John Lennon's killer Mark Chapman feels 'more and more shame' every year

Prisoner denied parole for 10th time

The man who murdered John Lennon has said he feels “more and more shame” every year about the killing.

Mark David Chapman told a parole board in August about his remorse during his 10th unsuccessful attempt to be released.

A transcript of the hearing was released earlier this week by New York prison officials.

Now 63 years old, Chapman is serving 20 years to life in the Wende Correctional Facility in New York.

He shot the former Beatle to death outside his Manhattan apartment on 8 December 1980.

Chapman told the parole board members that Lennon was “incredible” to him earlier that day when he autographed an album. The prisoner said he thinks about that every day.

The state Board of Parole denied Chapman’s release, saying it “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”.

Their decision statement said: “Your criminal history report reflects that this is your only crime of record. However, that does not mitigate your actions.”

As he appeared before the panel in August, politicians and fans called for his release to be denied during a rally at Strawberry Fields, Lennon’s memorial in Central Park across from his former home.

Chapman has told previous hearings about letters he received about pain he caused. He said he shot the singer because of he was jealous of him and said he regretted choosing murder as a path to fame.

Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono has previously said she feared for her life and for his sons Julian and Sean if Chapman is released.

Chapman became eligible for parole in 2000 and will be appear before the board again in August 2020.