Lennon's Murderer Arraigned, Asks for Mental Examination

NEW YORK--Mark David Chapman, a 25-year-old former mental patient, was arraigned yesterday in Manhattan on second-degree murder charges for the killing of Beatle John Lennon.

Chapman, held without bail at Bellevue Hospital, entered no plea at his arraignment. Chapman had attempted suicide twice, Herbert Adelerberg, Chapman's court-appointed attorney said yesterday, asking that Chapman be given a psychiatric examination to determine if he could understand the charges.

Kim Hogrefe, assistant district attorney, said yesterday that Chapman was carrying $2000 when police arrested him Monday night outside the Dakota apartment building where Lennon lived with his wife, Yoko Ono, and their five-year-old son.

Authorities said Chapman came to New York for the sole purpose of killing Lennon, and Adelerberg said Chapman had been "a fan of John Lennon since he was ten years old."

Lennon's former songwriting partner, Paul McCartney said yesterday, "I can't take it in at the moment," adding that he would not be going to New York but would be paying his respects privately.

Ringo Starr, yesterday described by a spokesman as "extremely shocked," ended a Bahamas vacation and flew to New York.

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A spokesmas for George Harrison said yesterday, "He's just stunned. Like everyone else, he can't believe it's happened." Harrison has not decided if he will travel to New York, the spokesman added.

Calling Lennon's death "tragic," President-elect Reagan said yesterday "we have to find an answer" to stop such violence.

President Carter said yesterday Lennon "Helped create the mood and music of our time."

Saying yesterday that no funeral services will be held for her husband, Ono asked that fans all over the world take part in a silent vigil "to pray for his soul." She said the exact time for the vigil will be announced later.