Mark David Chapman, imprisoned for murdering former Beatle John Lennon in New York closely 28 eld ago, has been denied parole for a fifth time.
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 construction on December 8, 1980.
Ono was not immediately available for commentary on Chapman's parole denial.
The board noted that Chapman's disciplinary record book had been clean since October 1994, but that during his parole interview, he stated that he planned and executed "the premeditated murder of John Lennon with an essentially clear mind".
"Your conduct so precipitated a horrendously tragic event which has impacted many individuals," the board said.
"Your discretionary release at this time would so not be compatible with the public assistance of society at heavy, and would tend to deprecate the seriousness of the instant offense, and undermine regard for the law."
Heather Groll, spokeswoman for the New York State Division of Parole, aforesaid the display panel received a petition with about 1100 signatures and about 50 letters opposing Chapman's freeing and trey letters load-bearing his release.
Chapman, who is behind bars at Attica prison close Rochester, New York, was also denied parole in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006. He may give for watchword again in 2010.
Erik Kriss, spokesman for the New York State Department of Correctional Services, told Reuters that Chapman was being held in a special isolated lodging unit away from the general prison population because of fears for his safety.
Chapman has a certificate in effectual research and helps other inmates with research in a little law library separate from the main prison library, Kriss said. He likewise works as a porter's beer and cleans some administrative areas.
Kriss aforesaid Chapman has also been part of the prison's "family reunion" program, which has allowed him connubial visits with his wife for the past 16 years.
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