"What motivates an individual to commit such a heinous act?" : Taking a fresh look at the killing of John Lennon.

72 Films, a production company, focuses on creating “box set” documentaries according to executive producer Rob Coldstream. These documentaries involve delving deep into archives to explore captivating figures, events, or moments in history that also offer insights into the world. While they have covered intriguing subjects like Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Bashar al-Assad, their newest project, John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial, is a three-part series available on Apple TV that posed a unique challenge due to its apparent simplicity.

There are no big question marks hanging over the assassination of the former Beatle and counterculture icon by Mark David Chapman: plenty of eyewitnesses watched it play out in front of the Dakota apartments, Chapman was immediately apprehended, and his guilty plea stuck him with a 20-to-life sentence at the Green Haven correctional facility, where he remains today. The co-directors Coldstream and Nick Holt reasoned that they would break new ground on the subject by privileging depth over breadth, inspecting the known components of an infamous case more closely than anyone had before with help from those embedded in the situation.

Coldstream explains that while many previous shows have touched on different aspects of John’s death and the role of Mark David Chapman, their goal was to create a comprehensive and unbiased account of the events. They did not want to sensationalize the true-crime aspect or turn it into entertainment, but rather present the information objectively. As they delved into the topic, they discovered that there was a significant amount of evidence and discourse surrounding Chapman’s mental state that had not been given much attention. Through their research, they were able to uncover new perspectives from individuals who had not previously shared their insights on the matter.

Instead of contemplating one of the most extensively studied public figures of the 20th century, the three parts of the series shift their focus away from Lennon to create a highly detailed profile of Chapman. His perplexing motivations both confounded and captivated Coldstream. After years of research and two years of production, the team consulted representatives from both sides of the legal battle, investigators, psychiatrists, and a few witnesses to make sense of a tragedy that still remains incomprehensible to many fans. Lennon’s vocal support for peace only adds to the confusion surrounding his untimely death, which Coldstream uses as the foundation for his exploration.

“The narrative’s conflict stemmed from the challenge of piecing together clues to understand Chapman’s mindset,” Coldstream elaborates. “Our goal was to present the evidence from both the prosecution and defense without embellishment. There was no need for mystery as it was widely known that Chapman committed the murder. The central questions were: what motivated him to commit such a heinous act, and how should the justice system handle his case?”

Following the tragic shooting in 1980, there was a widespread desire to gain a deeper understanding of the events. Many turned to a narrative of an angry young man, similar to a creation myth, in order to explain what had happened. Mark David Chapman’s well-known fixation on The Catcher in the Rye positioned him as a self-proclaimed Holden Caulfield, feeling alienated by John Lennon’s perceived hypocrisy. Despite calling on people to imagine a world without possessions, Lennon enjoyed immense wealth in his own life. Chapman, who was delusional and disturbed, was unable to process the disappointments of the adult world and sought to alleviate his own torment by inflicting it on others. This was exemplified in Jared Leto’s portrayal of Chapman in the film Chapter 27, which was deemed “quite good” by Coldstream upon investigation.

Using traditional methods of making phone calls and conducting thorough research, Coldstream found individuals who had a deeper understanding of Chapman’s mindset, including lawyer David Suggs. Suggs tried to convince Chapman to use an insanity defense as a last resort to avoid going to jail. Initially, Chapman seemed willing to take this route but then surprised everyone by confessing to being fully aware of his actions and accepting his punishment.

Suggs ponders the significance of responsibility and regret to Chapman, two ideas that were highlighted by a character witness that Suggs’ team located many years ago. The most insightful viewpoint comes from Chapman’s childhood friend Vance Hunter, who remembered the physical and verbal mistreatment Chapman endured from his father. Hunter draws a connection between the damaging impact of this emotional environment and Chapman’s later involvement with psychedelics, born-again Christianity, and ultimately, murder.

According to Coldstream, he approached this project without any preexisting ideas. When first learning about [Chapman], he had limited knowledge. It was intriguing to hear the perspectives of law enforcement and mental health professionals, but it wasn’t until they spoke with his childhood acquaintances that [Chapman] became a more complex and multi-dimensional individual. The intent was not to create a film that would redeem Mark David Chapman, as there is no belief in a wrongful conviction. However, the focus was on developing empathy and comprehending the circumstances that contributed to his mental health struggles.

Coldstream faced difficult decisions when portraying a universally despised villain, even when dealing with factual evidence. In order to show sensitivity without absolving, he presents multiple perspectives to showcase the harm that Chapman caused and experienced. The documentary includes a news clip of a devastated fan in denial, claiming that Lennon would never leave them, similar to those awaiting the second coming of Christ. The film also delves into the extreme beliefs that arose from this obsession, including conspiracy theories alleging CIA involvement in Chapman’s actions through the use of drugs. Perhaps the most emotional moment is an interview with Lennon and Yoko Ono’s son Sean, who only knew his father as “Dad”.

Coldstream acknowledges that for those under 40, the events surrounding the Beatles may seem like ancient history. His own children have only a basic understanding of Beatle lore. However, the generation that popularized the concept of parasocial relationships should have no trouble understanding how people from all walks of life projected their values onto someone who gave them something to believe in and inspired them. The series presents this idea as the closest it can come to explaining why Chapman’s perceived betrayal was so personal and difficult to bear. Ending with Sean’s quiet grief adds a poignant element to Coldstream’s approach – not excusing or condemning Chapman, but expressing sadness that he had to go through what he did and had no other outlet for his inner turmoil.

Coldstream explains that when you listen to Chapman, who is in prison, trying to understand himself and the situation, you may feel a compassionate inclination towards him. However, it is also important to acknowledge the terrible act he committed and our duty to acknowledge that. One of Lennon’s fans eloquently expresses how amidst all the chaos surrounding his death, Lennon’s life was centered around peace. In terms of forgiveness versus revenge, it is clear which side John would have chosen.