Hinckley victims win music royalties
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Washington - The victims of John Hinckley, the would-be assassin of President Ronald Reagan, have gained the rights to Hinckley's life story and any "literary and musical works" he might compose - which could be worth up to $2.9m (£1.8m), writes Rupert Cornwell.
The unusual deal settles a 13-year lawsuit brought by two of the former president's bodyguards and his press secretary, James Brady, who were wounded when Hinckley opened fire on Mr Reagan outside the Washington Hilton hotel in March 1981. Mr Brady is confined to a wheelchair.
According to lawyers, Hinckley, 35, signed the agreement this week at the Washington mental hospital where he has been kept since being found not guilty by virtue of insanity. It provides for 80 per cent of the first $3.6m of any revenue go to his victims. The rest would be in trust for Hinckley, who can be released only if a judge deems him no longer a threat to public safety.
Mr Brady and the two bodyguards plan to offer the rights to publishers and film-makers, although what interest the story will generate is unclear. The "musical" works of Hinckley involve the rock 'n' roll lyrics he wrote in recent years. "He's quite talented," said Frederick Schwartz, Mr Brady's lawyer.
Hinckley said he committed the crime to try to impress the actress Jodie Foster, with whom he was obsessed. The attack subsequently became a prime argument for gun-control.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments