The killer of Beatles Singer John Lennon has expressed "deep remorse" for his actions

Mark Chapman, the killer of Beatles singer John Lennon, has apologized to the singer's wife Yoko Ono after 40 years.

Mark Chapman shot and killed John Lennon in December 1980 outside his New York apartment in the presence of his wife.

Mark Chapman was denied "temporary release" for the 11th time in a hearing last month.

Mark Chapman said at the hearing that he was constantly thinking about his "heinous act" and had now admitted that he would spend the rest of his life in prison.

'He was a star'

Mark Chapman apologized during a hearing at the Wendy Crucible Facility in New York, where he is being held, and said he was "sorry" for what he had done.

"I have no excuse. I did it just to show off. I think doing something wrong with an innocent person is the worst crime. He was a very famous person, and I did not kill him because there was something wrong with him. He was a family man. He was a star. They talked about the things we can talk about today. 

"I killed them," added Mark Chapman. Just because they were so famous and that's the only reason, and I just wanted my own publicity and self-promotion. I confess that this was a selfish move on my part and I apologize for the inconvenience caused to Yoko (John Lennon's wife). I think about it all the time.

In 2015, Yoko Ono, an artist, told the Daily Beast website that she was constantly in awe of Mark Chapman's release. He has so far challenged every appeal for the release of Mark Chapman.

"I think he did it once, he can do it again and again, with someone else. With me, with my son Shawn, anyone can be. '

He was 25 years old at the time of Mark Chapman's assassination and is now 65 years old. He is married and his wife lives near the prison where he has been imprisoned for the past eight years.

Mark Chapman will now be eligible for a temporary release two years later.