#John Lennon’s killer says he deserves the death penalty: report

Mark David Chapman, who killed John Lennon in 1980, has apologized to the famed singer’s wife Yoko Ono — describing his crime as “despicable” and saying he “deserves” the death penalty, according to a report.

The 65-year-old — who was denied parole on Aug. 19 — gunned the 40-year-old Beatles star down as he and Ono walked toward The Dakota building on the Upper West Side.

Chapman told the parole board that he killed Lennon for “self-glory,” the Telegraph reported, citing the transcript of the parole hearing obtained by the PA news agency.

“I assassinated him… because he was very, very, very famous and that’s the only reason and I was very, very, very, very much seeking self-glory, very selfish,” Chapman said in his apology to Lennon’s family.

“I want to add that and emphasize that greatly. It was an extremely selfish act. I’m sorry for the pain that I caused to her (Ono). I think about it all of the time,” he added at the hearing, which was held at Wende Correctional Facility in Erie County.

Chapman, who became eligible for parole in 2000, is required to have a parole hearing every two years but was denied release for the 11th time on the grounds it “would be incompatible with the welfare of society,” the Telegraph reported.

Ono has written to the board for several of the hearings to warn that Chapman continues to pose a threat to her and her family.

The 87-year-old has not commented about his apology, but tweeted about an Oct. 9 event to mark what would have been her husband’s 80th birthday.

“Join us for an online celebration of John’s life to celebrate our community, creativity and connection. Raising the spirit of peace and love – with great artists, great people and great songs,” Ono wrote.

In last month’s heating, Chapman also discussed his fixation with the book “The Catcher In The Rye” at the time of the murder, saying he could relate with the main character’s “isolation, loneliness”.

Asked if justice had been served, he told the panel: “When you knowingly plot someone’s murder and know it’s wrong and you do it for yourself, that’s a death penalty right there in my opinion.

Chapman added: “If the law and you choose to leave me in here for the rest of my life, I have no complaint whatsoever.”