John Lennon’s killer again denied parole

John Lennon’s murderer has again been denied parole. He admitted that his 1980 shooting of the ex-Beatle meant he deserved to spend his whole life behind bars.

A Press Association freedom of information request reveals that a transcript of the parole hearing shows officials denied his release because “it would be incompatible with the welfare of society”.

The self-described “assassin”, now 65, approached the world’s most famous rock star outside his New York City home, asked him for his autograph and then shot and killed him in front of his wife, Yoko Ono.

Mark David Chapman, who describes himself as a “devoted Christian”, has said that he only killed Lennon because he wanted to be famous. In an effort to deny him that pleasure many Beatles fans still refuse to mention his name.

He is housed separately from other prison inmates for his own safety.

He apologised to Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono, who, at 87 suffers from an unnamed illness and needs constant care.

Chapman has said he believes he should have been given the death penalty.

He is next eligible for parole in two years.