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Ronald Reagan's would-be assassin to be freed after 35 years

The man who tried to assassinate president Ronald Reagan will be freed within a week from a psychiatric hospital.

In 1982, John Hinckley Jr. was declared not guilty of the attempted assassination on grounds of insanity.

John Hinckley Jr was declared not guilty on the grounds of insanity. Photo: FBI mugshot.

He is now set to be released and live full-time with his mother, a federal judge has ordered.

Mr Hinckley, 61, shot the former president outside a Washington hotel 35 years ago.

Mr Hinckley is due to be released from St. Elizabeths psychiatric hospital by August 5. Source: 7 News

He wanted to kill Reagan to impress the actor Jodie Foster, who he had become obsessed with after seeing the movie "Taxi Driver."

The court order places detailed conditions on Hinckley's "full-time convalescent leave" from St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington.

The conditions include a ban on contact with Jodie Foster.

However, the court order states these conditions may be phased out after a year to 18 months if Mr Hinckley "continues to make progress".

Mr Hinckley said the attempt to kill the president was to impress actress Jodie Foster. Source: Getty Images/Mark Metcalfe

US District Judge Paul Friedman said that Mr Hinckley "no longer poses a threat to himself or others".

It is expected Mr Hinckley will be freed by August 5.

He will be relocated to live with his 90-year-old mother in a gated community of Virginia.

Mr Hinckley's assassination attempt badly wounded three other men, including Reagan press secretary James Brady.

Footage from the attack shows the former president slump to the ground. Source: 7 News

Reagan himself was shot in the chest, just below the left underarm.

He suffered a punctured lung and internal bleeding, but recovered quickly after quickly receiving medical attention.

The attack also badly wounded US Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy and local police officer Thomas Delahanty.

Following the trial in 1982, a federal jury found Hinckley not guilty by reason of insanity.

Since then, Mr Hinckley has been permitted increasingly longer supervised home visits with his mother.

Secret Service agents have tracked him during each visit.

- Reagan family and foundation oppose decision -

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute said they strongly opposed Mr Hinckley's release.

"Contrary to the judge's decision, we believe John Hinckley is still a threat to others," the foundation said in a statement.

Members of Reagan's family have also consistently opposed Mr Hinckley's release.

Daughter Patti Reagan Davis wrote on her website in 2015 that "I hope the doctors are right when they say that John Hinckley isn't a danger to anyone, but something in me feels they are wrong."

One thing troubling her, she said, was that Mr Hinckley had written to the mass murderers Ted Bundy and Charles Manson.

Former president Ronald Reagan. Source: Getty Images

Mr Hinckley's attorney Barry Levine has argued that evaluations by the hospital's officials showed that his client no longer posed any threat.

The attempt on Reagan's life sparked intense debate over gun violence and the treatment of the mentally ill.

James Brady, though left paralysed by his injuries, became a leading gun-control advocate.

A medical examiner attributed Mr Brady's death in 2014 to the injuries received 33 years earlier.

However, no additional charges were filed against Mr Hinckley in relation to this.

The conditions on Mr Hinckley's release include a ban on contact with survivors of any of the victims.

A courtroom sketch illustrates John Hinckley. Source: 7 News

Mr Hinckley must remain within 80 kilometres of his mother's home.

He also cannot travel to any area holding a current or former president, vice president or member of Congress.

He must return to St. Elizabeths hospital for monthly monitoring, and advise the Secret Service in advance of his intended route of travel.

He cannot post any writings or memorabilia on the internet, nor can he display them in person "without authorisation".

The detailed conditions even include a requirement for monthly music therapy sessions with a board-certified music therapist.

News break – July 28