A federal judge has slightly modified the procedure outlined in December court proceedings that would allow John B. Hinckley Jr., more time at his mother’s James City County residence — instead of submitting a new proposal by Friday for how they may achieve this end, a status conference is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. Jan. 24.
U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman ordered the change in schedule Jan. 15. The proposal that would have been created under the old plan would have been the product of a joint meeting between St. Elizabeths Hospital officials, counsel for the U.S. and counsel for Hinckley. It would have outlined how to proceed and identified a schedule for the process, according to court documents.
Hinckley has been receiving treatment at St. Elizabeths Hospital since he was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the 1981 attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan. Three others were wounded in the shooting.
The status conference will likely offer insight into the direction that officials will take with Hinckley. Hearings began in November 2011 to investigate the possibility of Hinckley spending more time in James City County, though the efforts stalled when Colonial Behavioral Health People’s Place decided not to participate in the effort.
Court hearings began in November 2011 to explore the possibility of expanding Hinckley’s visitation privileges to include two periods of 17 days away from the hospital that would be spent at his mother’s James City County residence. If those visits were successful, there would be six periods of 24 days in James City County followed by a conditional release from St. Elizabeths to reside with his mother on convalescent leave with psychiatric services provided locally, according to court documents.
Related Coverage
Dec. 29, 2012: Hospital Files Petition to Grant Hinckley More Time in James City County
Aug. 18, 2012: Local Provider Pulls Out of Hinckley Treatment, Prosecutors Ask Judge to Deny Longer Visits
March 31, 2011: Hinckley Lawyers Ask Court for More Visits to Williamsburg
June 16, 2009: Hinckley to Gain Driving Privileges, Longer Kingsmill Visits
May 21, 2009: Hinckley Wants to do Volunteer Work on Williamsburg Visits
July 21, 2008: Hinckley Doctors Seek More Visits to Williamsburg
