John Lennon's Killer Mark Chapman Denied Parole for Seventh Time

Man who shot the Beatles legend will remain in prison after being reviewed by the New York Board of Parole

And the sentence continues for John Lennon's killer.

The now 57-year-old Mark David Chapman—who shot and killed the former Beatle on Dec. 8, 1980—was denied parole for a seventh time by a three-member board hearing Wednesday, according to the New York Department of Corrections.

Then 40-year-old Lennon was murdered in front of his wife Yoko Ono after Chapman fired five shots outside John's Manhattan apartment building over 30 years ago. In 1981, Chapman was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.

Deciding board member, Sally Thompson, explained yesterday's ruling:

"Parole shall not be granted for good conduct and program completions alone," she said, while making note of Chapman's progress in prison. "Therefore, despite your positive efforts while incarcerated, your release at this time would greatly undermine respect for the law and tend to trivialize the tragic loss of life which you caused as a result of this heinous, unprovoked, violent, cold and calculated crime."

Chapman's next scheduled parole appearance will be in August 2014. He has requested parole every two years since 2000.