Watch “John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial” only on Apple TV at https://tv.apple.com/us/show/john-lennon-murder-without-a-trial/umc.cmc.bbgldczdqayqjyllxp43v6a4
It’s wild how few flicks we’ve got on Lennon’s final day.
Now, a new angle: an interview with Lennon that day; vid of Lennon in the recording studio just an hour before; and new eyewitnesses who saw him shot at The Dakota.
Some highlights (spoiler alert!):
- Motive? Murderer Mark Chapman was a huge Beatles fan (and excellent guitarist) until he heard John Lennon say that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus.
- Why no trial? — Chapman’s legal eagles, playing the insanity card for a not-guilty, hoped for treatment behind bars. But Chapman, in a twist, nixed that play. The night before the trial, he claims a divine jailhouse visit, a chat with God no less, urging him to plead guilty. Quite the legal loop-de-loop.
- McCartney’s Reaction — Strange video footage of Paul reacting to the press about John’s murder. He comes across flippant by saying it’s a “drag”.