Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor
Brian Fischer, Commissioner (DOCCS)

Contact: Peter K. Cutler, Director of Public Information
518-457-8182 (o) or 518-925-5022 (c)
peter.cutler@doccs.ny.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 23, 2012

Mark David Chapman Denied Parole

ALBANY – Inmate Mark David Chapman (81A3860) was interviewed by videoconference at the maximum security Wende Correctional Facility by the New York State Board of Parole on Wednesday, August 22nd. Chapman, 57, was denied parole. This was Chapman’s seventh appearance before the Parole Board. His next scheduled appearance will be in August 2014. He came into DOCCS custody on August 25, 1981 serving a sentence of 20 years to life for murder. He was first eligible for parole on December 4, 2000.

The Parole Board’s decision is below:

2012 PAROLE BOARD DECISION

Decision: Denied - Hold For 24 Months, Next Appearance Date: 08/2014

Deciding Board Member: Thompson, Sally A
Other Member(S): Crangle, Joseph P Coppola, Marc

Your instant offense of murder in the 2nd degree, wherein you shot and killed an innocent victim, an international music star. Your actions clearly demonstrated a callous disregard for the sanctity of human life. Your record does not show any prior convictions. The panel notes your prison record of good conduct, program achievements, educational accomplishments, positive presentation remorse, risk and needs assessment, letters of support, significant opposition to your release and all other statutory factors were considered. However, parole shall not be granted for good conduct and program completions alone. Therefore, 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.

A transcript of Chapman’s Parole Board interview will be distributed as soon as it is available. The attached Chapman mug shot was taken May 15, 2012.

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