John Hinckley Jr.

John Hinckley Jr. is known for his attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, on March 30, 1981. This event occurred outside the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., and it shocked the nation, drawing comparisons to the Assassination of John F. Kennedy and the Attempted assassination of George Wallace. Hinckley's actions were also influenced by his obsession with Jodie Foster, an American actress known for her roles in Taxi Driver and The Silence of the Lambs. The incident led to a significant overhaul of Secret Service protocols and Gun control in the United States, with James Brady, the White House Press Secretary at the time, becoming a prominent advocate for Gun control alongside his wife, Sarah Brady, through the Brady Campaign.

● Early Life

John Hinckley Jr. was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma, to John Hinckley Sr. and Jo Ann Hinckley. His family moved to Dallas, Texas, and later to Denver, Colorado, where he attended Holy Trinity Catholic School and developed an interest in Music, particularly the works of The Beatles and Bob Dylan. Hinckley's life took a turn when he became infatuated with Jodie Foster after watching her in the Martin Scorsese film Taxi Driver, which also starred Robert De Niro. This obsession led him to enroll in a Yale University course, hoping to get close to Foster, who was then a student at Yale. During this time, Hinckley also developed a fascination with Ted Bundy, Charles Manson, and other infamous figures, including Lee Harvey Oswald and John Wilkes Booth.

● Assassination Attempt

On March 30, 1981, Hinckley attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan outside the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.. The attempt occurred at 2:27 PM, when Hinckley fired multiple shots from a Röhm RG-14 revolver, hitting Ronald Reagan, James Brady, Tim McCarthy, and Thomas Delahanty. The event was widely covered by the media, including CNN, NBC News, and The New York Times, and it led to a significant increase in Secret Service protection for the President of the United States. The assassination attempt also drew comparisons to the Gunpowder Plot and the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and it raised questions about Gun control in the United States and the National Rifle Association.

● Trial and Incarceration

Hinckley's trial began on April 27, 1982, and it was widely covered by the media, including The Washington Post and Time Magazine. The trial was notable for the Insanity defense used by Hinckley's lawyers, who argued that he was suffering from Psychosis and Delusional disorder at the time of the assassination attempt. The jury ultimately found Hinckley Not guilty by reason of insanity on June 21, 1982, and he was committed to St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, D.C.. During his incarceration, Hinckley was treated by Psychiatrists and Psychologists, including Dr. William Carpenter, who testified during the trial. Hinckley's case also led to changes in the Insanity defense laws in several states, including California and New York.

● Later Life and Release

After spending over 30 years in St. Elizabeths Hospital, Hinckley was granted conditional release in 2011 by U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman. The release was conditional on Hinckley living with his mother, Jo Ann Hinckley, in Williamsburg, Virginia, and complying with various restrictions, including regular Psychiatric evaluations and Medication. Hinckley's release was opposed by Ronald Reagan's children, including Michael Reagan and Patti Davis, as well as by James Brady's wife, Sarah Brady. In 2016, Hinckley's conditional release was expanded to allow him to live on his own in Williamsburg, Virginia, and he has since been living a relatively quiet life, with occasional visits to Washington, D.C. and other places, including Yale University and the National Mall. Category:American attempted assassins