John Lennon’s killer David Chapman denied parole for the 11th time

John Lennon was one of those few musicians who have had such an everlasting impact. Apart from his genre defying music, his protesting shaped policies of governments and inspired many to act. 

However, in 1980 he was tragically assassinated outside his Manhattan apartment. Mark David Chapman gunned Lennon down that fateful day, receiving a 20 years to life sentence for the second-degree murder charge.

He has been denied parole for the 11th time now. Chapman, now 65, was denied again after being interviewed by a parole board Aug. 19, according to corrections officials.

Lennon signed Chapman's copy of his album "Double Fantasy" hours before he was gunned down by the same man. Chapman's intent for the killing is still in question.

"He was very kind to me. Ironically, very kind and was very patient with me," Chapman told the parole board about Lennon.

Mark David Chapman has said in previous parole interviews that he was remorseful of the act.

Chapman also said the act was inspired by Holden Caulfield, the main character in the novel "The Catcher in the Rye". He believed he was as troubled and lost as the protagonist Holden Caulfield in the novel.

"I was too far in," Chapman told a parole board in 2018. "I do remember having the thought of, 'Hey, you have got the album now. Look at this, he signed it, just go home.' But there was no way I was just going to go home."

Chapman's next parole hearing is scheduled for August 2022. Till then Chapman will be held at Wende Correctional Facility in New York.