A U.S. attorney won't charge John Hinckley in the death of James Brady
Ronald Reagan's former press secretary was shot in the head during Hinckley's 1981 attempt to assassinate Reagan
The U.S. attorney says there are too many legal hurdles to prosecute Hinckley since Brady died 33 years later
WashingtonCNN
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John Hinckley won’t face charges in the death of former President Ronald Reagan’s press secretary, James Brady – whose death last summer was ruled a homicide, even though it happened more than three decades after Brady was shot by Hinckley.
U.S. Attorney Ron Machen’s office announced the decision Friday, citing two legal barriers it couldn’t overcome in attempting to press new charges stemming from Hinckley’s 1981 attempt to assassinate Reagan, during which Brady was shot in the head, outside the Washington Hilton Hotel.
Hinckley faced charges related to Brady’s shooting during his 1982 trial, but was found not guilty by reason of insanity. “Because the jury conclusively made this finding, the government would be precluded now from arguing that Hinckley was sane at the time he shot Mr. Brady,” Machen’s office said.
The District of Columbia also had a “year-and-a-day” rule in effect at the time, which prohibited homicide charges if the victim died outside of that time span.
“The Brady Family respects the decision of the U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of Columbia not to move forward with prosecution,” Brady’s family said in a statement Friday. “We deeply appreciate the extraordinary outpouring of love and support since the Bear’s passing. We miss him greatly.”
Brady was shot in the head in the Reagan assassination attempt. He survived, but was left with slurred speech and partial paralysis. He suffered from chronic diseases as a result of the gunshot, including aspiration pneumonia, which he was suffering from when he died – leading a medical examiner to conclude that Brady had died as a result of a “gunshot wound of head and consequences thereof.”
Photos: Gun-control advocate James Brady
Evan Vucci/AP
James Brady, alongside his wife Sarah, speaks in 2011 about new legislation curbing gun violence. He was a former White House press secretary who became a prominent gun-control advocate after he was wounded in the 1981 attempt on President Ronald Reagan's life. He died in August at the age of 73.
Photos: Gun-control advocate James Brady
Zebowski/AP
Reagan introduces Brady as his press secretary on January 6, 1981, in Washington.
Photos: Gun-control advocate James Brady
MIKE EVENS/AFP/Getty Images
Police and Secret Service agents react during the Reagan assassination attempt, which took place March 30, 1981, after a conference outside the Hilton Hotel in Washington. Lying on the ground in front is wounded police officer Thomas Delahanty. Brady is behind him, also lying face down.
Photos: Gun-control advocate James Brady
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Brady is placed into an ambulance shortly after being shot. He suffered a head wound and was left partially paralyzed.
Photos: Gun-control advocate James Brady
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Maryland Attorney General Joseph Curran reaches to shake Brady's hand outside the U.S. Supreme Court in October 1981. After leaving the White House, Brady launched the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, which pushes for stricter firearms laws.
Photos: Gun-control advocate James Brady
Dick Swanson/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
Brady, with his left hand in a sling, chats with his son, Scott, in November 1981. Because of the shooting, Brady had to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
Photos: Gun-control advocate James Brady
Dirck Halstead/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
Brady is next to President Bill Clinton as Clinton signs the Brady Bill on November 30, 1993. The bill, which was fiercely fought over for years before Congress approved it, required background checks for gun purchases.
Photos: Gun-control advocate James Brady
Greg Gibson/AP
Brady gives a thumbs-up to Clinton at the White House on September 9, 1996. Brady was receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States.
Photos: Gun-control advocate James Brady
Harry Hamburg/NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images
Clinton congratulates Brady in February 2000, when the White House press briefing room was named in his honor.
Photos: Gun-control advocate James Brady
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Brady visits the White House Briefing Room with his wife as White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton, left, shows them around in June 2009.
