Lennon slaying suspect changes plea to guilty

Mark David Chapman, the accused killer of ex-Beattle John Lennon, changed his plea to guilty of second-degree murder Monday over the protests of his attorney, who wanted him to plead innocent by reason of insanity. Judge Dennis Edwards in New York Supreme Court, declaring that Mr. Chapman had decided to plead guilty of his own free will, set Aug. 24 as the date for sentencing.

Chapman's attorney said he opposed his client's change in plea and said it was based on two conservations earlier this month that Chapman claimed he had wi th God.