Lennon killer fails in parole bid

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6039276.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Attempts by John Lennon's killer to get parole have been rebuffed for a fourth time because of his "bizarre" crime.

Mark Chapman, 51, will remain at New York's Attica Correctional Facility for at least two more years for shooting the former Beatle on 8 December 1980.

A panel at the jail noted Chapman's "satisfactory institutional adjustment" but decided his release would not be in the best interests of the community.

Chapman had a history of mental illness before he committed the murder.

He appeared before a three-person panel at Attica on Tuesday for a 16-minute hearing.

In a written decision, they concluded: "The panel remains concerned about the bizarre nature of this premeditated and violent crime.

"While the panel notes your satisfactory institutional adjustment, due to the extremely violent nature of the offence your release would not be in the best interest of the community."

The decision came one day after what would have been Lennon's 66th birthday.