John Lennon's killer denied parole

John Lennon's killer will stay behind bars for at least two more years after his parole was denied, a spokesman for New York's parole board told dpa on Friday.

Mark David Chapman, 63, shot the Beatles singer in front of his apartment by New York's Central Park in December 1980 and was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.

Chapman's release would be "incompatible with the welfare and safety of society," the parole panel wrote in its decision.

"You admittedly carefully planned and executed the murder of a world-famous person for no reason other than to gain notoriety," the report said.

The panel added that his release could put the public at risk as there is a likelihood someone could try to harm Chapman out of anger or revenge. Chapman was first eligible for parole in 2000.

This is the tenth time he has had his request denied. He will next be eligible to apply for release in August 2020.