Federal judge grants more freedom to John Hinckley Jr., Reagan’s would-be assassin
Last edited Sat Dec 21, 2013, 02:44 AM - Edit history (2)
Source: Washington Post
A federal judge on Friday gave President Ronald Reagan’s would-be assassin modestly more freedom, allowing the 58-year-old who has lived and received mental health treatment for more than three decades at St. Elizabeths Hospital to spend 17 days a month visiting his mother’s home town of Williamsburg, Va.
John W. Hinckley Jr., who was found not guilty by reason of insanity in Reagan’s shooting, must prove to U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman that he can better integrate himself and socialize in Williamsburg before his release will go any further. But in a 106-page opinion expanding Hinckley’s monthly Virginia visits from 10 to 17 days, Friedman said he was persuaded that Hinckley “will not be a danger to himself or to others” if he is given more time away from the hospital.
“Indeed, being in Williamsburg on a set of regularly scheduled visits of longer duration might well provide new opportunities for employment and structured community activities than are presently available to him because of his sporadic presence there,” Friedman wrote.
The opinion in resolves the latest round of legal wrangling over what to do with Hinckley, although it does not bring the case to a close. Hinckley’s doctors and therapists had asked Friedman to gradually expand the length of Hinckley’s trips from the District to his mother’s home in Williamsburg to up to 24 days and eventually allow him to reside there full time.
Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/federal-judge-grants-more-freedom-to-reagans-would-be-assassin/2013/12/20/efdd2c60-68e9-11e3-8b5b-a77187b716a3_story.html
AP: Reagan shooter granted more time outside hospital
CNN: Would-be assassin John Hinckley gets longer visits at mother's home
Hampton Roads Daily Press: Hinckley visits to James City County extended
Reuters: Reagan's would-be assassin to get more time away from hospital
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