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Would-be Reagan assassin reportedly released from psychiatric hospital

The man who shot President Ronald Reagan 35-years ago has been released to live with his mother in Virginia.

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A hospital official told The Washington Post that all patients scheduled to be released Saturday had been.

John Hinckley Jr will live with his 90-year-old mother in Williamsburg, Virginia – but dozens of restrictions have been imposed on his release.

ABC News reports that Hinckley had been visiting her home in Williamsburg to prepare for the transition.

Mr Reagan publicly forgave Mr Hinckley and even sought a meeting with his would-be assassin, but was advised by doctors that such an encounter would hinder the gunman’s recovery.

John Hinckley Jr. left St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington Saturday. He was apparently obsessed with Jodie Foster, the famous actress, after watching several times the major film Taxi Driver. He also wounded police officer Thomas Delahanty, Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy and Press Secretary James Brady.

Hinckley’s lawyer, Barry Levine, says his client will be a “citizen about whom we can all be proud”.

Reagan suffered a punctured lung but recovered quickly.

Hinckley must remain within 50 miles of his mother’s home, and can not travel to any area where a current or former president, vice president or member of Congress is known to be.

Participation in “individual music therapy sessions” at least once a month and in “structured activities in the Williamsburg area”, including volunteer work is required. He death in 2014 at the age of 73 was ruled a homicide, but no further charges were brought against Hinckley for the assassination attempt.

A federal judge ordered his release finding he no longer posed a danger to others.

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Hinckley must also stay away from the two victims who are still living, as well as the families of all his victims. Considering his dementia, he was not sent to jail but a mental facility instead, in Washington D.C., where he remained for years. He can go up to 50 miles from the city if accompanied by his mother, sibling or a therapist or social worker.

Man who tried to assassinate US President Ronald Reagan, is to be released from a psychiatric hospital