right) John Lennon, Ha...
Ringo Starr at the drums during a rehearsal for the Beatles' first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, New York City, 8th February 1964. (Photo by Paul Popper/Popperfoto/Getty Images)
25th November 1963: Liverpudlian beat combo The Beatles, from left to right Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon (1940 - 1980), and George Harrison (1943 - 2001), performing in front of a camera-shaped drum kit on Granada TV's Late Scene Ex...
The Beatles rehearse for that night's Royal Variety Performance at the Prince of Wales Theatre, 4th November 1963. The Queen Mother will attend. (Photo by Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
3rd December 1963: Guitarist and singer George Harrison (1943 - 2001) of the popular Merseybeat group The Beatles, performing during a live concert. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)
England, Circa 1963, British pop group 'The Beatles' are pictured performing together, L-R: Ringo Starr (drums), George Harrison (guitar), Paul McCartney (bass guitar) and John Lennon (guitar) (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images)
1963: Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr of The Beatles performing during an early television performance on 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' on February 17th 1963. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
3rd December 1963: Top British pop group The Beatles in performance, from left to right; Ringo Starr, George Harrison (1943 - 2001), Paul McCartney and John Lennon (1940 - 1980). (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)
The Beatles 1964 US Tour, American music fans are gripped by Beatlemania as the band perform on stage at Carnegie Hall, New York during their tour of America (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images)
Bassist Paul McCartney and guitarist George Harrison (1943 - 2001) sing at a microphone as the Beatles perform at the London Palladium. Drummer Ringo Starr plays from a riser in the background. London, England, January 1964. (Photo by Leslie Lee...
The Beatles dress up for the Beatles Christmas Show, at the Astoria Cinema, Finsbury Park, London, New Years Eve, 31st December 1963. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
11th December 1963: The Beatles pictured during their appearance on the music panel show, Juke Box Jury; pictured left to right are: John Lennon (1940 -1980), Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison (1943 - 2001). (Photo by Hulton Arch...
British pop group the Beatles perform on stage, 1964. (L-R) Paul McCartney, John Lennon (1940 - 1980), and George Harrsion (1943 - 2001). Drummer Ringo Starr is hidden behind them. (Photo by Ralph Morse/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images)
Pop group The Beatles, left to right Ringo Starr on drums, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and John Lennon on electric guitars, performing in a large dance hall during a Royal Variety performance in London, England on December 3, 1963. (Photo by...
British pop group the Beatles perform on stage, 1964. (L-R) Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr (behind drum kit), George Harrsion (1943 - 2001), and John Lennon (1940 - 1980). (Photo by Ralph Morse/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images)
The Beatles (from left) Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison (1943 - 2001) performing at the London Palladium. (Photo by Les Lee/Getty Images)