From USA Today:
Federal judge grants John Hinckley Jr.'s request for unsupervised visits with his parents, official says.A Justice Department 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.
I'm torn on this issue. On one hand, John Hinckley is nuts. He was nuts when he claimed that he shot the President to impress Jodi Foster and according to most of his doctors he hasn't improved much.
On the other hand, he's John Hinckley, a man not exactly unknown to law enforcement. Its not like he could move around very easily without being recognized. He's also basically being released into the custody of his parents who will perhaps have some sort of control over him.
What has to be considered is the question of whether or not Hinckely will harm anybody while released. The judge who released him is certainly aware of the consequences should Hinckley go on a crime spree, so I imagine that he saw some evidence that convinced him that Hinckley would be able to control himself.
I hope he's right.
Posted by at December 17, 2003 04:34 PM
