John Lennon Fans React To Scheduled Chapman Parole Hearing

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Fans of John Lennon react to news that the killer of the Beatles frontman will be up for parole again this week.

New York Department of Corrections spokeswoman Linda Foglia said Mark David Chapman is scheduled to be interviewed by members of the parole board this week and that they could make a decision by Thursday or Friday.

WCBS 880's Monica Miller reports

People gathered at Central Park's Strawberry Fields had mixed opinions Sunday.

"I think it was absolutely ridiculous what he did. I think that he rally should stay in jail," one visitor told WCBS 880's Monica Miller.

"I'm against keeping people in prison for life unless they're a definite danger to like everybody around him. The chances of him doing anything again, who knows?" another person told Miller.

Chapman shot Lennon in December 1980 outside the Dakota apartment building where the former Beatle lived.

He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced in 1981 to 20 years to life in prison.

"Based on what I've read, he's kind of reborn Christian and he regrets it, but I don't think it's sincere to be honest with you," another person told Miller.

Chapman was denied parole the last time around in 2010, after Lennon's widow Yoko Ono said Chapman might be a danger to her, other family members and perhaps even himself and that she was trying to be "practical" in asking that Chapman remain behind bars.

Chapman is being held at the Wende Correctional Facility outside Buffalo.

Do you think Mark David Chapman should be released on parole, or remain behind bars? Sound off below...