John Hinckley, psycho who shot Reagan to impress Jodie Foster, 'has recovered and will soon be released from mental hospital' - 27th Mar 2011

The man who stalked and shot President Ronald Reagan is edging closer to being released after almost 30 years in a mental hospital.

According to court records, the forensic psychologist at his hospital has testified that John W. Hinckley Jr has 'recovered to the point that he poses no imminent risk of danger to himself or others.'

The college drop-out, who was possessed by a terrifying obsession with actress Jodie Foster, has already been freed for several visits to his ageing mother in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Despite government objections, a judge in 2009 extended his furlough privileges to a dozen visits of 10 days each during the past year and a half.

Hinckley, who is now 55, is required to carry a GPS-equipped cell phone for tracking purposes any time he is away from his mother's home, and by court order, he is forbidden to talk to any media.

U.S. Attorney Joseph diGenova, who helped oversee Hinckley's prosecution in 1982, said talk of his release is deeply worrying. Read More