Judge grants unconditional release for John Hinckley Jr.

A federal judge ruled Monday that John Hinckley Jr. will be unconditionally released next year, more than 40 years after Hinckley shot then-President Ronald Reagan in 1981.

"If he hadn’t tried to kill a president he would have been released unconditionally a long time ago," U.S. District Court Judge Paul Friedman said.

It was Friedman who had allowed Hinckley out five years ago, determining that Hinckley's mental condition was "in full and sustained remission" and had been for more than 27 years. He had been diagnosed with a psychotic disorder and major depression.