Mark David Chapman, John Lennon’s Killer, Denied Parole

Mark David Chapman, the man who killed The Beatles’ John Lennon, has been denied parole for a ninth time.

Mark David Chapman Denied Parole

Chapman, 61, was denied parole by the New York state Board of Parole Monday. Chapman, who had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for Lennon’s death, is serving a 20-years to life sentence for the 1980 shooting. He had killed the musician outside of his luxury apartment building in Manhattan, where he lived with his wife Yoko Ono.

The parole board determined that Chapman should be denied parole based on the premeditation of the crime, as well as its “celebrity-seeking” nature.

“Your release would be incompatible with the welfare of society,” the board wrote. “And would so deprecate that seriousness of the crime as to undermine respect for the law.”

Chapman was last up for parole in 2014. At the time, he told the board, “I am sorry for causing that type of pain. I am sorry for being such an idiot and choosing the wrong way for glory.” He had added of Lennon, “Many, many people loved him. He was a great and talented man and they are still hurting. I get letters so that’s a major factor. It’s not a regular crime.”

Chapman will be eligible to seek parole for a tenth time in 2018.