Inside would-be Reagan assassin John Hinckley Jr’s plans for life after jail with sell-out show to launch music career
HERE’S a look inside John Hinckley Jr’s plans for life after jail with a sell-out show to launch his music career.
John Hinckley Jr – the man who attempted to assassinate former President Ronald Reagan in 1981 – will soon be released from all remaining restrictive conditions after 40 years.
The ruling that John Hinckley Jr will be unconditionally released on June 15 was announced by a US district judge.
U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Friedman declared on Wednesday that Hinckley Jr is “no longer a danger to himself or others,” according to the Associated Press.
Following the announcement, the would-be Reagen assassin’s lawyer, Barry Levine said: “I think we have salvaged a life.”
Levine recounted the case starting with Hinckley Jr as “a troubled young man who inflicted great harm” and praised his client for “working hard.”
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He explained: “John worked hard. He wanted to correct something that he was unable to erase, and this is the best outcome that one could imagine.
“His regrets will always be with him with respect to the families of those he injured.”
Life for Hinckley Jr will be much different after his release, he desires to pursue his passion for music.
Levine noted that Hinckley Jr has “real talent” and plans to perform at a concert in Brooklyn, New York, AP News reports.
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He plans to give a concert in July on his “John Hinckley Redemption Tour.”
The Sun reached out to Levine for comment on Wednesday but did not receive an immediate reply.
Hinckley Jr – who has more than 27,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel – has shared six videos within the past seven months.
He is seen singing, playing guitar, and even promoting Emporia Records – a record label he started, Hinckley Jr explains in one of the clips.
In his most recent YouTube video, Hinckley Jr said his first release will be a 14-song CD of his music.
Hinckley Jr, who also promotes his music on Twitter, revealed his July 8 concert in Brooklyn has been sold out since April.
The news about his upcoming performance was first shared on Hinckley’s Twitter account on April 8.
He tweeted: “Big news!! I will be performing on July 8 at the Market Hotel in Brooklyn, NY. Get your tickets while you can.”
His appearances in Connecticut and Chicago have been canceled.
‘A long road’
Judge Friedman called Hinckley’s release ruling “a long road” and said the now-67-year-old man has displayed no symptoms of active mental illness, no violent behavior and no interest in weapons since 1983.
Hinckley shot then-president Reagen in 1981 outside a hotel in Washington DC.
He also wounded Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy, police officer Thomas Delahanty and then-White House Press Secretary James Brady, who remained paralyzed for the rest of his life.
During his trial in 1982, Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
He was confined to a mental hospital in Washington for the next three decades.
In 2003, Friedman began allowing Hinckley to live for long stretches in the community with requirements like attending therapy and restrictions on where he could travel.
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He was released to live at his mother’s house in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 2016, under numerous strict conditions.
The restrictions include allowing officials access to his electronic devices, email and online accounts; being barred from traveling to places where he knows there will be someone protected by the Secret Service, and giving three days’ notice if he wants to travel more than 75 miles (120 kilometers) from his home in Virginia.
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