John Hinckley Jr., Would-Be Assassin of Ronald Reagan, Released Saturday

WASHINGTON, D.C. — John Hinckley Jr., the would-be assassin of President Ronald Reagan, was released for good from St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington D.C. on Saturday, more than 35 years after the assassination attempt.

A federal judge ruled in July that the 61-year-old Hinckley no longer poses a danger to others, ordering his release. Hinckley will live full-time with his mother in Williamsburg, Virginia.

The Associated Press reported Hinckley will have to work or volunteer at least three days a week. He will continue to go to therapy while living with his mother and will go to D.C. once a month to discuss his mental health and compliance with the conditions of his release.

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. White House press secretary James Brady, a Secret Service officer and a police officer were severely wounded in the shooting. Reagan survived but not before a quick decision to take him to the hospital.

Hinckley said he purchased the gun at a pawn shop and that he did it to impress actress Jodie Foster. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and confined to St. Elizabeth's, a psychiatric hospital located in southeast Washington, D.C.

Eighteen years later, the court began allowing Hinckley visits with his family. Hinckley's visits turned into monthly 17-day visits, Washingtonian reported. He visits his 90-year-old mother at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg and isn't allowed on the internet without her supervision, the magazine reported.

Additional reporting by Mary Ann Barton

Image: Wikimedia Commons via FBI