Crime

Reagan Daughter Angry Over Shooter Hinckley’s Lax Treatment

Reagan Daughter Angry Over Shooter Hinckleys Lax Treatment

John Hinckley, Jr.

It’s a fairly quaint and serene picture Patti Davis paints of a man with an almost picturesque life. That man strolls around and feeds stray cats, spends time at the beach and bowling allies, and even basks in the sun while reading and playing guitar. Thoughts of a French aristocrat may come to mind. Until you realize that Davis used to be Patti Reagan, and she’s writing about the man who tried to kill her father, Ronald.

In a fascinating, yet chilling, story in this month’s TIME Magazine, Davis explains that one of the world’s most infamous would-be assassins, John W. Hinckley, Jr., lives a surprisingly relaxed life these days at St. Elizabeth’s Mental Hospital in Virginia — where he was sentenced to stay after being found not guilty on the grounds of insanity. But increasingly Hinckley has been granted more freedoms, and as Davis writes, it is a painful realization considering his deranged actions have affected so many.

Take the family of Jim Brady, former White House press secretary who suffered a brain injury after being shot by Hinckley:

“But there were other victims too,” Sarah Brady tells me now, so many years later but so close to the wound. “Our son Scott was 2 years old then. The first time I took him to the hospital to see his father, Jim wailed — that awful sound he’d started making — and it frightened Scott so much, it was years before he felt comfortable around Jim.”

Jim Brady is now almost completely blind. He has spinal stenosis. Both are secondary conditions resulting from the bullet that tore into his brain 30 years ago. For the past year, he’s been screaming in his sleep. Every night. Sarah doesn‘t know if he’s having nightmares about the shooting, but she thinks it’s likely.

Reagan Daughter Angry Over Shooter Hinckleys Lax Treatment

The Reagan family, from left: Mike, Mike's wife, Ronald, son Ron, Nancy, and Patti.

Davis juxtaposes that with Hinckley’s life, who may soon get a driver’s license, already gets to go on unsupervised visits to his mother’s house for days at a time, and who stands to get a job outside the hospital:

Since 2000, Hinckley has been allowed unsupervised visits off hospital grounds. It began with overnight stays at his parents’ house in Williamsburg, Va. Despite the government’s objections and its argument that Hinckley still has a “narcissistic need” to impress women — a need that could again lead to violence — U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman has consistently sided with Hinckley’s attorney, Barry Levine, and granted more and more freedom to the man who once called his assassination attempt “the greatest love offering in the history of the world.”

Hinckley is now allowed to visit his mother in Williamsburg (his father is deceased) for 10-day stays 12 times a year. He‘s been given permission to obtain a driver’s license and get a job. He reportedly does volunteer work in the library at the state mental hospital in Williamsburg. He‘s required to stay at his mother’s house and to always be accompanied by her or a sibling when he goes out. (His mother is 85, and his siblings live in Dallas.) He must carry a GPS-enabled cell phone. Hinckley has expressed his wish to someday settle down in Williamsburg.

According to Davis, it‘s all part of a slow plan to eventually secure Hinckley’s permanent freedom, an idea that’s not far fetched: “because Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity, the law states, if it is determined that he is sane, no danger to himself or others, he must be set free.”

Maybe the picture of a French aristocrat isn’t that far off after all.

Read Davis’s entire story from TIME.

Comments (78)

1 2
  • Gypsy123
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 4:43pm

    Is she not a liberal?

    Report Post » Gypsy123  
  • the old plumber
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 4:35pm

    The left wants to reward him he tried to kill Regan look at the guy who shot “saint bobby” he still rots in jail where they both belong till we can fry them.

    Report Post »  
  • USA4ME
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 4:30pm

    Jonathon, How could you misspell REAGAN – twice!! The Time article got it right; did you do it on purpose? Either way – shame on you!

    Report Post »  
  • cece959
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 4:28pm

    She has a problem with Hinckley‘s lax treatment yet she has no problem with her brother’s stupid book dissing her father. Those two kids are a absolute waste of a decent man’s DNA.

    Report Post »  
  • iyam
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 4:20pm

    Well Patty, your liberal leanings and beliefs are the reason people like this can get away with murder. See, you liberals are all for fairness and feelings until it is you that gets hurt.

    Report Post » iyam  
  • shy
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 4:17pm

    it simple!! if he ever passes as sane an is set free. then retry him for attempted murder.

    Report Post »  
  • Fight for America
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:59pm

    Remember, those who think they can “cure” violence usually haven’t lost their loved ones to to the violent.

    This is ridiculous.

    Report Post »  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:58pm

    SEIU was asking if Hinckley could come to their conventions to speak. He’s such a hero to them. If he had his license, they would of had Hinckley in Madison with the other America-hating, union traitors.

    Report Post »  
  • nostromo
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:57pm

    I think it is safe to say that if Hinkley tried to shoot Clinton he would be gone forever.

    Report Post »  
  • Charles the Hammer
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:56pm

    After reading that Time article and its gratuitous link to “Photos of the Gun Culture in America” one longs for a photo essay of “Psychiatrists and Lawyers Unleash Vicous Felons on the Innocent.”
    How convenient for Mr. Hinckley that he gets an annual four month soujourn from the leafy confines of St. Elizabeth’s grounds. Poor baby! Think of him as you wander the lanes of Colonial Williamsburg while on vacation. Parents teaching their children about the legacy of America, wandering through the historic buildings, listening to the fife and drum, would never know that a presidential assassin is standing amid the rest, enjoying a double-scoop ice cream cone. What is required are twelve yeomen, a rope, and a stout tree…”Say goodnight John-boy.”

    Report Post » Charles the Hammer  
  • SheriS
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:54pm

    The people in my area have the horror of having this individual in their area at least once a year when he is let out to visit his family! When the guy is a true “nut job”, how would you feel if he were in your neighborhood for any time at all?

    Report Post »  
  • waciii
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:54pm

    It is REAGAN …. not REGAN :rolleyes:

    Report Post » waciii  
  • eat-more-bacon-USA
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:43pm

    Miss Davis has been a wacko-ultra-liberal for decades – It is odd that she has diverged from her liberal beliefs on the single issue of Hinckley’s treatment, but, like most liberals, she is quick to give herself a “waiver” when an issue affects her directly. It is nice that Miss Davis is speaking out against the soft treatment of her father’s would-be assassin, even though she, and liberals of her ilk have created a system which allows for said treatment.

    Report Post » eat-more-bacon-USA  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:34pm

    all these dhimmicrat and rino judges need to be removed from the benches before 2012 if possible. America needs strong conservatives back at the helm to right and restore our nation before she sinks into the commie morass

    Report Post » BurntHills  
  • Exrepublisheep
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:28pm

    Insane enough to try to kill? You need to be removed from society permanently.

    Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:23pm

    It‘s all Jodi Foster’s fault, if she wasn’t sooo darn sexy… That alone may have sealed the deal on his insanity.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • mrsmileyface
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:23pm

    dam keyboard Innocuous

    Report Post » mrsmileyface  
    • Untameable-kate
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:33pm

      No worries, it happens to us all.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • sissykatz
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 4:23pm

      Untamable Kate

      I was just thinking about you last night. I have not seen many of your posts lately. I was hoping everything was ok. Maybe you were posting and it was an oversight on my part. Glad to read your posts again.

      Report Post »  
    • Highland
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 4:23pm

      Your keyboard must be on “sebaticle.”

      Report Post » Highland  
  • mrsmileyface
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:19pm

    Next on the John Hinkley sebaticle…. Visit mom Go to Disneyland visit that “sporting goods store for a special item he ordered wink wink” Go down to Santa Barbara for unspecified reason. pretty inmocuous if you ask me.

    Report Post » mrsmileyface  
  • Al J Zira
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:19pm

    So you can shoot the president and get released. You can blow up 300 people in an airplane and get released. You can wage war against the US, get caught and american attorneys crawl out of the woodwork to represent you and eventually you get sent home. That way you can continue your fight against the US.

    I mean all of this makes sense, I really don’t see a problem here.

    Report Post » Al J Zira  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:15pm

    what a shame that he has such freedom..

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
    • ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME
      Posted on March 25, 2011 at 10:52am

      Yes, such a shame. If only Jesus could cure his mental illness just by laying on hands … and then stand aside for all you good Christians to stone Hinckley to death for his crimes.

      Report Post » ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME  
  • Helldogger
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:01pm

    I wonder if Patti finally grew a brain in her old age? Maybe!

    Report Post » Helldogger  
    • CatB
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:14pm

      “Despite the government’s objections and its argument that Hinckley still has a “narcissistic need” to impress women — a need that could again lead to violence — U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman has consistently sided with Hinckley’s attorney, Barry Levine, and granted more and more freedom to the man who once called his assassination attempt “the greatest love offering in the history of the world.”

      I would like to think so .. but I have a feeling this is more about Patti than what was done to her father and others … could be she worries that he could come looking for her .. I would worry about that if I were her also.

      Patti and Ron have ALWAYS put themselves first … I doubt that age has changed her at this late date ..it hasn’t Ron.

      Report Post »  
    • Sunnyr
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:29pm

      Ditto. Both Patty and her dingbat brother are nutcases and they obviously did not inherit any of their father’s DNA! However, MAYBE this loony-tune has seen the light. I wouldn’t bet the farm on it, though.

      Report Post » Sunnyr  
    • CatB
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:39pm

      Funny regarding Reagan DNA … Maureen his daughter with Jane Wyman .. and Michael who he and Wyman adopted .. seemed (Maureen died of cancer before her father) /seem to be “normal” … looks like these two are Nancy’s kids though and through.

      Report Post »  
    • C. Schwehr
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:02pm

      CATB: This is about Patti just as earlier slanders by Ronnie (please, do NOT call him Jr…he’s NOT!) for self promotion. It was also intended as another self promotion of the anti-gun lobby who use Jim Brady as their wheelchair posterboy for universal disarmament. If Hinckley can function as a normal human being without harm to society, let him. If he’s still insane, keep him on a short leash for the rest of his life..Simple..

      Report Post »  
  • Untameable-kate
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:01pm

    Bet Judge Friedman is a liberal, this is a horrible decision.

    Report Post » Untameable-kate  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:00pm

    Maybe the picture of a french aristocrat is not that far off after all?

    Sad is it not.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • Showtime
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 2:58pm

    I’m still shaking my head over his not guilty verdict.

    Report Post » Showtime  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:06pm

      Understood here as well.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Hoosier Daddy
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:16pm

      I knew this would happen from the day of the verdict. This is why I support vengeance in certain cases when the legal system refuses to protect the innocent. Don’t want him killed, but condemned to a life in a wheelchair seems fair…or at least remove his hands so he can’t hold a gun again.

      Report Post » Hoosier Daddy  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:36pm

      Hinckley and Ron Jr. should be shackled together for the rest of their lives.

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • Highland
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 4:22pm

      I‘m shaking my head over the misspelling of Ronald Reagan’s last name in the article. Oh yeah, and over the comfy pampered life of his would-be assassin.

      Report Post » Highland  
    • ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 6:23pm

      The man was insane when he went on his shooting rampage. He was and possibly is still sick. This is America, we don’t execute the mentally retarded or ill — even if they try to kill God’s emissary on earth, Ronald Reagan.

      ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME  
    • crackerone
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 6:29pm

      I’m with you BANJARMON!

      Report Post »  
    • Chris G
      Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:25am

      I wouldn’t be one bit surprised if Obama pardons Hinckley before leaving Office.

      Report Post » Chris G  
  • Showtime
    Posted on March 24, 2011 at 2:56pm

    http://thepatriotsnews.com/indx.php/content/127

    This is about Obama’s actions regarding the Libya situation. A “must read!” Obama is guilty of war crimes.

    Showtime  
    • Showtime
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:08pm

      Just want y’all to know that I sent the link above to Walter Jones, (NC-3). It is important.

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • ratingsdown_onethird
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:48pm

      So Hinckley gets to have a job? And we have snowleopard who never hurt a fly without one. That’s hardly fair.

      Report Post »  
    • joe conservative
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 4:14pm

      I agree with her, he has been treated pretty good considering he shot a President. I am no fan of Obama, but I would want the harshest treatment possibe if someone did that to him. YouTube has a great tribute video on Reagan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZdR9kK59_E

      Report Post » joe conservative  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 5:42pm

      @ Showtime
      You come up with a lot of very interesting links. So many that I’m having to bookmark some of them. Thanks for your efforts – very much appreciated.

      Report Post »  
    • MAULEMALL
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 5:44pm

      ratingsdown_onethird
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:48pm
      So Hinckley gets to have a job? And we have snowleopard who never hurt a fly without one. That’s hardly fair.

      Report Post »
      ========================================================================Mmaybe shes lazy….

      Report Post » MAULEMALL  
    • C. Schwehr
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 7:55pm

      MAULEMALL: And you’re a boorish TROLL….

      Report Post »  
    • restorehope
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:20pm

      The insanity ruling in our court system is discriminatory to victims. If a person is found to be insane while committing a crime, then he should be rehabilitated. However, once he understands just what he did and is considered sane again, then he should serve time to pay back society. Yes, it’s too bad he became insane for awhile, but that’s the breaks. You still have an obligation to repay your damage to society.

      Insanity can be feigned and some murderers use it to avoid justice. Until there is a foolproof way to determine if a person is pretending insanity, then the biblical credo of an eye for an eye should be enforced.

      Report Post »  
    • Contrarian51
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 9:57pm

      Way to stay on topic. Not.

      Report Post »  
    • LittleLordFauntleroy
      Posted on March 24, 2011 at 10:02pm

      Yeah, but he is still John Hickley. I bet he was a real poonhound at the insane asylum but I doubt he gets much love on the outside. Maybe he should move to Berkeley, he could run for Mayor there.

      Report Post » LittleLordFauntleroy  
    • boogeo
      Posted on March 25, 2011 at 9:36am

      How about Reagan selling arms to our enemies,some of which are being used to kill our troops today. Don’t make a saint out of him.

      Report Post »  
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