Man who shot Reagan allowed unsupervised visits

The man who shot President Ronald Reagan in 1981 will be allowed to leave his psychiatric hospital for unsupervised visits with his family, a Washington judge has ordered.

The judge endorsed a plan to give John Hinckley Jr. some local day visits and two overnight visits. But a proposal for overnight visits outside the Washington area was rejected.

Hinckley, who has been diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, must not leave his parents' supervision at any time during his visits.

He has lived in a Washington hospital since he was found not guilty.

During a five-day hearing, psychiatrists testified that Hinckley, 48, would not be a threat to himself or others if he were to visit his parents.

Specialists say his supervised visits out of the hospital are therapeutic for him. Government lawyers countered that Hinckley, who was acquitted in 1982 by reason of insanity, is still a danger.

Hinckley also shot presidential press secretary James Brady and two law enforcement officers.

Reagan's family and Brady's wife also opposed Hinckley's request.