Lennon killer denied parole
2008-08-13 07:41
New York - Mark David Chapman,
imprisoned for murdering former Beatle John Lennon in New York
nearly 28 years ago, has been denied parole for a fifth time,
state authorities said on Tuesday.
The New York State Division of Parole said in a statement
that the 53-year-old's request for parole was denied "due to
concern for the public safety and welfare."
Chapman is serving a sentence of 20 years to life for
shooting and killing Lennon as he and his wife, Yoko Ono,
arrived at their apartment building on December 8, 1980.
Ono was not immediately available for comment on Chapman's
parole denial.
The board noted that Chapman's disciplinary record had been
clean since October 1994, but that during his parole interview,
he stated that he planned and executed "the premeditated
slaying of John Lennon with an essentially clear mind."
"Your conduct thus precipitated a horrendously tragic event
which has impacted many individuals," the board said. "Your
discretionary release at this time would thus not be compatible
with the welfare of society at large, and would tend to
deprecate the seriousness of the instant offense, and undermine
respect for the law."
Heather Groll, spokesperson for the New York State Division
of Parole, said the board received a petition with about 1 100
signatures and about 50 letters opposing Chapman's release and
three letters supporting his release.
Chapman, who is behind bars at Attica prison near
Rochester, New York, was also denied parole in 2000, 2002, 2004
and 2006. He may apply for parole again in 2010.
Erik Kriss, spokesperson for the New York State Department of
Correctional Services, told Reuters that Chapman was being held
in a special isolated housing unit away from the general prison
population because of fears for his safety.
Chapman has a certificate in legal research and helps other
inmates with research in a small law library separate from the
main prison library, Kriss said. He also works as a porter and
cleans some administrative areas.
Kriss said Chapman has also been part of the prison's
"family reunion" program, which has allowed him conjugal visits
with his wife for the past 16 years.