Judge Grants Hinckley Unsupervised Trips

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Judge Grants Hinckley Unsupervised Trips

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By JONATHAN D. SALANT, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - A federal judge said Wednesday that the man who shot President Reagan could make unsupervised visits with his parents away from the mental hospital where he has lived for more than two decades.


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Slideshow: John Hinckley Jr.



A Justice Department (news - web sites) official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman issued the order granting John Hinckley Jr.'s request

Hinckley, 48, has lived at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington since he was acquitted in 1982 by reason of insanity in the shootings of Reagan, presidential press secretary James Brady and two law enforcement officers. Reagan was nearly killed and Brady was permanently disabled. Hinckley said he shot Reagan to impress actress Jodie Foster.

During five days of hearings, psychiatrists testifying for Hinckley, the government and the hospital said his mental health had improved to the point where he would not be a threat to himself or others if he were to leave the hospital for visits with his parents.

But government lawyers opposed the request, insisting that the would-be assassin was still dangerous and trying to deceive his doctors.

Hospital officials have said there have been no problems with Hinckley on his supervised trips to such places as a bowling alley, the theater and a shopping mall. The Secret Service (news - web sites) watches Hinckley whenever he leaves the hospital grounds.

The psychiatrists said allowing Hinckley to leave unsupervised was the next step in his recovery from his mental illness.

Reagan's family and Brady's wife, Sarah Brady, have opposed Hinckley's request. Sarah Brady sent a letter to the judge. Reagan's children, Patti Davis and Ron Reagan Jr., made their opposition known in the media.

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