(Washington) John Hingley, who tried to assassinate US President Ronald Reagan in 1981 to seduce actress Jodi Foster, was granted full independence on Thursday, six years after being released from a mental hospital.
Released yesterday at 3:55 p.m.
After decades of observational and psychological surveillance, a court recently ruled that he was no longer a threat to society and could be released on June 15 from any judicial review.
“After 41 years, 2 months and 15 days, finally freedom”, John Hingley, now 67, has switched to music.
On March 30, 1981, he shot and killed a Republican leader as he was leaving a hotel in Washington. One of his bullets flew from Armor President Limo and hit Ronald Reagan in the chest. Three people were injured in the attack.
The young man has been obsessed with the couple since the film was released Taxi driver, Had then announced that he wanted to impress the actress. He was declared criminally irresponsible by the court.
After more than 30 years in a psychiatric hospital, John Hingley was authorized to live with his abusive mother in 2016 in a safe residential area of Williamsburg, 240 kilometers south of Washington.
The rules of his judicial control are strict: in particular, he must report any movement (with routes, schedules and possible setbacks), undergo regular medical treatment and keep a diary of his daily activities.
He was also completely barred from communicating with Jodi Foster and his relatives, Ronald Reagan’s descendants or other victims’ entourage.
According to court documents, his mood is now “stable”. “If he had not tried to assassinate a president, he would have been granted full independence long ago,” Judge Paul Friedman said in September.
