Hospital seeks more privileges for John Hinckley

WASHINGTON -- Administrators of a Washington psychiatric hospital have asked a federal district judge to expand release privileges of would-be presidential assassin John Hinckley Jr., court records show.

Hinckley has been committed to St. Elizabeths Hospital since he shot and wounded President Reagan in 1981. Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

According to court filings, the hospital proposed on May 28 that Hinckley be allowed several new privileges: an extension of visits to his mother's home from the current six nights to nine nights; the chance to do volunteer work around Washington; and permission to get a driver's license that he would use only when accompanied by a court-authorized person.

The U.S. Attorney's office filed a motion Wednesday to deny the hospital's request. Prosecutors said Hinckley's behavior continues to show risk factors for further violence. Hinckley's attorneys filed a response Friday, saying Hinckley has been in full and stable remission.

A hearing on the proposed release changes is set for July 21.

In 2005, a federal judge granted Hinckley brief visits to his family's home in Williamsburg, Va., about three hours from Washington. Last year, Hinckley's doctors said he was ready to spend more time away from the hospital but a judge found that hospital administrators had not proposed a structure to ensure such trips would be safe.