I've Got a Bad Feeling About This

John Hinckley, Jr., who attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan and succeeded in permanently maiming James Brady, will now be allowed to spend quality time with his folks outside the psychiatric facility where he's been confined for the last 25 years.

U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman ruled Hinckley could be allowed initially three, three-night visits and later another four, four-night visits. It was not known Friday when Hinckley will make the visits.

The Justice Department could appeal the decision. Justice Spokesman John Nowacki said the order was being reviewed.

Friedman said Hinckley, 50, "is not permitted to leave one or both parents' supervision at any time during the course of the conditional release" except when specified under a hospital-administered treatment plan — and then the separation may be no longer than 90 minutes.

The government had opposed Hinckley's requests to visit the gated community where his parents live in Williamsburg, a three-hour drive from the forensic hospital where he has been held since 1982.

Are his parents capable of controlling Hinckley should he act out against someone? Has Hinckley's medical condition truly been brought under control that he can be trusted in public situations? Apparently the doctors seem to think so, but I'm not so sure.