A parole board in New York has refused John Lennon's killer, Mark Chapman, parole on the grounds that his crime back in 1980 showed "extreme malicious intent". It is the third time Chapman has been up for parole - each time Yoko Ono has called for the application to be refused on the basis his release would put her and Lennon's two sons at risk. This time round thousands of Lennon fans added their opposition to the parole application in an online petition.
Turning down the parole application the board told Chapman that he had "a clear lack of respect for life" and subjected Lennon's widow Yoko Ono to "monumental suffering by her witnessing the crime". However they added that a recent interview with Chapman plus a review of his prison records were also considered before making their decision. But, despite acknowledging Chapman's "positive disciplinary record" the board concluded: "To release you on parole at this time would significantly undermine respect for the law."