John Hinckley Jr. released from psychiatric hospital

John Hinckley, the man who tried to assassinate U.S. president Ronald Reagan 35 years ago, has reportedly been released from a psychiatric hospital in Washington.

Friedman wrote Hinckley no longer displays any “signs of psychotic symptoms, delusional thinking, or any violent tendencies”, and that psychiatric treatment has been effective for the would-be presidential assassin for several decades.

Hinckley was 25 years old March 30, 1981, when he went to the Washington Hilton, waiting outside before shooting Reagan as he exited the hotel.

The Washington Post reported that Hinckley was officially released from St. Elizabeth’s, when he had been scheduled to be freed.

Hinckley’s doctors testified that his mental health issues were under control, and being effectively treated.

James Brady, White House press secretary at the time, was the most seriously wounded in the Reagan shooting having been left handicapped and disfigured.

A federal judge in July ordered Hinckley’s release from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, finding that he no longer posed a danger to himself or to others.

Mr Reagan was shot in the lung, but recuperated. He will also not be allowed to drive further than 30 miles from his mother’s home in Virginia, or 50 miles if accompanies.

When Brady died in 2014, a medical examiner attributed his death to the injuries received 33 years earlier, but no additional charges were filed against Hinckley.

His lawyer Barry Levine told The Associated Press that he thinks Hinckley will be a “citizen about whom we can all be proud”.

Ronald Reagan moments before the shooting.

Former Secret Service Agent Timothy McCarthy said “I hope they’re right”, when informed of the release of Hinckley.

Hinckley said he stalked and shot Regan in an effort to impress actress Jody Foster.

Interestingly enough, Hinckley will be living in the same gated community politicians – and even presidents – have visited. In one such instance, the hospital found photographs and letters in Hinckley’s room that revealed he still held his obsession with Foster.