John Lennon’s killer Mark Chapman denied parole for 10th time

[Nergal]

 

"You demonstrated a callous disregard for the sanctity of human life"

Mark Chapman, the man who shot dead John Lennon, has been denied parole at the tenth time of trying.

Chapman, 63, will stay behind bars after his appeal was turned down by the parole board in New York yesterday.

The killer was caged for 20 years to life after he shot the Beatles icon at the entrance to his New York home in December 1980.

Chapman, who previously claimed that he murdered Lennon because he wanted to secure fame, will have to wait another two years before he applies for parole once more.

His appeal was previously turned down in 2016.

Explaining the decision to keep him behind bars at the Wende Correctional Facility, the parole board said: “You admittedly carefully planned and executed the murder of a world-famous person for no reason other than to gain notoriety.

“While no one person’s life is any more valuable than another’s life, the fact that you chose someone who was not only a world renown person and beloved by millions, regardless of the pain and suffering you would cause to his family, friends and so many others, you demonstrated a callous disregard for the sanctity of human life and the pain and suffering of others.”

It is believed that Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono once again voiced her opposition to Chapman’s bid for freedom, writing a letter to the parole board every time he attempts to seek release.

She claims that that Chapman’s release would post a direct threat to both her and Lennon’s sons Julian and Sean.