Internet Access for Would-Be Reagan Assassin

WASHINGTON (CN) - Internet use remains a thorny issue in setting visitation privileges for John Hinckley Jr., the would-be assassin of President Ronald Reagan, a federal judge said Thursday.

Hinckley had shot at the former president six times on March 30, 1981, out of an apparent attempt to win the affections of actress Jodie Foster. Then-White House press secretary James Brady, Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy and officer Thomas Delahanty were also injured in the shooting at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.

St. Elizabeth's Psychiatric Hospital in Washington has treated Hinckley since he was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 1983, but the patient's privileges have grown over the years from unsupervised day visits with his parents outside the hospital to spending the night with them within 50 miles of D.C., under watch by Secret Service.

Since 2006, Hinckley has been allowed to leave the Washington metropolitan area to stay at his mother's home in Williamsburg, Va.

On Dec. 20, 2013, U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman expanded Hinckley's visits from 10 days a month to 17 days a month.

He noted Thursday that the parties have since conferred about three issues upon which they disagree.

"The most contentious issue in discussions among the parties relates to paragraph 21 governing Mr. Hinckley's use of the internet while at his mother's home in Williamsburg," Friedman wrote. "There are valid considerations on both sides of the argument, particularly in view of the increased time Mr. Hinckley will [now] be spending in Williamsburg. ... The court welcomes further filings with respect to this matter from the parties as appropriate, but suggests that the arguments for and against any modifications to the restrictions now contained in paragraph 21 would have to be supported by the testimony - in person or by affidavit - of health care professionals and perhaps other experts. Should Mr. Hinckley wish to pursue this matter prior to the conclusion of the eight visits contemplated by the court's opinion and order, he may do so."

Friedman sided against Hinckley with respect to the dispute over the language in paragraphs 21 and 25 of the order, and denied the government's request to add language "concerning a separate matter."

There are 29-points in the separately filed order.

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