John Lennon's killer refused parole for the fourth time

Published on 11/10/2006 11:50

JOHN LENNON's killer has been denied parole for a fourth time.

Mark Chapman, 51, will now remain at Attica Correctional Facility in New York for at least two more years for shooting the former Beatle outside his Manhattan home on 8 December 1980.

Chapman appeared before a panel yesterday.

After the 16-minute hearing, the board wrote a one-page decision, which said: "The panel remains concerned about the bizarre nature of this premeditated and violent crime.

"Your release would not be in the best interest of the community."

The decision came a day after what would have been Lennon's 66th birthday.

Chapman has been in prison for 25 years. He became eligible for release after serving 20 years of a life sentence.

When Chapman killed Lennon, the 25-year-old with a history of mental illness did not even run from the scene.

Instead he stood holding a copy of JD Salinger's novel Catcher in the Rye and an LP Lennon had signed for him hours earlier.