John Lennon's killer Mark Chapman wants The Beatles legend's widow Yoko Ono to forgive him for murdering the star.
Chapman shot Lennon four times outside his home in New York in December 1980, plunging fans into mourning.
He was sentenced to 20 years-to-life in prison and has been refused parole on several occasions following pleas from Ono to keep him behind bars.
Now it has emerged that Chapman is hoping for forgiveness from Lennon's widow.
He and his wife Gloria have written to Ono in a desperate bid to salve his conscience over the shocking murder.
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In an interview with Britain's Daily Mail newspaper, Gloria Chapman says: "If Mark could say anything to John and Yoko now, he would say: 'I'm sorry I caused such pain'. He would say: 'I hope you have forgiven me'...
"John was a nice person but Mark wasn't thinking about that that day, and put himself first. That was his mistake."
Chapman's wife also reveals she and her husband often talk about Lennon when she visits him in prison in New York.
"We spoke about him during my last visit in October. And we prayed for Yoko... I feel for her. One thing we prayed for is that she finds Jesus Christ in her life and to find forgiveness for Mark. I hope some day I could meet her and express that.
"Mark and I both wrote letters to her. He isn't angry or upset that she has pleaded with judges not to release him. I think he understands."
