I am the Paulrus
May 11, 2005, 12:22 PM
Yoko dismay at Chapman chat
May 11, 2005
By Mike Hornby, Liverpool Echo
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0800beatles/0050news/tm_objectid=15505270%26method=full%26siteid=50061% 26headline=yoko%2ddismay%2dat%2dchapman%2dchat-name_page.html
YOKO Ono today attacked a Channel 4 decision to broadcast an interview with John Lennon's killer Mark Chapman.
December marks 25 years since Lennon was shot five times by Chapman outside the star's home in New York. Had Lennon survived, he would have been 65 on October 9 this year.
As part of a series of programmes to mark the anniversaries, Channel 4 is reported to be planning to show an interview Chapman gave from his prison cell.
Yoko Ono said: "I think that it's horrible for Channel 4 to do this.
" It shows a lack of understanding of the painful memories of what happened to John's beautiful life.
"Myself, John's family and so many fans will be hurt by the showing of such a programme."
The plans have also been attacked by Beatles fan clubs across the world, many noting the irony that Chapman's motivation for the murder was to achieve celebrity for himself.
Richard Porter, of the British Beatles Fan Club which has one of the most popular websites dedicated to the group, said it had been inundated with protests.
He said: "This news has disheartened many fans because it means Chapman is finally getting what he wanted - star treatment.
" Channel 4 should be celebrating the life of one of this country ' s greatest musicians and peace campaigners, not giving a voice to his killer."
Mark Chapman shot Lennon outside the Dakota building in New York City on December 8 1980. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Since 2000 , when his minimum jail tariff was complete, he has been refused parole twice.
Channel 4 declined to comment.
May 11, 2005
By Mike Hornby, Liverpool Echo
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0800beatles/0050news/tm_objectid=15505270%26method=full%26siteid=50061% 26headline=yoko%2ddismay%2dat%2dchapman%2dchat-name_page.html
YOKO Ono today attacked a Channel 4 decision to broadcast an interview with John Lennon's killer Mark Chapman.
December marks 25 years since Lennon was shot five times by Chapman outside the star's home in New York. Had Lennon survived, he would have been 65 on October 9 this year.
As part of a series of programmes to mark the anniversaries, Channel 4 is reported to be planning to show an interview Chapman gave from his prison cell.
Yoko Ono said: "I think that it's horrible for Channel 4 to do this.
" It shows a lack of understanding of the painful memories of what happened to John's beautiful life.
"Myself, John's family and so many fans will be hurt by the showing of such a programme."
The plans have also been attacked by Beatles fan clubs across the world, many noting the irony that Chapman's motivation for the murder was to achieve celebrity for himself.
Richard Porter, of the British Beatles Fan Club which has one of the most popular websites dedicated to the group, said it had been inundated with protests.
He said: "This news has disheartened many fans because it means Chapman is finally getting what he wanted - star treatment.
" Channel 4 should be celebrating the life of one of this country ' s greatest musicians and peace campaigners, not giving a voice to his killer."
Mark Chapman shot Lennon outside the Dakota building in New York City on December 8 1980. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Since 2000 , when his minimum jail tariff was complete, he has been refused parole twice.
Channel 4 declined to comment.