President Ronald Reagan’s Shooter Released On Specific Conditions: No Interviews, Stay Away From Jodie Foster

John Hinckley Jr., the man who attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan to impress Jodie Foster, has been granted a release after 35 years in a mental facility. The judge determined that he is no longer a threat, but he’s barred from contacting the actress or addressing the media.

U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman delivered a 103-page opinion on the case.

Friedman writes, “In 1981, John W. Hinckley, Jr. was a profoundly troubled twenty-five-year-old young man suffering from active and acute psychosis and major depression.” He continues by explaining that Hinckley’s condition manifested itself in an unhealthy obsession with Foster and her film at the time Taxi Driver. “Mr. Hinckley began to identify with the main character in the film, Travis Bickle, who unsuccessfully plots to assassinate a presidential candidate in order to win the affections of a young woman.”

Hinckley devoted several years of his life trying to earn Foster’s affection. He would frequently leave her poems and notes at her Yale University dorm. After this did not work, he began imitating the character Travis Bickle’s plan from the 1976 Martin Scorsese film. At first he wanted to assassinate President Jimmy Carter, and was arrested in 1980 with several firearms at the Nashville Airport where Carter was scheduled for a campaign stop, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The next year, Hinckley sent a letter “describing his plan to kill President Reagan in order to impress her.” He went on to shoot and wound the president that same day.

He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and was placed in the St. Elizabeths Hospital. Fast forward to present day, a judge has granted him a release to live at home with his mother.

Friedman’s statement continued: “Mr. Hinckley shall have no contact whatsoever with the following persons: Jodie Foster or any member of her family, any member of former President Ronald Reagan’s family (including descendants). Mr. Hinckley shall stay away from them, their homes and/or their place(s) of employment, and shall not communicate or attempt to communicate with them either directly or indirectly, through any other person, by telephone, written message, electronic message, social media, or any other means.”

In total there are 34 total conditions for Hinckley’s release including: he must live with his mother, must participate in music therapy sessions, he cannot drink alcohol, cannot break the law, he is prohibited from contacting the media, and much more.

Do you think Judge Friedman was right to allow President Reagan’s shooter John Hinckley Jr. to leave the mental facility where he’s been for 35 years?