Forty-three years ago today, on June 21, 1982 (May 1, 1982), the assassin who assassinated Reagan was acquitted of insanity. On June 21, 1982, John W. Hinckley, who was present at the time of the shooting of President Reagan and three others, was acquitted of insanity. The 27-year-old defendant, who may be transferred to St. Elizabeth Mental Hospital in Washington, D.C., for treatment, shocked the audience when the jury announced the verdict. The jury made the verdict after 24 hours of careful consideration. At that time, Hinckley let out a light sigh and his mother embraced her husband in tears.