World News – UA – John Hinckley Can Publicly Display His Work and Judge’s Rules

The man who shot President Ronald Reagan said he wanted to « make money with my music and my art »

John W Hinckley Jr, who attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan in 1981, can publicly display his writings, paintings, photographs and other works of art, a federal judge said on Wednesday

Judge Paul L Friedman of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia wrote that Mr. Hinckley had remained « mentally stable » since 2016, when he was released from a mental hospital where he had been confined for decades and allowed to live with his mother in Williamsburg, Virginia

Since 2018, M Hinckley, 65, posted his music anonymously online, but was frustrated by the lack of feedback he got from the small number of people who encountered his work, his treatment team told the court in asking that he be allowed to do so use his name in conjunction with his art

Justice Friedman stated in his order that Mr. Hinckley may publicly display, under his own name and without restriction, his memorabilia, writings, paintings, works of art and music

The judge stipulated that Mr. Hinckley should inform the forensic outpatient department and their care providers of his intention to exhibit his art and should provide them with any feedback he receives, so that they can help him treat it. If his doctors deem it medically necessary, they can revoke his ability to post his work, the judge said

In a court interview as part of a violence risk assessment, Mr. Hinckley said he wanted to « make money with my music and my art »

« I create things that I find good and like any other artist I would like to enjoy it and contribute more to my family, » he said « I feel like I could help my mom and my brother if I could earn money from my art « 

Mr Hinckley said he has heard from other artists that he may be able to sell his art on websites such as Etsy and that he has spoken to his processing team about the publication of his music on various streaming sites

He acknowledged that « there is a notoriety associated with anything I do under my name » but said he was not interested in being famous He said he was frustrated by their inability to share their work with others and receive feedback

It was not immediately clear whether Judge Friedman’s order allowed Mr. Hinckley to profit from the sale of his artwork, although the judge said Mr. Hinckley must comply with the terms of several civil lawsuits

In 1995, M Hinckley has agreed to cede three of the men who were injured in the assassination attempt to speak up to $ 2.9 million in proceeds from any sale in his life story

Since 2018, M Hinckley’s music therapist helped him post his music anonymously to SoundCloud and YouTube, but he was disappointed with the small number of people who listened to him, the music therapist wrote in court documents

The therapist said it was important to M Hinckley must have a creative outlet, but added: « I’m afraid he’s a well-known character and I’m worried someone is dragging him »

« I would love for him to be able to earn an income from his works », M Beffa reportedly said in court documents « If by any chance his name is associated with it, I don’t see that that would be a problem. I’d be surprised if it came back to that narcissism he had with Jodie Foster, because he was only present in any way « 

On March 30, 1981, Mr. Hinckley, who was tracking M Reagan in an attempt to impress Mrs Foster, fired six shots and seriously injured M Reagan in front of a Washington hotel

James S Brady, the White House press secretary, was also shot; Timothy J McCarthy, a Secret Service agent; and Thomas K Delahanty, a Washington police officer m Brady suffered permanent brain damage and ultimately died of his injuries in 2014

In 1982 a jury declared that Mr. Hinckley not guilty on account of insanity, a move that shocked the public and lawmakers across the country.He was sent for treatment to St Elizabeths, a Washington mental hospital, where he was held until 2016, date which he was transferred to his mother’s home

In his order on Wednesday, Judge Friedman said that Mr. Hinckley could continue to live with his mother or live independently or with a roommate, provided he notifies the forensic outpatient department and his treatment team. He also maintained a ban on M Hinckley in contact with Mrs. Foster, members of the Reagan family or others he injured or their families

Judge Friedman said that Mr. Hinckley « will not pose a danger to himself or to others by reason of mental illness if he is allowed to continue to reside in the community » upon the terms of his release

Mr. Hinckley said he had “performed very well” for the past four years and, if given more freedom, he planned to stay in the Williamsburg area, continue working in an antique mall, attend group therapy sessions and take his psychiatric medication

John Hinckley Jr, Ronald Reagan, US President James Brady