Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) Public reaction to verdict in John West Hinckley's trial reported Hinckley's victims Timothy McCarthy, Thomas Delahanty, James Brady and President Reagan noted declining comment on verdict. [REAGAN - refuses to comment.]
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds

(DC) Judge Barrington Parker reported committing Hinckley to Saint Elizabeth's Hospital; details given. Reaction of defense attorney Vincent Fuller quoted on screen; response of Hinckley's parents mentioned. [Jurors Maryland COPELIN, Nathalia BROWN - believe structure of judicial system forced their votes.] Pressure on prosecutor to prove Hinckley sane while lack of pressure on defense noted. [Jury foreman Lawrence COFFEY - claims personal feelings have to be ignored. Issues about insanity defense raised by verdict considered.
REPORTER: Tim O'Brien Artist: Freda Reiter

(DC) Capitol Hill reaction to verdict examined. [PEOPLE - criticize verdict.] [Senator Arlen SPECTER - criticizes law.] Proposed changes in insanity defense outlined on screen, discussed. [Senator Orrin HATCH - thinks law is the problem.] Efforts to strengthen federal firearms laws recalled encountering gun lobby.
REPORTER: Brit Hume

(Studio) [Edwin MEESE - discusses verdict, insanity defense] [Attorney General William French SMITH - comments on insanity defense, Hinckley's soc. and financial resources.] Further discussion of event on tonight's "Nightline" announced.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds

(Studio) Upcoming items announced.
REPORTER: Max Robinson

(Studio) Item recapped at end of broadcast