No Parole For Lennon Killer

Mark David Chapman, the murderer of John Lennon, was denied parole today (10/9). Noting that Chapman's release would "deprecate the seriousness" of the ex-Beatle's 1980 killing, a three-member New York State Parole Commission panel voted unanimously to keep him imprisoned. Chapman, sentenced to 20 years to life in jail, was first denied parole in October 2000. As this parole decision states, while Chapman's behavior behind bars has been "very positive," the killer's "positive adjustment in this controlled and highly structured environment cannot predict your community behavior." Chapman will be eligible for release again in October 2004. (1 page)