John Lennon's killer has been denied parole for a fourth time in the US because of the "bizarre nature" of his crime.
Chapman pictured after his arrest in 1980
Mark David Chapman (51) must remain at Attica Correctional Facility for at least two more years for gunning down the former Beatle outside his Manhattan apartment building in 1980.
"The panel remains concerned about the bizarre nature of this premeditated and violent crime," the New York board wrote in a one-page decision issued yesterday shortly after Chapman's appearance before the three-member panel at Attica.
The hearing lasted 16 minutes, said Scott Steinhardt, spokesman for the state Division of Parole.
"While the panel notes your satisfactory institutional adjustment," the decision said, "due to the extremely violent nature of the offence, your release would not be in the best interest of the community."
The decision came one day after what would have been Lennon's 66th birthday.
Chapman has been in prison for 25 years. He became eligible for release after serving 20 years of a maximum life sentence. His next appearance before the parole board will be in October 2008.
AP