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Post by Michael Capasse on May 20, 2021 7:12:39 GMT -5
Dec. 08, 1980It was an unusually warm day in NY that second Monday in Dec., with temperatures in the mid - upper 60 F's. John & Yoko had a busy schedule with interviews, a photo shoot, and a recording session into the evening. The album, "Double Fantasy", was out about 2 weeks, and the single "(Just Like) Starting Over", was doing well. The session that evening was slated for a new Yoko Ono song, "Walking on Thin Ice". Her latest b-side "Kiss, Kiss, Kiss", was already an underground hit in the dance clubs, and it seemed now, the fans just might be ready for Yoko Ono. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ On Display, By DesignMark had arrived in NY on Sat. Dec 06 th, and was, so far, unsuccessful in any encounter with the musician. Homosexual behavior in the next room at the "Y" disgusted him to leave, although he considered busting down the door and blasting. Sunday (Dec. 07 th), Chapman checked out of the "Y" at 63 rd St, and booked a week in the $82 a night Sheridan Hotel on 7 th Ave.. He paid with a Visa card, as if wanting to save cash, yet still had over $2,000 in his pocket. Mark got up on the 8th about 10:30a, Before leaving his room he setup a display to be found that was designed to show
the "real Mark". DA Allen Sullivan told Bresler in 1985, "He laid them out in such a way that they would make a display as you
came into the room...He even went out of the room and came back again to make sure it had the maximum effect."
----------------------------------------------- The items left displayed were;
* A pocket Bible inscribed Holden Caulfield, to which he added to the gospel according to St. John,"Lennon". * Opened at St. Mark, chapter 7, describing Jesus among the Pharisees, a biblical euphemism for phonies. * His expired passport showing his different immigration stamps received during his world trip in 1978. * Letter of introduction that David Moore had given him for use on that trip. * An eight track tape by his true rock idol, Todd Rundgren, * A photograph of himself with Vietnamese refugee children at Fort Chaffee. * Photograph of his old 1965 Chevrolet car. * Airline Tickets, Honolulu - Chicago - Honolulu in its folder with his baggage tag attached, but no ticket from Chicago to New York. * A still from the Wizard of Oz showing Dorothy wiping away the cowardly lion's tears
As he walked the twenty blocks toward Dakota, he realized he didn't have the book, "The Catcher in the Rye", and stopped in a book store. On the title page he inscribed, "To Houlden Caulfield from Houlden Caulfiled" "This is my Statement"
Once he arrived at the building, he asked Perdomo if Lennon was around, he said, yes, but hadn't seen him yet today. While waiting, he met two girls, he took to them lunch at a local grill, and was back at Dakota that afternoon. Part time photographer, Paul Goresh was there, hoping for a shot of Lennon or one of the other celebrities that lived in the building.
Paul Simon, Lauren Bacall, and Mia Farrow, all came out of Dakota that day, Goresh took pictures. It was a good day. Around 5pm, a station wagon pulled up and 5 year old Sean Lennon, and his nanny got out. There was a burst of excitement in the group. "...there's Sean!!.." The fans that already knew him, introduced him to Mark as Chapman bent down to shake his little hand.
Shortly after that, John & Yoko appeared and were waiting on the street for their limousine to take them to Record Plant. Chapman stepped up and asked Lennon to sign his copy of "Double Fantasy", while Goersh's camera snapped away. John asked was there anything else he needed, Mark replied no, and the Lennons were off to an evening's work.
Around 8:30p Goersh, said he was tired and asked Chapman if he wanted to get something to eat. Mark said no. Goersh said he was leaving, to which Mark replied, "I'd wait if I were you. You never know if you'll see him again."
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Post by Michael Capasse on May 20, 2021 7:13:16 GMT -5
It HappenedBeyond this point in the thread, I'm going to step out of the Bresler book, to look at the specifics of the crime scene. The reason that is necessary is, the actions and positions of key individuals has been reported differently in various accounts. There are strikingly dissimilar versions of exactly what happened and there were no witnesses, but the doorman Jose Perdomo. The witness Bresler mentions, Sean Strub, came a bit later. Yoko's position in the below account is very confusing. Was she right next to him, or if ahead of him, how far? If he stumbled up the steps into the office area, where was Yoko? Discrepancies in these different accounts, of where the bullet damage is in relation to his position, are the same variants that exist in both the Kennedy assassinations. Similar questions about shot count, trajectories, wound locations, and damage. Below is Brelser's account from his book, "Who Killed John Lennon?" I think it is what most people know the story as. I'm not sure it is correct. If Yoko is walking ahead of him, and he's at 22 feet from the curb, is she already inside the entrance? If Chapman didn't call his name, [he told the parole board he didn't], then what would cause Lennon to turn? John is shot 4 times, two in the left side of his back and two in his left shoulder. He staggered toward the steps. Directly across from the lobby steps, is a service elevator entrance. One could hide with a direct line. There is damage to the glass enclosure just beyond the steps on the right side of the archway, this is outside Chapman's line of fire. Could he have been shot in the side, staggered, and was then shot in the back? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Who Killed John Lennon? | Fenton Bresler "... By this time their rented limousine was on hand and it took them up 8th Avenue to Columbus Circle then glided north along Central Park West to 72nd Street, where it turned sharp left at the lights and pulled up in front of The Dakota. It was 10:50 [pm]. Yoko got out first, with John clutching the tapes from their session in his hand and trailing a few steps behind. As he passed under the ornate archway leading to the building’s interior courtyard, a voice called out from behind: "Mr. Lennon." He half turned to see Mark crouched in a combat stance less than twenty feet away. Five times his .38 fired at point-blank range, pumping four bullets into Lennon’s back and left shoulder. One went astray as Lennon, almost killed outright by the first explosion of steel particles shattering into his body, staggered up the five steps to the entrance office—to fall flat on his face, gurgling and bringing up blood. Yoko screamed at Jay Hastings, the front desk clerk until then quietly reading a magazine: "John’s been shot! John’s been shot!" He grabbed the phone for the police. Unlike their earlier encounter, there was hardly anyone around. But as one witness, Sean Strub, described it, Mark had "almost a smirk on his face." Amazingly, he made no effort to run or to escape—although there was a subway entrance exactly opposite on the other side of the road, into which he could have dashed and made a strike for freedom. In fact, Jose Perdomo, in deep shock, screamed at him: "Leave! Get out of here!" But Mark just stood there. As a hysterical Yoko cradled Lennon’s head in her arms, Jose said in consternation: "Do you know what you’ve done?" "I just shot John Lennon," he replied. Then he threw down his gun, took off his overcoat and folded it up at his feet…and calmly began to read his paperback..."
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Post by Michael Capasse on May 20, 2021 7:13:48 GMT -5
Just Some Basic FactsFirst, it is important to document what is established: Much of this research comes from Salvador Astucia, "Rethinking John Lennon’s Assassination: The FBI’s War on Rock Stars". Here's an excellent diagram from the NY Times to demonstrate the crime scene itself. It is about 65 feet from the curb to the courtyard. The sidewalk is about 13 feet wide, Chapman was on the right side of the archway. Lennon walked more to the left side, he was about 22 feet from the curb when was shot, about 4 feet under the archway. Yoko having gotten out first was much further ahead, she did not wait for him, if he got out and walked 20 feet before being shot, she was already in the building. The police report is unclear where witnesses were as it happened, most importantly, Yoko. Most reports described John having fallen at the curb or at the steps under the archway. That is not true. Lennon was able to stagger up the 5 steps, open the concierge door, stagger a few feet and fall on to a desk near the lobby. Yoko was already inside, she did not follow him in. He was going to her. This is in very few accounts of the murder. Below is directly from the official police report with only some basic facts of the crime, it is absent on any of the above detail. John Lennon was the victim. Mark David Chapman was the perpetrator. Chapman was carrying $2,201.76 when he was arrested. The crime location was 1 West 72 St. (the Dakota) at the archway entrance. The weapon used was a ".38 caliber snub nose." The crime occurred on December 8, 1980 at 10:50 PM. The arresting officer was Stephen Spiro assisted by patrolman Peter Cullen, both of the 20th Precinct. Excerpts from the report, describe the crime in extremely general terms. "...the victim was shot with the described weapon by the named suspect causing the victim's demise. ..." "P.O. Stephen Spiro...of the 20th Precinct responded to the scene of occurrence and arrested the perpetrator who was identified as Mark D. Chapman. ... The Perp was arraigned ... on 12/9, he was remanded, no bail. This case is closed pending final court disposition."
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Post by Michael Capasse on May 20, 2021 7:14:33 GMT -5
The WoundsJohn Lennon's autopsy is a private document owned by the family and not allowed for public viewing. There was no trial, therefore it was not held in any public record. But reports of the wounds indicate the victim's left side. According to the NY Times, Paul Montgomery [12/10/80], "The Lennons returned to the Dakota at about 10:50 pm alighting from their limousine on the 72nd Street curb although the car could have driven through the entrance and into the courtyard. Chief of Detectives James T. Sullivan said three witnesses— a doorman at the entrance, an elevator operator and a cab driver who had just dropped off a passenger—saw Mr. Chapman standing in the shadows just under the arch. As the couple walked by, Chief Sullivan said, Mr. Chapman called, "Mr. Lennon."
Then, he said, the assailant dropped into "a combat stance" and emptied his pistol at the singer. According to the autopsy, four shots struck Mr. Lennon, two in the left side of his back and two in his left shoulder. All four caused internal damage and bleeding. According to the police, Mr. Lennon staggered up six steps to the room at the end of the entrance used by the concierge, said "I’m shot," then fell face down."This does not make sense with Chapman behind him and to his right. Mark said Lennon turned and looked at him as he walked past. But the wounds are on the wrong side of the body of a man turning to his right. The left side would be more consistent with a shooter(s) from the service elevator area directly across from the entrance steps from the left side within the archway.
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Post by Michael Capasse on May 20, 2021 7:14:59 GMT -5
The Murder WeaponResearcher, Salvador Astucia, questions the murder weapon based on a statement Albert Goldman made in his book "The Lives of John Lennon". Goldman said, and Bresler repeated it, that Mark told Gloria, he had thrown the gun and bullets into the ocean. If this is true, then it raises serious doubts about his ownership of the murder weapon. The gun Chapman purchased was number 577570. Astucia has tried to write to the NYPD for a number of documents and clarification of the record. So far his requests have been refused. What I have doubts and questions about is the amount of times he traveled with that gun and/or bullets and not be detected at the airport. Five nearly consecutive flights, thru gate x-ray devices, and even if baggage was checked in, there is an initial screening into the terminal. I don't believe he had the gun every time. Then, the mysterious NY taxi two days before, carrying a satchel, the stop and go destinations. There should be no inconsistency with the serial number Mark purchased less than two months before. Asturcia documents a timeline on the gun. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Weapon Time Line | Salvador AstuciaOctober 27, 1980—Chapman purchases a .38 Special revolver for $169 from J&S Enterprises Ltd, a gun shop in midtown Honolulu. There is no waiting period. The transaction is completed within an hour. The serial number of the weapon is # 577570. October 29, 1980—Chapman flies to Newark, NJ from Honolulu. He has a one-way ticket. November 7, 1980—Chapman flies from NYC to Atlanta to get bullets for his gun because he forgot to purchase bullets before leaving Honolulu and was unable to buy them in NYC; local gun laws prevented out-of-state residents from purchasing ammunition there. The reason Chapman goes to Atlanta is to see his cop friend, Gene Scott, who gives him hollow-point bullets. November 9, 1980—Chapman flies back to NYC and checks into the Hotel Olcott at 27 West 72nd St., less than 200 yards from the Dakota. November 10, 1980—Chapman flies back to Honolulu because Dakota doorman Jose Perdomo told him John and Yoko were "out of town." "At some point after November 10th, while in Honolulu, Chapman reportedly throws his gun and bullets into the ocean. This assertion was made by Albert Goldman in his book, The Lives of John Lennon. The assertion was mentioned casually by Fenton Bresler in his book, Who Killed John Lennon? but was unchallenged by Bresler." December 6, 1980—Chapman flies to NYC. Two days later, Lennon is shot dead at the Dakota. "Chapman is arrested for the murder and subsequently receives a 20-year sentence. The NYPD finds a .38 revolver at the crime scene, but the police report does not specify the weapon’s serial number. Consequently, it is unknown if the .38 revolver found by police at the crime scene matches the serial number (577570) of .38 revolver Chapman purchased on October 27, 1980 from J&S Enterprises Ltd, a gun shop in midtown Honolulu. This is the gun that Chapman reportedly threw in the ocean, along with the hollow-point bullets he got from Gene Scott."
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Post by Michael Capasse on May 23, 2021 9:36:49 GMT -5
Bullet DamageAnother perplexing fact in the case, is the damage to the building. The official version said that Chapman fired 5 times, hit Lennon twice in the left side, twice in the left shoulder. One shot missed. Mark is to the right of the archway, aiming across the driveway. Lennon was walking toward the steps on the right. The problem is 3 bullet holes in the glass doorway that on the right side, where John was going. It is out of the line of fire. Police Officer Steve Spiro's personal notes describing the crime scene, "Turning to my right with the suspect [Chapman], I see the doorman, another male, and at least three bullet holes in the glass doors. My gun is now pointed toward the doorway."On the right side of the archway, there are the steps and the doorway John was trying to get to. This damage is on the wrong side of the archway. Charlie Haas, NY Daily News, submitted this graphic on Dec 10 th. He crams a lot into a small picture, but it demonstrates the trajectory is obviously inconsistent with shots fired from the right. On the left side of the driveway, and across from the steps, is another doorway leading to a service elevator. It is from that location that some believe Lennon was actually shot. It would be more consistent with the damage by the door. Fenton Bresler and Salvador Astucia, both theorize, Chapman, in a trance, either fired a blank, or some, or possibly not at all, While professional assassin(s) accomplished the deed from the darkness. The doorman, Jose Perdomo a Cuban exile, was part of "Operation 40". That CIA covert operation from the early '60, contained an assassination squad that attempted Castro, and may have been what turned on JFK. And one of those men just so happened to be the doorman at the Dakota that night. He kicked the gun away, he screamed at Chapman, "Leave! Get out of here!", and may have intended to reaffirm the mental suggestion when he asked Mark, "Do you know what you have just done?" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ How Many?Like other assassinations there is a question about the number of shots. Officially, five shots fired. One witness said, they had heard six shots, John was hit four times, so there was at least one bullet missing. The damage to the glass door could not have come from right to left. It is completely out of the line of fire. There was no damage along the opposite wall to ricochet back at the entrance. Perhaps one blank, then four shots.
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Post by Michael Capasse on May 23, 2021 9:37:20 GMT -5
The WitnessesResearcher, Salvador Astucia, tried to track down any witnesses that were mentioned in various articles. In a Dec. 10 th piece for the NY Times, Paul Montgomery, noted the following, "...a doorman at the entrance, an elevator operator and a cab driver who had just dropped off a passenger, saw Mr. Chapman standing in the shadows just under the arch." Note: It doesn't say they saw the shooting. As far as other people around, There was Jay Hastings, the desk clerk, just inside the lobby. More than likely Yoko was already inside waiting for her husband in that general area, when she heard the shots. In the above article, the doorman is Jose Perdomo, the Cuban exile with connections to the intelligence community. Astucia was not able to identify the passenger that was just dropped off, or if this person was around before or after the crime. The most interesting is the "elevator operator", because to be called that, he would have identified himself in that service area. When NYPD Peter Cullen arrived, he thought a "handy man" was the shooter, until Perdomo pointed out the correct suspect. That "handy man", was probably the elevator operator at the scene. The police report is absent of any wiitness names or statements. Jonathan Weiner told Astucia, he did not know the elevator operators name, further research from Astucia has come up without an identity. People Magazine | Jim Gaines"Patrolman Peter Cullen of New York’s 20th precinct was in the first police car to respond to the report of shots fired at the Dakota apartment house at 72nd Street and Central Park West. His first thought was that the handyman was the shooter. When the doorman indicated it was Chapman, Cullen’s instincts were offended. "He looked like a guy who worked in a bank, an office..." Bresler makes mention of a witness that may have seen Perdomo and the elevator operator standing there before the police arrived. Producer, Guy Louthan, was directly across the street when he heard the shots, he jumped out of bed to his 10 th floor window. He saw two men standing in the driveway at Dakota, just to the right of the archway, but he may not have seen Chapman. After the shooting and before the cops, Mark sat down. It was Chapman, the doorman and NYPD Spiro described as "another male".+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sean Strub | AP-UPI Dec. 09, 1980Another witness Bresler mentions by name is a bystander, Sean Strub. There are so many stories flying around in the initial hours, I can understand Bresler missing the specifics of this one. It is obvious from the UPI/AP feed below Strub was "around the corner" and did not see the actual shooting, and the NYPD had no need to spend any money or man power to find out. The case was grounded. "…A bystander, Sean Strub, said he was walking south near 72nd Street when he heard four shots. He said he went around the corner to Central Park West and saw Lennon being put into the back of a police car.
"Some people...heard six shots and said John was hit twice," Strub said.
He said others on the street told him the assailant had been "crouching in the archway of the Dakota... Lennon arrived in the company of his wife, and the assailant fired." He said the suspect, a "pudgy kind of man" 35 to 40 years old with brown hair, was put into another police car."
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Post by Michael Capasse on May 23, 2021 9:37:53 GMT -5
Distance BetweenAnother discrepancy is the distance between Chapman and Lennon. There are two different reports, 5 ft or 20 ft. Most accounts put the distance between the men as 5 feet, close range, or it's not specified. The 20 foot estimate comes from Mark directly at his sentencing hearing. This composite diagram from Astucia, shows with the 2 given locations, Lennon on left side Chapman on right. The maximum distance between the two can only be 5 feet. unless Lennon is closer to the courtyard. Considering the seriousness of his wounds, and the distance required walk, it would seem Lennon was further down the driveway. Still, what does not make sense is the side of the body sustaining the wounds was the opposite as expected by Chapman. There are virtually no accounts that put the killer more than 5 feet away and almost all have Yoko walking along side or in front of John. There were no witnesses to help clarify the matter. Mark's estimate in the sentencing hearing, fell on deaf ears. When Bresler tried to talk to Perdomo he refused. There is no indication of who gave this approximation to the press. Without knowing who gave the estimate of five feet, it cannot be trusted. Angles from the service elevators face Lennon's left side. The police report lacks this required basic information, but it didn't matter. The case was grounded before any investigation began. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Drive My CarAnother consideration I have not seen any researcher discuss is, the limo and driver. In all the depictions of the crime scene the car is in place, perhaps only to show its initial location. Perhaps not. It could be used to block the view of the driveway from across the street. The Lennons used a hired car service. It makes no difference if it was the same service, and usual driver(s). That would be expected, and they would get a lot of use working on a regimented schedule because of the baby. It then becomes relevant if it was not. An alternate driver could delay John at the car and clear the path to murder.
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Post by Michael Capasse on May 23, 2021 9:38:18 GMT -5
I Call Your NameJose Perdomo is the only witness and main accuser against Chapman. There is no one else. Yoko and Jay Hastings are both inside. There is another male outside, but any statement he made was not identified. There is no genuine source to the account of what happened, and because there was no trial, no further questions. However, there are additional disputes regarding the calling of John's name, and Mark in a "combat stance" position. Both of these accounts seem to come from second hand sources, Sean Strub was told of one, it is not clear from where though. The likely source was Perdomo, but that is not identified. These become disturbing conflicts in the official statements. A conspiracy could involve Perdomo in a number of ways. The fact that he was there is troubling enough, and beyond coincidence. Accounts I have seen put Jose on the left side of Lennon, or he may have called his name to get John to look left. Perhaps Jose put it in motion, or actually shot, or guided the logistics, or planted the gun. Perhaps no one said "Mr. Lennon". The conflict arises from the sentencing hearing in which Judge Edwards very specifically asked Mark, "Did you say anything at or about that time?" Chapman replied: "No, your Honor."If Mark did not call his name, what caused John to turn? As he walked across from left to right, he must have seen Mark. Chapman acknowledged, "..he looked at me". Only Perdomo, is to Lennon's left. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Combat StanceSome witness accounts said Mark crouched to a "combat stance". There are a number of different positions to consider. None are universal. It is where you position your feet, and the bending of the knees for an easy up and down movement. Chapman made no mention of any stance in his sentencing hearing, someone else had passed on this haunting obsessive detail. Yet, like the calling of "Mr. Lennon", that was left told only by Jose Perdomo, but then never put on record as the source.
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Post by Michael Capasse on May 23, 2021 9:38:51 GMT -5
#9 Dream
So long ago Was it in a dream? Was it just a dream?
I know, yes I know It seemed so very real Seemed so real to me
Took a walk down the street Through the heat whispered trees I thought I could hear
Hear Hear Hear
Somebody call out my name (John) As it started to rain Two spirits dancing so strange
Ah! Bowakawa, pousse pousse Ah! Bowakawa, pousse pousse Ah! Bowakawa, pousse pousse
Dream, dream away Magic in the air Was magic in the air?
I believe, yes I believe More I cannot say What more can I say?
On a river of sound Through the mirror go round, round I thought I could feel
Feel Feel Feel
Music touching my soul Something warm, sudden cold The spirit dance was unfolding
Ah! Bowakawa, pousse pousse Ah! Bowakawa, pousse pousse Ah! Bowakawa, pousse pousse Ah! Bowakawa, pousse pousse Ah! Bowakawa, pousse pousse Ah! Bowakawa, pousse pousse Ah! Bowakawa, pousse pousse Ah! Bowakawa, pousse pousse Ah! Bowakawa, pousse pousse Ah! Bowakawa, pousse pousse Ah! Bowakawa, pousse pousse Ah! Bowakawa, pousse pousse
John Lennon © 1974 Downtown Music Publishing
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