` ` Bright light of fame , of fame , ' '' of John Lennon was irresistible , Chapman says . ` ` I found my peace in death , '' he tells the New York parole board . The commissioners deny Chapman 's 8th request for freedom . Chapman , who grew up in Atlanta , said he stopped in his hometown on the way . Chapman is serving a 20-years - to - life sentence for killing John Lennon in 1980 .
` ` Bright light of fame , of fame , ' '' of John Lennon was irresistible , Chapman says . ` ` I found my peace in death , '' he tells the New York parole board . The commissioners deny Chapman 's 8th request for freedom . Chapman is serving a 20-years - to - life sentence for killing John Lennon in 1980 .