From the archive, 25 August 1981: Lennon's killer to serve 20 years

Originally published in the Guardian on 25 August 1981Mark Chapman, who had pleaded guilty at a previous bearing to the murder of John Lennon, was sentenced here yesterday to 20 years to life.While two psychiatrists gave evidence on his behalf, and while prosecution and defence lawyers made final addresses, Chapman sat in a blue T-shirt holding a copy of J. D. Salinger's book, Catcher In the Rye, with whose hero he claims to identify.Chapman arrived at the New York State Supreme Court, escorted ...

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