Mark Chapman, the man who murdered John Lennon twenty years ago has been denied parole. New York state law says that after 20 years in prison, prisoners come up for parole automatically.

The three-member panel met with Mark Chapman at the maximum-security Attica prison near Rochester, New York. In a statement, delivered first to Chapman the panel said:

"You had planned this crime for a protracted period of time and it is apparent that you were obsessed in causing fatal harm to John Lennon. In addition to being an international celebrity, Mr. Lennon was a husband and a father of two young children."
"During your parole hearing, this panel noted your continued interest in maintaining your notoriety."

In a recent interview Chapman said he felt that Lennon would have wanted him to be granted parole. "I think he would be liberal; I think he would care. I think he would probably want to see me released."

Mark Chapman's next parole hearing has been scheduled for October 2002.