Killer of actor's sister denied parole

A request for parole by the man who raped and killed actor Kelsey Grammer's sister 40 years ago has been denied.

A man who raped and killed actor Kelsey Grammer's sister nearly 40 years ago has been denied parole after the actor testified against his release.

A prison spokeswoman said on Wednesday that Freddie Glenn's parole request has been denied for now.

Glenn, who is serving a life sentence, was convicted of killing Karen Elisa Grammer after kidnapping her from a Red Lobster restaurant in Colorado Springs where she worked in 1975.

He also was convicted of killing two men in separate slayings.

The Denver Post reports Glenn was tearful at times as he apologised during Tuesday's parole hearing. He was 18 at the time of Karen Grammer's death and said he thinks he deserves a second chance.

Kelsey Grammer says he accepted Glenn's apology, but endorsing his release would be a "betrayal of my sister's life".