MARK DAVID CHAPMAN, the man who shot JOHN LENNON to death 20 years ago, has been denied parole in his first attempt to gain release from prison.

Chapman, 45, was interviewed for 50 minutes on Tuesday morning (3Oct00) at the maximum-security Attica state prison by three parole board members.

About four hours later, Chapman was given the board's one-page determination, beginning with the words "parole is denied." The board called Chapman's killing of Lennon "calculated and unprovoked". In addition to being one of the most famous musicians in the world, Lennon was also a "husband and a father of two young children", the board said. "Your most vicious and violent act was apparently fuelled by your need to be acknowledged," the parole board said. "During your parole hearing, this panel noted your continued interest in maintaining your notoriety. The board concluded that releasing Chapman now would "deprecate the seriousness of the crime and serve to undermine respect for the law".

Chapman is serving 20 years to life in Attica after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in June 1981 for shooting Lennon outside the British rock star's Manhattan apartment on 8 December 1980 as he and his wife Yoko Ono returned following a recording session.

The board's decision means Chapman will be held for two more years until he is eligible for another parole hearing in October 2002. (PDD/WNWCAN)

Source: WENN