Mark David Chapman was sentenced to 20 years to life after Lennon's murder and has been serving his sentence at the Wende Correctional Facility in New York, and he is up for parole this week. He has been given this opportunity seven times before.
John Lennon's killer is up for parole this week >>
Chapman is now awaiting his fate after being interviewed by state parole officials this week, and a decision could be announced as early as Friday, the New York Daily News reports.
Despite having a clean prison record since 1994, Chapman is not expected to be released. During his past parole hearings, he has claimed his release would "undermine respect for the law," something the The Beatles star's widow Yoko Ono appears to agree with because she is once again fighting against his release.
John Lennon: Quotes from a musical genius >>
Ono has claimed Chapman's freedom would threaten not only her safety, but also that of her two sons, Sean and Julian, whom she shared with the late singer. The release of Chapman would mean the family would have to live with the fear that they, too, might be attacked by Lennon's killer.
Ono allegedly has submitted a letter reaffirming her statements in prior letters to the Parole Board, according to her lawyer, Jonas Herbsman.
Paul McCartney: Yoko didn't break up the Beatles >>
Chapman has been denied parole in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012.
If denied release this time around, he would have to wait another two years to be eligible again.
According to the Daily Mail, Chapman is reportedly kept in protective custody while serving his time at the Wende Correctional Facility, and he is allowed out of his cell for only three hours a day. He also is allowed to have conjugal visits with his wife, Gloria Chapman, who he married before committing the murder.
