Mark David Chapman, John Lennon's killer, denied parole for 10th time

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The gun used by Mark David Chapman to kill John Lennon is displayed next to their pictures at a small museum in the Forensic Investigation Division of the New York Police Department in New York, Dec. 8, 2015. (AP)

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — John Lennon's killer has been denied parole for a 10th time.

Mark David Chapman appeared before New York's parole board Wednesday. A denial decision obtained by The Associated Press says Chapman was told his release "would be incompatible with the welfare and safety of society."

Chapman, 63, is serving 20-years-to-life in the Wende Correctional Facility in western New York. He shot and killed the former Beatle outside Lennon's Manhattan apartment Dec. 8, 1980.

In its decision, the state Board of Parole said releasing Chapman would not only "tend to mitigate the seriousness of your crime," but also would endanger public safety because someone might try to harm him out of anger or revenge or to gain notoriety.

Chapman will be up for parole again in August 2020.