The man convicted of murdering music legend John Lennon has been denied parole because of the "extreme malicious intent" of his crime.
Mark Chapman was told he had subjected Lennon's widow Yoko Ono to "monumental suffering" and that his conduct showed a "clear lack of respect for life".
The New York State Division of Parole also said his release would "significantly undermine respect for the law". Chapman shot the former Beatle dead as he returned to his New York apartment with Ono in 1980.
In a notification to Chapman , released to the media last night, the Division of Parole said: "Following a personal interview, a review of your records and deliberation, your release to parole supervision at this time is denied.
"This is based on the extreme malicious intent you exhibited during the instant offence where you fired a handgun multiple times striking your target - John Lennon.
"Your course of conduct over a lengthy period of time shows a clear lack of respect for life and subjected the wife of the victim to monumental suffering by her witnessing the crime."
It went on: "During the interview, your statements for motivation acknowledges the attention you felt this murder would generate. Although proven true, such rationale is bizarre and morally corrupt."
The statement said Chapman's "positive disciplinary record" in jail had been taken into account. But it concluded: "To release you on parole at this time would significantly undermine respect for the law."
The decision means Chapman will serve another two years before he is eligible for parole again. He is being held in Attica, in New York state.
Ono was understood to have written to the parole board to oppose Chapman 's release.