The man who tried to assassinate President Reagan speaks about his remorse | Nightline 

The RU-vid Recommendation Algorithm is wilding 💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

I have passed this man many times on a walking trail in my Kingsmill neighborhood in Williamsburg Virginia. I have to admit it's kind of a heart stopper. 😳

He saw the movie Taxi Driver and said, "Literally me."

People watching after the trump shooting

John Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity. It's not an unfair verdict. He was insane. As he said, it took 41 years and a lot of work for him to earn his freedom. If you believe in forgiveness, you have to believe he earned it.

It's important to remember that this man was incredibly sick. He did not try to kill Reagan because of political motivations, it was because he was severely unwell and needed help. Reagan himself forgave him and I am glad he got the help he so severely needed.

Anyone here from trump

Mental illness is 100% real and needs to be treated as earlier as possible. Parents need to learn to recognize the signs, accept the situation and get their children help. I wish my brother had the help he needed sooner in his life. Unfortunately by the time we found out it was too late for him to reverse course as he was a fully grown man. Had they caught it sooner it may have made the difference, there were definitely signs. My brother took his own life a couple of years ago. I pray he is in a better place, suffering no longer.

His story plays out over and over again in mass shootings. Lonely, depressed young men who seemed to be cut off from friends and family. Hopelessness plus ACCESS TO A GUN seems to be a recipe for disaster in the hands of some young men.

It’s important to note that he’s overcome quite a lot. Going from clinically insane to being able to participate fully in society takes extreme effort and motivation. I think this effort is indicative of his success and the ability for him to use a second chance. I hope for the best for him.

Ehh... Still get pretty uncomfortable vibes from him.

It's incredibly moving to hear about individuals reflecting on their past actions and expressing genuine remorse. It takes a lot of courage and self-awareness to publicly acknowledge mistakes, especially ones of such gravity. This kind of story can serve as a powerful reminder of the capacity for change and growth within us all. It's a testament to the idea that people can learn from their past and work towards becoming better versions of themselves. Let's hope that sharing these reflections can help others on their own journeys of personal growth and healing.

I was in the 6th grade when that happened and I remember it like it was yesterday. Im glad he got the psych help he needed and has been put back into society. Im sure he is being watched constantly by many government agencies. I can see why not everyone can forgive him. Its their choice.

As a mental health worker one thing I really hate about this interview is that it doesn’t even try to educate viewers on what any of his diagnoses are or even what a “delusion” is. The comments are enough evidence that people are just not educated enough on mental illness. I’m not saying that being mentally ill is an excuse for shooting people, let alone a president, but I don’t think people quite understand that he was literally too sick to understand the gravity of what he was planning on doing

Anyone watching this after what happened to trump?

Watching the speed in which the Secret Service agents reacted back then - amazing and impressive!

I remember the day when Reagan was shot. I was in college and I had no idea that some 41 years later I'd be watching the shooter out free and giving interviews on RU-vid....

This guy shot a cop, a us president, and two other people and he a free man , how is this possible?

I also remember it like it was yesterday. I was at work and my Father called me and told me the President had been shot. I told the entire office out loud. It wasn't announced by anyone else. I feel like the worse thing was what it did to the Brady Family. It totally changed their life. I'm not sure what happened to the Secret Service agent. I'll have to look into it. Apparently he was also highly affected. It is sad how something like a movie could have such an impression on a person. I'm sure he is not the same person especially after being in a mental hospital being pumped full of drugs all those years. I'm also sure a lot of people in prison after this many years aren't the same person but they will most likely not get out. He should consider himself very lucky to be free. I understand now his Mother has died. It's just all sad.

In a way, this story is kind of hopeful. Reading up on it, the levels of social withdrawal he had, the delusions and total loss of contact with reality he had, and to then be able to overcome it to become a functional person, it sends quite a message about how much we've disposed other people with schizophrenia, condemned them to either the streets or prisons or suicide, or worse, a mass-casualty event with suicide. He received incredible mental health support, and I wish that was the norm for everyone in America. And I wish this support was available in the teenage years when it could change their whole life trajectory.

Whether or not his acts are forgivable, I do believe he is sincere in his attempt to meaningfully change as a person for the better and to be open to outside help for his mental conditions. I think he really does mean it when he apologizes and admits his wrongs, that's more than many others can say for other such cases.

I'm sure he's not totally free there's no way you could commit a crime like that and they just let you go free as a bird. I'm sure he's being watched from his calls, to internet, and even his daily activities. We live in a time of mass shootings and he seems heavily medicated, I'm sure a few weeks without medication and he'll be a different person and he's able bodied, so he's still dangerous.

When I went to the Ronald Reagan Library in California I was just taken aback at this part of the museum. It really puts you into the mindset of the moment, making you feel you were there, and feeling the fear and confusion of this terrifying moment. A miracle that Reagan survived.

Man police and secret service were built different back then

meanwhile there are people who have committed non violent crimes, locked up for life without parole but this guy is free and given air time by national news. kmt

It is incredibly a miracle that he is speaking...living over 40 years in an institution... i worked at a lockdown facility for mental patients in a unit for criminals. automatically all patients who have assaulted children, sex offenders, aggressive people, just arrested, or came from the prison, they are all lumped together. on bad days where everyone is freaking out, the nurse would sedate and have us restrain them. sometimes the shots would work and other times, they would murmur and mumble to themselves in bed, completely unable to get up. Ive seen people deteriorate mentally and lose all abilities to communicate properly. i've seen patients unable to get up to use the restroom and theyre soiled. give them no antipyschotics and youll see that same guy masturbating in the hallway staring at a fire extinguisher. it's really a tough environment and a tough job. the only thing that kept me going was to know i had a home to go back to. i had my cats, my osrs(games), my music, my redbull, my mary jane. i was sooo grateful i got somewhere to go back to after being 12 hours a shift in a place i felt so...diffferent. im sure he learned to adapt but its actually very impressive that hes sitting there. I cant actually believe it, it just shows he really really really wants his life and community and hes actually sorry. i dont think anyone has the ability to last 40 years in a mental institution and come out like that. or even fathom what those 40 years felt like. im serious

I learned that some people don't have the forgiving spirit as Jesus do. Once you do something bad then people want to hold it against you for the rest of your life.

I'm glad this guy got the help he needed. If he had it in the first place, the assassination attempt may not have happened. His case is unique in that it was immediately understood by everyone that he was completely insane. He actually believed Jodi Foster was going to show up afterward to marry him. Even while being told he was in isolation for attempted assassination of the president. He would wake up every day expecting her to be there. The dude even had numerous journals where he believed she was talking back in writing. No one understood the level of insanity until reading those journals. This is one of the only people in history to use insanity as a defense against an assassination attempt successfully. Because there was no refuting how far in the woods he was.

Glad he got the help he needed, and if he's genuine and is changed and is apologetic, then I'm also glad for him.

I truly believe him. I really hope he finds healing and moves forward.

Fucking hell RU-vid it’s only been a day and you already recommending this?!😭

5:31 The camera flash makes it look like the Secret Service agent fired his Uzi in the air.

If he truly has changed, I think he is in a unique position to helps those who are having trouble with mental illness nowadays…

My uncle was one of the secret service agents that was there and also shown in the video just before the shots were fired. He wasn’t one of the ones that was injured.

I'll never forget watching that horrific event on TV. To me, the testimony from Dr. Park Elliott Dietz was very compelling. I'd love to hear what he thinks about Hinckley's release. I hope I'm wrong in thinking Hinckley never stopped being manipulative.

Why is this man not in jail

I’m happy this man got help, and he learnt and now he is going to do well, unfortunately a lot of his life went down the drain but he can turn it around.

He looks heavily medicated

Just so happened to show up in my recommended

I think this man showing genuine remose and ability to change and if he lives oyt the rest of his life it will prove to people that people can change

It’s easy for us to say “forgive him” but the secret service agent that was there said “hell no” I am going with him.

Balanced. We can all decide what side of the fence we need to sit on but this segment was fair and helpful for us to make that decision. More of this type of news is helpful. Kudos.

My office was on the 2nd floor of that building overlooking the site. Wasn't at my desk when it happened though. I was on the elevator returning from a smoke break on the Connecticut Ave. side....that street crossing behind them.

Wow wait what? I met him in Virginia at a state park. I knew of the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan, I knew of John Hinckley. I did not know that the man I met was John Hinckley though. I think I always pictured John Hinckley from the 80s. obviously he didn’t tell me he was John Hinckley, but he did tell me his name is John. I talked to this guy about the trail we were on and about music. My brain is in overload right now. The guy was very rememberable that was on the trail with and now I know why. I’m freaking out right now. I had no clue who I was talking to, wtf. No freaking way whaaaaaaaaaaat.

"I wish they would pass a law where all Democrats and Republicans had to wear NASCAR racing suits, because if you look at the NASCAR drivers, it tells who their sponsors are. And if they do that, we could then become informed voters, because we would know who owns them." ~ Jesse Ventura

While one can be sceptical that someone who committed a horrible offense and is found to be insane, can be rehabilitated. And that's certainly the case for some, I think it's import to not just clump every case/person together and deem 'them all' impossible to rehabilitate.

I am a opened minded person, I will watch this to the end. So fascinating! I will never forget the day...I am still filled with anger! The animal that carried out that horrific crime is not the same person now...truly. I am glad for his transformation, truly. I want to like him, and help him...he seems very apologetic. But I can not get passed the damage he inflicted James Brady.

I am certainly not a psychiatrist, but I have to say that everything he says seems perfectly sane to me.

I believe him. One in five people have the types of mental illness they said John had/has, and sadly now shootings are far more common as opposed to back then. After 40+ years I think he did his time and learned his lesson, but only he knows if that is really true. Just imagine if you were him (I know it's hard, but really try) would you feel this was justified? How would yo feel if you did everything and then some that society asks and people still wondered if you could be trusted.... Look, Reagan forgave and I believe that is powerful. If he can, why can't we?

I met him when he was a patient at st Elizabeth hospital in dc in the 80’s . He looked just like that picture. I was a student writing a research paper

I was just thinking of Taxi Driver and they then said about it LOL

Can you see the difference between what happened here and what happened in Pennsylvania a few days ago?

The Jodie Foster part is truly wild. Apparently,Jodie Foster was talking/corresponding with him.Now,Jodie Foster had no idea this guy was that deranged and she was young and naive and all she did was just talk to him.The Secret Service did a whole investigation about his relationship with Jodie Foster.

I’m sure there are plenty of people who would say this guy should have been locked up for life but honestly… I do believe this guy was clinically insane. To say someone cannot be cured is just narrow minded. After 40 years I think he has been at least controlled if not cured. Also he claims he takes his meds so if that true, then yeah it probably helps him.

When did this originally air?

People should give this good guy a break. I can feel and see his honesty. He is not dangerous to anyone.

Obviously I don't think this applies to every crime but I think in this specific case, the fact that he served over 4 decades as a mental patient means he deserves a second chance at living some sort of life. 41 years is a long god damn time.

Wow its amazing this guy got to be interviewed. He's come a long way

0:38 anyone notice homie with a goddamn UZI 😂😂😂😂😂

I get depressed often but thankfully I never want to hurt others because of it.

Lmfao they let this guy out on insanity 🤣 I love America

This is BS people are in jail with no parole for petty crimes and this guy is OUT!! WTF

RU-vid recommended this to me I wonder why

We all need forgiveness for one reason or another in this life.

You guys seem so kind and compassionate in the comments, wish it were like this on other videos if you know what I mean

This guy's parents lived in my town, my mom has seen him around town and even spoken to him on occasion and said there's something not quite right about him still but she can't put her finger on it

Thanks for letting us know hes in Williamsburg VA...

no one can be remotely same after 41yrs

He comes across as genuine. For some reason I believe him

My Mother was born on 2/5/1981 and to think she was nearly 2 weeks old when this happened is quite interesting

Expected Jack Ruby Jr to roll in and ….😂

This is a really good interview & case to look at.

It’s comforting reading the comments of people wishing him well…. Sometimes people make awful mistakes but they can learn and grow to be better people from those mistakes. It’s not all just black and white. I wish him the best of luck as well as many others trying to be better than they were.

how he free tho?

The fact that he thinks mental illness can be cured rather than controlled or that he's adequately paid his debt to society demonstrates how little he understands the gravity of what he did. He almost killed four people, severely disabling one of them. James Brady eventually died as a direct result of the injuries Hinkley inflicted that day.

A second chance, use it well sir & don’t let naysayers bring you anywhere near what you felt before. You got this. (For anyone struggling)

I wish him well, and hope his life is one of happiness and contentment. He appears genuine.

This guy fooled the system? 😳

I understand that what he did was horrible, but I can't lie, it makes me happy to hear that he's changed. Happy for him :)

The guy walked to the interview with his guitar and mentioned 'his music' and art at the end of the interview. I think he believed he was going to play some of his music during the interview. If that was the case, I'm glad they didn't show it. Society now just crosses its fingers hoping he takes his meds everyday.

Oh my God why is anyone bothering interviewing this criminal. He caused so much pain and heartache. Poor Jim Brady became disabled due to him. This is absolutely ridiculous to show him any attention.

This man has changed through his life & is now living a better life & realizing what he tried to do was wrong very wrong & besides we all have to forgive ourselves of what we do the worst.

Come to Glasgoooooooow!

The news reporter completely drilled him unfairly. And anti psychotic meds are not as crazy as anyone thinks. Lots of people are on them. They're not just for literally completely nuts people. These meds also help people who have racing and intrusive thoughts and self harming behavior and are anti depressants and mood stabilizers themselves.

I think forgiveness is important. Especially considering his mental disorders. However, we can’t force anyone to forgive him. I hope he continues to stick with his treatment as he has for 41 years and I hope he has the opportunity to impact his community in a positive way.

"Even though I don't need them I take the meds" this statement is very concerning.

Why does the reporter sound so condescending when asking questions lmao, she's like this in other interviews too

I got diagnosed MDD few years ago, it got really bad to a point sometimes you can not tell imagination from reality anymore and meds can do only so much. For me it was all about suicidal, like someone planted a seed in your head and it just kept growing bigger and bigger by the time. I once considered to kill all the people who were treated me horribly before I kill myself. I'm glad I didnt do it, but back then I was really having trouble to get that idea out of my head. I'm not making any excuses for those massive shooters and whatnot, but when you are so suicidal all your fears and logic would just disappeared at some point. I'm speaking as a mental illness patient, people like us should never be able to purchase a firearm. It's not safe for them, and it's sure as hell not safe for people around them.

People who attempt to kill others should never be given a 2nd chance to do it again to someone else.

How is he alive?

This guy got 40 years for trying to assasinate a President but a black dude gets 60 for stealing a UPS truck😓

Yeah he's definitely not free.. secret service gonna be following him, tapped into his home, phone, car, everything. He's never gonna be alone for the rest of his life

I’m on the fence over whether it’s a good idea for Hinckley to do these interviews. The corporate media is very savage in tearing people apart for the sake of getting public approval. If I were Hinckley, I would lay low and not give interviews to anybody. I would also not be doing any “redemption concerts” either.

Well this is suddenly relevant again

The entire justice system is based upon the idea that a man can change, if he wants to change then let him.

this guy is based af

“The bullet actually hit me on the way in… Originally I had thought he (his bodyguard) had fallen on me and I said ‘Get off of me I think you broke my ribs’”

James Brady and his family suffered a huge loss!!!

Crazy they let him out smh

Strange that he was just a boy with no prospects for the future, he had a family that was highly placed in the oil business. He may have been depressed, but the underlying reason that led this man to have so many diagnoses seems obscure to me. There may have been cases of schizophrenia in his family history, but his parents seemed perfectly normal. Parents who, however, have always loved and defended him.