John Lennon killer again seeking parole

ALBANY, N.Y., Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Mark David Chapman, who killed John Lennon more than 30 years ago, is set for another parole hearing, New York State corrections officials say.

Carole Claren-Weaver, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Corrections, said Chapman's interview with two or three members of the Parole Board will be next week, possibly Tuesday, CNN reported. Chapman, who was sentenced to 20 years to life, has been rejected for parole six times at two year intervals since 2000.

Chapman, 57, the son of a U.S. Army sergeant, had a history of irrational behavior when he shot Lennon in December 1980 outside the Dakota, an apartment building on Central Park West in Manhattan where the former Beatle was living with his wife, Yoko Ono.

Chapman was transferred to the Wende Correctional Facility in Alden, N.Y., from Attica Prison.

Claren-Weaver said Chapman is in protective custody. He has reportedly had a clean prison record since 1994 and recently applied to participate in a program called "family reunion" that would allow him more time with family members.

Ono, who still owns apartments in the Dakota, has written the board during Chapman's previous bids for release, urging that he be denied parole.