January 1, Would-be Reagan assassin granted unconditional release

A federal judge granted the unconditional release of John Hinckley Jr., who shot then-President Ronald Reagan and three others in a 1981 failed assassination attempt.

“There is no evidence of danger whatsoever,” attorney Barry Wm. Levine said.

Hinckley, 66, is due for full release in June of next year, after living outside a mental health facility under convalescent leave for the past five years.

“His mental disease is in full, stable, and complete remission and has been so for over three decades,” Levine said.

A jury found Hinckley not guilty by reason of insanity in 1982. After the trial verdict, he was subsequently admitted to St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, where he remained for over 30 years.

“Very few patients at St. Elizabeths Hospital have been studied more thoroughly than John Hinckley,” senior US District Judge Paul Friedman said.

Source:

John Hinckley, Who Shot President Reagan, Wins Unconditional Release