of any crime (however, it may be that he should have been). He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed civilly. He can be held only so long as he remains mentally ill and a danger to himself or others. The so-called "insanity defense" has created many problems for society over the years. But has for Hinckley, like it or not, he is entitled to be released if his condition no longer meets the terms of confinement.
(I got my SJD at U. Mich. based on my study of mental illness in the criminal law. I have no loe for the defense but it is recognized everywhere in one form or another. Hinckley's trial results led to substantial change in the law of legal insanity in many US & Federal jurisdictions).