Mark David Champman, the man who killed John Lennon in 1980, will spend at least two more years behind bars after he was denied parole.
For Chapman, it was his eighth attempt to be released. The three-member parole board once again turned down his request, saying that "the panel has determined that if released at this time, there is a reasonable probability that you would not live and remain at liberty without again violating the law. ... Your release would be incompatible with the welfare of society and would so deprecate the serious nature of the crime as to undermine respect for the law."
Chapman, now 59, shot Lennon as he and Yoko Ono were returning from a recording session. Chapman was sentenced to twenty years to life for the killing.
Ono sent a letter to the board asking that he not be released as did many others in the community. Chapman did receive some letters of support and, it was noted by the board, has had a clean record in the prison for the last twenty years.
Chapman may again request parole in two years.
