John Lennon’s killer denied parole again

NEW YORK – Mark David Chapman, who shot dead Beatles star John Lennon in 1981, was denied parole from prison on Thursday for the seventh time, officials said Thursday.

Chapman, 57, was told by the New York State Board of Parole at a hearing on Wednesday that despite his good behavior behind bars, he could not be freed.

“Your release at this time would greatly undermine respect for the law and tend to trivialize the tragic loss of life which you caused as a result of this heinous, unprovoked, violent, cold and calculated crime,” the board said in its decision.

Chapman will get another chance in two years.

The board praised his good conduct, including “educational accomplishments” and “remorse,” but said it had also taken into account “significant opposition to your release.”

Chapman was sentenced in 1981 to between 20 years and life in prison for Lennon’s murder on December 8, 1980, as the legendary singer-songwriter was walking with his wife Yoko Ono to their home by New York’s Central Park.

Chapman, who was mentally unstable and just 25 at the time, had staked out the musician’s apartment building.

Earlier in the day, the musician had even autographed a copy of his latest album “Double Fantasy” for the man who would kill him.

Chapman eventually pleaded guilty to the murder, and is currently being held at the Wende maximum security prison in Alden, New York. – Agence France-Presse