John Lennon's murderer lands seventh parole hearing

John Lennon's killer Mark David Chapman is making another bid for freedom - his seventh parole hearing has been scheduled for next week (begs20Aug12).

Chapman gunned down the Beatles legend outside his New York home in December 1980, and was sentenced the following year (81) to 20-years-to-life behind bars.

He has been eligible for parole since 2000, although he had his request denied for the sixth time in 2010 - but now he is eyeing freedom once again.

Officials for New York state's Department of Corrections have revealed Chapman is due another parole hearing and department spokeswoman Linda Foglia claims a decision on his release will be made public by the end of next week (ends26Aug12), reports Reuters.