History of John Hinckley Jr. in Timeline
John Warnock Hinckley Jr. attempted to assassinate U.S. President Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981, in Washington, D.C. Hinckley shot Reagan as he exited the Hilton Hotel, two months into his presidency. The shooting wounded Reagan, police officer Thomas Delahanty, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy, and White House Press Secretary James Brady. Brady sustained permanent disabilities from the shooting and ultimately died from his injuries.
1925: Birth of John Hinckley Sr. and Jo Ann Moore
John Hinckley Sr., John Hinckley Jr.'s father, and Jo Ann Moore, his mother, were both born in 1925.
May 29, 1955: Birth of John Hinckley Jr.
John Warnock Hinckley Jr. was born on May 29, 1955.
1962: Creation of the Model Penal Code's Insanity Test
The Model Penal Code's insanity test, created in 1962, broadened the existing insanity defense criteria.
1973: High School Graduation and Family Move
John Hinckley Jr. graduated from Highland Park High School in 1973. His family then relocated to Evergreen, Colorado.
1974: Enrollment at Texas Tech University
John Hinckley Jr. enrolled at Texas Tech University in 1974.
1975: Move to Los Angeles to Pursue Songwriting
In 1975, John Hinckley Jr. moved to Los Angeles to become a songwriter, but his efforts were unsuccessful.
September 1976: Return to Evergreen
John Hinckley Jr. returned to his parent's home in Evergreen in September 1976 after failing to find success as a songwriter.
1976: Obsession with "Taxi Driver"
John Hinckley Jr. became fixated on the film "Taxi Driver" (1976), adopting the character Travis Bickle as a role model and developing an infatuation with actress Jodie Foster.
1978: Start of Insanity Defense Reforms
Reforms to the insanity defense in the U.S. began in 1978.
October 9, 1980: Arrest at Nashville Airport
John Hinckley Jr. was arrested at Nashville International Airport on October 9, 1980, carrying concealed handcuffs and unloaded guns. He was fined and released.
1980: Dropout from Texas Tech University
John Hinckley Jr. dropped out of Texas Tech University in 1980 after attending off and on.
March 29, 1981: Arrival in Washington D.C.
John Hinckley Jr. arrived in Washington D.C. on March 29, 1981, by Greyhound bus from Los Angeles.
March 30, 1981: Reagan Assassination Attempt
On March 30, 1981, John Hinckley Jr. attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan outside the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. He wounded Reagan, police officer Thomas Delahanty, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy, and White House Press Secretary James Brady, who suffered lasting injuries and later died as a result.
November 1981: Suicide Attempts in Prison
While imprisoned, John Hinckley Jr. attempted suicide twice, in May and November of 1981.
1981: Widespread Adoption of the MPC Test
By 1981, the Model Penal Code's insanity test had been adopted in a majority of U.S. states and federal circuits.
1981: Targeting President Reagan
In 1981, John Hinckley Jr. began targeting newly elected President Ronald Reagan, even collecting information about John F. Kennedy's assassination.
1981: Jodie Foster's Army Forms
The hardcore punk band Jodie Foster's Army (JFA) was formed, with their name referencing the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan.
June 21, 1982: Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity
On June 21, 1982, John Hinckley Jr. was found not guilty by reason of insanity on all charges related to the attempted assassination of President Reagan.
1982: Devo Releases "I Desire"
The band Devo released their song "I Desire," which sparked controversy for its lyrics taken from a poem written by John Hinckley Jr.
1983: Hinckley's Life at St. Elizabeths Hospital
In 1983, while confined to St. Elizabeths Hospital, John Hinckley Jr. described his daily routine, which included therapy, leisure activities, and medication.
1984: Enactment of the Insanity Defense Reform Act
The Insanity Defense Reform Act of 1984 was passed, establishing a stricter standard for the insanity defense in federal trials.
1984: The Crucifucks Record "Hinkley Had a Vision"
The band the Crucifucks recorded the song "Hinkley Had a Vision," expressing a desire to kill the president.
1985: Publication of "Breaking Points"
John Hinckley Jr.'s parents published "Breaking Points" in 1985, detailing their son's mental health struggles.
1985: Wall of Voodoo Releases "Far Side of Crazy"
The band Wall of Voodoo released "Far Side of Crazy," a song about John Hinckley Jr. and his life, with the title referencing his poetry.
1986: Request for Transfer to Less Restrictive Ward Denied
In 1986, a judge denied John Hinckley Jr.'s request to be transferred to a less restrictive ward.
1987: Hospital Withdraws Request for Unsupervised Pass
In 1987, St. Elizabeth's Hospital requested an unescorted pass for Hinckley to visit his parents, but later withdrew the request after concerns arose about his contact with other high-profile criminals.
1990: "Assassins" Musical Premieres
The musical "Assassins" by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman premiered, featuring John Hinckley Jr. as a character alongside Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme.
1990: Peak of Insanity Defense Reforms
The period between 1978 and 1990 saw a significant number of reforms to the insanity defense, particularly after the Hinckley verdict.
1991: "Without Warning: The James Brady Story" Released
John Hinckley Jr.'s story was portrayed in the American television film "Without Warning: The James Brady Story."
1992: Hinckley Submits and Withdraws Request for Additional Privileges
John Hinckley Jr. submitted a request for additional privileges in 1992 but later withdrew the request.
2001: "The Day Reagan Was Shot" Released
The television film "The Day Reagan Was Shot" premiered, featuring John Hinckley Jr. as a character.
2003: Hinckley Granted First Judicial Approval for Release Proposal
In 2003, John Hinckley Jr. received his first judicial approval for a release proposal, which included supervised visits with his parents.
2003: "The Reagans" Released
The television film "The Reagans" was released, which included a portrayal of John Hinckley Jr.
2006: Decline in the Use of the MPC Test
By 2006, only 14 states continued to use the Model Penal Code's insanity test due to backlash following the Hinckley verdict.
2008: Death of John Hinckley Sr.
John Hinckley Sr., father of John Hinckley Jr., passed away in 2008.
June 17, 2009: Judge Expands Hinckley's Release Conditions
On June 17, 2009, Judge Friedman ruled to expand John Hinckley Jr.'s release conditions, permitting him longer visits with his mother and a driver's license but requiring GPS monitoring.
March 29, 2011: Hinckley's Attorney Files Petition for More Freedom
On March 29, 2011, John Hinckley Jr.'s attorney filed a court petition requesting more freedom for his client, including unsupervised visits to his mother's home in Virginia.
November 30, 2011: Hearing Held to Consider Full-Time Release from Hospital
On November 30, 2011, a hearing was held in Washington to consider whether John Hinckley Jr. could live full-time outside the hospital. The Justice Department opposed this, arguing he was still a danger.
December 2013: Court Extends Hinckley's Visits to His Mother
By December 2013, the court ordered that John Hinckley Jr.'s visits be extended to his mother, who lived near Williamsburg, Virginia, with evaluations to follow each visit.
August 4, 2014: Death of James Brady
James Brady, who suffered lasting injuries from John Hinckley Jr.'s assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan, passed away on August 4, 2014. His death was ruled a homicide.
2015: "Calf" Novel Published
Andrea Kleine's novel "Calf" was published, offering a fictionalized account of John Hinckley Jr.'s life leading up to the assassination attempt and incorporating elements from his time at St. Elizabeths Hospital, including a fictionalized portrayal of his former girlfriend Leslie deVeau.
July 27, 2016: Judge Rules Hinckley Can Be Released From St. Elizabeths
On July 27, 2016, a federal judge ruled that John Hinckley Jr. could be released from St. Elizabeths Hospital, deeming him no longer a threat. This decision faced opposition from Patti Davis, Reagan's daughter, and then-presidential candidate Donald Trump.
September 10, 2016: Hinckley Released from Institutional Psychiatric Care
On September 10, 2016, John Hinckley Jr. was released from institutional psychiatric care under strict conditions, including residing with his mother and limitations on his activities and communication.
2016: Conditional Release from Psychiatric Care
In 2016, John Hinckley Jr. was granted conditional release from psychiatric care after a judge ruled he was no longer a threat.
November 2018: Hinckley Allowed to Move Out of Mother's House
In November 2018, Judge Friedman ruled that John Hinckley Jr. could move out of his mother's house and live independently, subject to location approval from his doctors.
2018: Hinckley Portrayed in "Timeless"
John Hinckley Jr. was featured as a character in the TV series "Timeless."
September 2019: Hinckley Plans to Request Full, Unconditional Release
In September 2019, John Hinckley Jr.'s attorney announced his client's plan to seek full and unconditional release from court-ordered living restrictions by the year's end.
October 2020: Court Grants Hinckley Permission to Publicly Share His Work
In October 2020, a federal court ruled that John Hinckley Jr. could publicly showcase and market his artwork, writings, and music under his own name. This privilege, however, could be revoked by his treatment team.
December 2020: Hinckley Launches YouTube Channel
John Hinckley Jr. started a YouTube channel in December 2020, where he shared videos of himself performing both original songs and covers.
2020: Public Showcase of Creative Works Allowed
In 2020, John Hinckley Jr. was granted permission to publicly showcase his art, writing, and music under his own name.
June 6, 2021: Hinckley Announces Album and Record Label
On June 6, 2021, John Hinckley Jr. announced in a YouTube video his plans to release an album and his establishment of Emporia Records, a label intended to promote music that deserves wider recognition.
September 27, 2021: Judge Approves Hinckley for Unconditional Release
On September 27, 2021, a federal judge approved John Hinckley Jr. for unconditional release, set to begin in June 2022. The decision garnered support from Michael Reagan but faced continued opposition from Patti Davis.
October 7, 2021: Hinckley Releases Debut Single
On October 7, 2021, John Hinckley Jr. self-published his first single, titled "We Have Got That Chemistry," on various streaming platforms.
November 10, 2021: Hinckley Releases Second Single
On November 10, 2021, John Hinckley Jr. released his second single, "You Let Whiskey Do Your Talking," on multiple streaming platforms. He also continued to share his original music through his YouTube channel.
December 2021: Hinckley Sets Album Release Date
In December 2021, John Hinckley Jr. revealed that his debut album would be released in early 2022 through his own record label, Emporia Records.
2021: Death of Jo Ann Hinckley
Jo Ann Hinckley, mother of John Hinckley Jr., passed away in 2021.
January 2022: Hinckley Seeks Band Members
In January 2022, John Hinckley Jr. announced his search for band members to form his own musical group.
June 15, 2022: Hinckley Fully Released from Court Restrictions
John Hinckley Jr. was fully released from all court-imposed restrictions on June 15, 2022.
June 2022: Hinckley Expresses Remorse in CBS Interview
Following his full release, John Hinckley Jr. participated in a CBS interview in June 2022, expressing remorse for his past actions and offering apologies to the families impacted.
June 2022: Unconditional Release
John Hinckley Jr.'s restrictions were lifted unconditionally in June 2022, over 40 years after his assassination attempt.
2022: Hinckley's Planned Album Release
In 2022, John Hinckley Jr. planned to release his debut album through his own record label, Emporia Records.
July 12, 2023: Hinckley's Album Released
On July 12, 2023, John Hinckley Jr.'s album was released by Asbestos Records. This followed the cancellation of his planned live performances due to security concerns and threats.
April 2024: Hinckley Gains Significant YouTube Following
By April 2024, John Hinckley Jr.'s YouTube channel had amassed over 37,000 subscribers.
