John Lennon would be turning 70 on October 9. His life was cut short when Mark David Chapman accosted him outside his New York City apartment on December 8, 1980. He had stalked Lennon for three days and finally shot the singer four times in the back.
The murderer was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. He was interviewed by a three-member panel of Parole Board Commissioners yesterday (September 7) and denied parole.
This was the sixth time that Chapman has sought to be released. The New York Daily News reported the parole board commented that his release was "inappropriate at this time and incompatible with the welfare of the community."
Chapman will be eligible for another parole interview in August 2012.
The parole board received 75 letters against Chapman’s release. One of those letters was written by John Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono. She has steadfastly opposed the release of the man who assassinated her husband.