http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/people/192654_people28.html
People in the News: Chapman still is unforgiven by Lennon fans
John Lennon may have been one heck of a peace activist while he was alive, but his fans aren't willing to give peace a chance. At least not when it comes to his killer, David Chapman, who is up for parole next week.
The Daily News reports that Lennon's fans have been collecting signatures in an online petition (www.petitiononline.com/rem128) asking that Chapman's parole be denied. So far, 1,008 people have signed the petition.
It's not just that they want keep Chapman -- who shot Lennon on Dec. 8, 1980 outside his New York City home -- in jail. While some simply believe Chapman is a monster who should die in prison (one posting compares him to the Son of Sam serial killer) some have threatened to harm the 49-year-old killer.
"I'll go after him if he's out," wrote one Belgian fan.
"He deserves to be shot or tortured in front of the whole world!" added a woman from Pittsburgh, Pa.
They might not have anything to worry about. Chapman was denied parole two years ago, because parole board members said they felt his behavior once released might be unpredictable.
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I don't think he should ever be released...
Why not? Just because he killed somebody famous?
He should be released...
...if he would have shot Yoko instead of John.
...if he would have shot Yoko instead of John.
No, nobody that kills should ever be released.
No, nobody that kills should ever be released.
This is a valid point. But anyone who thinks he should not be released due to the specific person he killed I would have to whole-heartedly disagree with. Just because you think that John Lennon was a cool cat doesn't mean that you should punish his killer worse than if he had killed John Doe.
Oh, and I almost forgot, congratulations!!
He should be released...
...if he would have shot Yoko instead of John.
LOL!
No, nobody that kills should ever be released.
Disagree. Everyone who kills should go to correctional clinics and be able to go back into the world with a fresh start. Of course, this is nearly impossible.
Inside every killer is still a real person, although in most cases they themselves don't even know who that real person is anymore, if they ever did. However, I'm not a psychologist, so don't ask me to elaborate any further.
But psychology aside, anyone has the ability to see that killers, you, and I are all people, all the same. It's tough for many people to see this.
Wow Bob.. I wasn't expecting to hear anything like that. It's a bit too all-inclusive for me to agree with, but in some cases I would.
Such as someone who has temporarily 'snapped' and lost control might never encounter the same circumstances again, no moreso than anyone else might and who might have acted in the same manner.
An example might be someone responding to the harm of their family member and taking immediate retaliation. This to me is completely understandable and I wouldn't fear such a person being in the community, in fact I would welcome them.
But in a case where the killer has a history of violent behavior and has not sought treatment or shown improvement, for example someone who commits spousal abuse.. and ends up going too far and killing... this type of person should never see freedom again in my opinion.
Or anyone who has been found to have murdered multiple times due to some sort of derangement (a serial killer for example) but in this case I doubt they'd have much chance of freedom anyway.
But Chapman, to me is an in-between case. From my limited knowledge of his life, I would say he was suffering from severe mental problems which led him to his actions, and perhaps with proper treatment he is/could be a threat no longer.
So then why do I say an 'in-between' case? Because first and foremost, society deserves to be protected against possible harm from such people. It would have to be crystal clear that he had returned to a mental state which was suitable for a return to society, and even then, close monitoring for an extended period of time should be required.
As much as the thought may sicken some people, I agree that there are cases where even murderers should have a second chance.
Such as someone who has temporarily 'snapped' and lost control might never encounter the same circumstances again, no moreso than anyone else might and who might have acted in the same manner.
An example might be someone responding to the harm of their family member and taking immediate retaliation. This to me is completely understandable and I wouldn't fear such a person being in the community, in fact I would welcome them.
But in a case where the killer has a history of violent behavior and has not sought treatment or shown improvement, for example someone who commits spousal abuse.. and ends up going too far and killing... this type of person should never see freedom again in my opinion.
Or anyone who has been found to have murdered multiple times due to some sort of derangement (a serial killer for example) but in this case I doubt they'd have much chance of freedom anyway.
But Chapman, to me is an in-between case. From my limited knowledge of his life, I would say he was suffering from severe mental problems which led him to his actions, and perhaps with proper treatment he is/could be a threat no longer.
So then why do I say an 'in-between' case? Because first and foremost, society deserves to be protected against possible harm from such people. It would have to be crystal clear that he had returned to a mental state which was suitable for a return to society, and even then, close monitoring for an extended period of time should be required.
As much as the thought may sicken some people, I agree that there are cases where even murderers should have a second chance.
No, nobody that kills should ever be released.
Disagree. Everyone who kills should go to correctional clinics and be able to go back into the world with a fresh start. Of course, this is nearly impossible.
Inside every killer is still a real person, although in most cases they themselves don't even know who that real person is anymore, if they ever did. However, I'm not a psychologist, so don't ask me to elaborate any further.
But psychology aside, anyone has the ability to see that killers, you, and I are all people, all the same. It's tough for many people to see this.
Completely agree.
Why not? Just because he killed somebody famous?
Indeed,
If they release Chapman, I'll eat my hat.
I agree with Whirled Peas and Sir GH... It's impossible to generalize...
Anyway I don't think that Chapman will be released... Jail is a far safer place for him...
Albyboy
Anyway I don't think that Chapman will be released... Jail is a far safer place for him...
Albyboy
True dat.
Anybody who sets out to deliberately murder another person deserves the same outcome, and the same should go to rapist's and child abusers, because basically they are no use or ornament to human society, just recently in the UK, a man raped a 13 month old baby,(yes 13 month), his punishment?, 5 years in prison.