Yoko Ono still against parole for John Lennon's killer

New York (ANI): John Lennon"s widow Yoko Ono continues to be opposed to the granting of parole to David Chapman, who killed the Beatles legend 30 years ago. Chapman is scheduled to be interviewed by a three-member parole board panel during the week of Aug. 9—his sixth bid for parole.

And Ono"s lawyer Peter Shukat has said that Chapman's release has been consistently opposed by Lennon's widow, who has again sent a letter to the parole board. "Her position has not changed," the New York Daily News quoted Shukat as saying.

He refused to say whether it's the same letter submitted every two years since Chapman first became eligible for parole in 2000. In that letter, Ono wrote that if Chapman is released, "I am afraid it will bring back the nightmare, the chaos and confusion once again. Myself and John's two sons would not feel safe for the rest of our lives."

Robert Gangi, head of the prisoners' rights group, Correctional Association of America, doubts Chapman will be released because of the public outrage it would cause. "Given that he commited a high profile crime and he killed one of the most famous and most beloved figures literally in the world, it's highly unlikely three parole commissioners would vote to grant him release," said Gangi.

Chapman in previous parole interviews has blamed jealousy and emotional problems for his decision to kill his onetime idol.