Agent testifies John Hinckley paused in front of books on presidential assassinations

• Reprints

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Secret Service agent has testified that the man who shot President Ronald Reagan in 1981 stopped and paused at a bookstore last fall in front of books on presidential assassinations and Reagan’s dispute with striking air traffic controllers.

The testimony Monday came at a hearing in U.S. District Court in Washington to determine whether John Hinckley is ready to have weeks-long visits with his mother in Virginia. Hinckley, who was found not guilty by reason of insanity, has been held for the last three decades at a Washington psychiatric hospital. He occasionally is allowed to visit his mother in Williamsburg, Va.

Secret Service Agent Jason Clickner testified he was conducting surveillance on Hinckley when he observed him inside a bookstore. He said Hinckley became “fixated” on sections with books on American history, including the assassination of President William McKinley.

Hinckley’s lawyer pointed out that the shelves included books on totally unrelated subjects.