John Lennon’s killer denied bail, ‘in danger’ if released

MARK David Chapman has been denied parole for the 10th time amid fears his life could be in jeopardy in an attempt to gain notoriety.

Mark David Chapman was sentenced to 20 years to life for the murder of former Beatle John Lennon. Picture: New York State Department of Corrections via AP

MARK David Chapman will remain behind bars for the murder of music legend John Lennon, citing concerns for Chapman’s safety.

The parole board said Chapman’s release “would be incompatible with the welfare and safety of society and would so deprecate the serious nature of the crime as to undermine respect for the law.”

The parole board also noted Chapman’s life may be in jeopardy as someone may try to harm him out of revenge or anger or even to gain similarly notoriety.

Mark David Chapman murdered John Lennon in 1980, here he is just five years prior to the murder in 1975.

Music legend John Lennon was murdered outside is apartment building in 1980 by Mark David Chapman.

This is the tenth time Chapman has been denied bail; he is currently serving a 20 years to life sentence and he will not be eligible for parole again until 2020.

The decision, obtained by The Associated Press read:

“While no one person’s life is any more valuable than another’s life, the fact that you chose someone who was not only a world renown person and beloved by millions, regardless of the pain and suffering you would cause to his family, friends and so many others, you demonstrated a callous disregard for the sanctity of human life and the pain and suffering of others.”

John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono in 1972, New York. Picture: AP

Chapman shot John Lennon outside his New York apartment building in 1980, after which he sat down on the kerb and began reading J.D. Salinger’s prolific novel, Catcher in the Rye.

The parole hearing generated much interest among Lennon fans, proving even after four decades he is still beloved by many.

Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis organised a rally in favour of the New York State parole board denying Chapman’s bail.

New York State Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis speaks at a news conference at the Strawberry Fields Memorial, in New York's Central Park. Picture: AP Photo/Richard Drew.

New York State Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, a Beatles fan called for the parole board to deny Chapman’s appeal. Picture: AP Photo/Richard Drew

Beatles fans joined Nicole Malliotakis at the Strawberry Fields Memorial, with signs. Picture: AP Photo/Richard Drew.

The rally, which appropriately took place at Strawberry Fields in Central Park, was held on 15 August.

“Join Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, Q104.3’s Jim Kerr and local Beatles fans at an upcoming rally, calling for the current parole board to keep this murderer behind bars,” the event on Facebook said.

“This parole board has freed those people responsible for the murder of cops, a prosecutor, and children. We MUST come together to stop them from releasing another dangerous criminal!”

Beatles fans united in the park, while Assemblywoman Malliotakis spoke to the crowd.

“I’m here today to call on the New York State parole board to deny the release of Mark Chapman.

“Mark Chapman should stay behind bars and so, in my opinion, so should these other murderers who have taken the lives of cops, of childrens and of other human beings.”

- With Wires