Mark Chapman Denied Parole for Sixth Time

Posted on Sep 8th 2010 7:30AM by Chris Mugan
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John Lennon's killer Mark Chapman has failed in his sixth attempt to gain parole on Tuesday (Sept. 7) and will now have to wait until August 2012 before he can re-apply.

John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono has consistently opposed his release, as she considers Chapman to be a threat to her and Lennon's two sons, Julian and Sean. The New York Daily News (via ABC) quoted her lawyer Peter Shukat as saying Ono was "very pleased" to hear of the decision to keep Chapman incarcerated.

Chapman, who shot Lennon in New York in December 1980, was interviewed via video by New York State's parole board. Gigwise reports its members acknowledged his clean prison record but noted the murderer's "premeditated, senseless and selfish act of tragic consequence."

His release would have come at a particularly sensitive time for Ono, who is supporting a series of events to mark the ex-Beatle's 70th birthday, including new editions of his solo albums and a set of Lennon-related time capsules. The artist and musician also paid a rare visit to Liverpool to visit his childhood home and open a children's centre, as reported by Spinner.