Would-Be Reagan Assassin Being Set Free

John W. Hinckley, Jr. tried to assassinate President Ronald Reagan to win the love of Jodie Foster — shooting the President and also wounding a Secret Service agent, a cop, and White House press secretary James Brady! Now the maniac is set to be released, with a federal judge ruling that Hinckley is no longer a danger to others! That's just months after The National ENQUIRER revealed that Hinckley, now 61, is still crazy for Jodie, with family friends warning his release could have "chilling consequences!"

Hinckley went on his murderous rampage on March 20, 1981 outside the Washington Hilton. He was trying to impress Jodie Foster, who he had declared to be his "bloody love" in one of many bizarre rambling notes written to the actress. He was later sentenced to the mental ward of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman ruled: “The court finds by the preponderance of the evidence that Mr. Hinckley will not be a danger to himself or to others if released on full-time convalescent leave to Williamsburg under the conditions proposed.”

To the shock of the nation, Hinckley has already been allowed many day trips out of the hospital over the past several years. But now, any restrictions are set to be phased out after 12 to 18 months! But The ENQUIRER reported in May 2015 that the mental patient still can’t even let himself watch Jodie’s movies! When testifying to Hinckley’s good behavior, his brother Scott stated the siblings had been to the movies, but the film they wanted to see ran past Hinckley’s hospital curfew.

They chose another film — but, as Scott said on the stand, Hinckley said, “We’ve got to get out of here. That lady on the screen is Jodie Foster.” An insider said: “He can’t even watch her in a movie. The mental patient is still obsessed with Jodie, who should be in fear of her life if John is released!”

The ENQUIRER also revealed how former First Lady Nancy Reagan was left terrified by Hinckley being let loose on day trips. Hinckley had already been spending 17 days each month with his mother in her posh home near Williamsburg, Va. “Nancy doesn’t deserve this,” a friend told The ENQUIRER. “She’s 92 years old and very frail." Hinckley was ordered to carry a GPS-monitored cell phone — but, said the insider, “there’s not much keeping him from giving that phone to a street bum and driv­ing or hopping on an airplane to California. Nancy has very good reason to be in fear for her life!”

But with Nancy's death on March 6, 2016, Hinckley seemingly became closer to release. Experts, however, warn that Hinckley is a ticking time-bomb who could soon be set off by the death of his own mother! That’s the expert analysis of top psychologist Dr. Gilda Carle, who warned Hinckley could easily become “unglued” when 90-year-old Jo Ann Hinckley passes.

Jo Ann has been her 60-year-old son’s “primary emotional support” as he struggles to build a new life as a part-time out-patient. But she’s in frail health. Once she’s gone, Hinckley’s flimsy link to sanity will evaporate, sources said. The gunman’s only other close relationship, with fellow mental patient Cynthia Bruce, is over.

A family insider added: “John has leaned almost exclusively on his mom for emotional support and love for all these years since the shootings. She’s pretty much been his rock. Without her in his life, I shudder to think what could happen — especially if in his depressed state he goes off his meds. The consequences could be chilling!”