A judge has confirmed that John Hinckley Jr., the man who shot President Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981, will be released from all court-ordered restrictions next week.
U.S District Court Judge L. Friedman freed Hinckley in September 2021 from all remaining restrictions but said his order would not take effect until June of 2022, according to Fox 4 News KDFW.
Hinckley, now 67, was confined to a mental hospital in Washington D.C. for more than 20 years following the assassination attempt after a jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity on June 21, 1982. The Washington Post reported at the time that the jury’s verdict could not be appealed.
In 2003, Friedman allowed Hinckley to rejoin society in small increments with the understanding that he needed to continue therapy and that he would have travel restrictions.
Hinckley remained at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, a psychiatric facility in Washington D.C., until he was released in September 2016 into the custody of his 90-year-old mother in Williamsburg, Virginia, according to Politico.
During Hinckley’s final hearing Wednesday, Friedman said that Hinckley had not shown any signs of active mental illness in decades.
“He’s no longer a danger to himself or others,” Friedman said.
Hinckley was never charged with the death of former White House Press Secretary James Brady, whom he shot while trying to assassinate Reagan. However, the medical examiner ruled Brady’s death a homicide 33 years after the assassination attempt.
Hinckley took to Twitter on Wednesday, stating he was grateful to everyone who helped him.
“A big thank you to everyone who helped me get my unconditional release,” he wrote. “What a long, strange trip it has been. Now it’s time to rock and roll.”
During Hinckley’s final hearing, Friedman stated that his release would proceed as planned on June 15.
