Hinckley allowed unsupervised visits (conditions listed)

Yahoo News ^ | 12/18/03 | Kevin Johnson

[Libloather]

Hinckley allowed unsupervised visits
1 hour, 19 minutes ago
By Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY

John Hinckley, the man who shot President Reagan in a failed assassination attempt more than two decades ago, will be allowed to leave the mental hospital grounds for a series of unsupervised visits with his parents, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

Over the objections of the federal government, the Reagan family and the former president's press secretary who was badly wounded in the 1981 attack, U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman concluded that Hinckley, 48, no longer posed a danger and that all the medical evidence weighed "heavily in favor" of Hinckley.

"Although the court is acutely aware of...the various individuals whose lives were changed by Mr. Hinckley's actions in 1981," Friedman wrote, "it would not be legally sound under the case law to deny all aspects of the hospital's request for conditional, time-limited outings under the supervision of his parents."

Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity in connection with the March 30, 1981, attack that wounded Reagan, press secretary James Brady and two law enforcement officers. The shootings were part of a bizarre effort to impress actress Jodie Foster.

Hinckley will be permitted to make six day visits with his parents, Jack and Jo Ann Hinckley, within 50 miles of Washington, D.C. Following a review of each visit, Hinckley may be permitted two, 32-hour overnight visits at a Washington hotel. Hinckley's first unsupervised visit is expected to take at least two weeks to plan, after the holidays.

Friedman denied the would-be assassin's request for weekend visits at his parents' home in Williamsburg, Va.

St. Elizabeths Hospital staff members would not accompany Hinckley on the off-campus trips. But the Secret Service is expected to track him, as allowed in the court's order.

"We continue to fear for the safety of the general public," former first lady Nancy Reagan said Wednesday. "Our thoughts are with all of Mr. Hinckley's victims today, especially Jim Brady and his family, as they must continue to live with the tragic consequences of the assassination attempt."

In a letter to the court, Brady's wife, Sarah Brady, had strongly opposed the visitation request. "If he were indeed well, wouldn't he feel uncontrollable remorse?" she said. "To the contrary, he has never demonstrated any sorrow."

[Libloather]

From Yahoo -

Friedman attached restrictions: Hinckley must always remain in the sight and company of his parents, Jo Ann and Jack Hinckley, on such trips; he must not contact the media or his former girlfriend, former St. Elizabeths patient Leslie deVeau; he must remain on his anti-psychotic medication, Risperdal.

The judge also said Hinckley's parents must return him to the hospital immediately if there are signs of danger or escape or if his mental condition seems to worsen.

In denying overnight stays in Williamsburg, Friedman said he did not believe that step would be wise at this time and voiced concern about the advanced age of Hinckley's parents. Both are 78.

[martin_fierro]

I hope Jodie's packin' heat.

[doodad]

Absolutely ludicrous. I can't believe this. I guess Sirhan Sirhan can get out now too.

[Libloather]

...his former girlfriend, former St. Elizabeths patient Leslie deVeau; he must remain on his anti-psychotic medication, Risperdal.

The girlfriend is another psychotic patient and Hinkley's medication is self-administered...

[Peach]

This Clinton appointed judge would never have allowed this had it been Clinton who was shot.

[Libloather]

The judge also said Hinckley's parents must return him to the hospital immediately if there are signs of danger or escape...

How do two 78-year-olds return the perp if he escapes? Amazing...

[duckman]

"I hope Jodie's packin' heat."

I think she is. Just look what's inside that dress!

[Tijeras_Slim]

I guess Sirhan Sirhan can get out now too.

Nah... he shot a Democrat.

[Guenevere]

Brady Gun Control.....Mrs.Brady's idea, or at least a pawn to get it pushed.

No doubt she's anxious with Hinckley out & about....I would be too.

Does one seriously doubt she or her bodyguards are packing a few right now?

Strikes me as hypocritical....sorry if that sounds harsh.

[Puppage]

When's Squeaky get'n out?

[mewzilla]

According to former prosecutor Joe DiGenova this morning, the judge's hands were tied. He had to allow the unsupervised visits. DiGenova said what's needed is for Congress to change the law to keep this from happening again.

[Libloather]

DiGenova said what's needed is for Congress to change the law to keep this from happening again.

I saw that - and Joe looked pretty pissed about it...

[mewzilla]

He was furious. And I'm as worrried about Hinckley's parents as I am about anyone else.

[cloud8]

What the summary below ref. leaves out is that Friedman apparantly threw out Larry Flynt's lawsuit that claimed Hustler's reporter was unlawfully denied access to U.S. combat forces in Afghanistan. ref.

Hinkley was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Understatement of the year: it's time to throw out this line of defense, don't you think?

Friedman Biography

U.S. District Court Judge, District of Columbia. Room 6321, 333 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20001. 202-273-0440.

Judge Paul L. Friedman was an assistant to Lawrence Walsh in Iran-contra investigation. He was appointed to the bench by President Bill Clinton. His best known decision is FEC v. GOPAC, 897 F.Supp. 615 (DDC 1995), in which he ruled against GOPAC. Judge Friedman was also an attorney in the law firm of White and Case for almost two decades.

Judge Friedman was born February 20, 1944. He received his B.A. from Cornell in 1964, and his J.D. from S.U.N.Y. Buffalo in 1968.

[Dick Vomer]

Naw.. a lib pawn sound hypocritical.... how can that be?

Sarah Brady is a blowhard living off a piece of metal lodged in her husband's head. She wants you and I to be victims so she can suck off the liberal gravy train for gun control. She has no ability to work and produce so she therefore can pontificate on how we should live our lives and suck off fund raisers for gun control.

I can't wait for this looney to bust a cap in somebody and then see all the cries for gun control. Hopefully it'll be some lib politician or possibly a lib judge or his family that gets killed. Wouldn't it be ironic?.... Doncha think?

[eleni121]

The new telephone number for this judge friedman is 202-354- 3490

People should flood his office with complaints about his dangerous and insulting decision.

[Cubs Fan]

I just would like to know who will be held accountable if Hinckley kills again.

All over the place liberals let vermin out so they can kill again. Its about time the judges, the shrinks, the parole boards et al are held accountable for the recidivism they let loose.

[Covenantridge]

When's Squeaky get'n out?

Right after Mansons release.

[cweese]

...what's with the picture?...

[doodad]

I thought she was released some years ago.