世界经典英语演讲赏析教学课件11. Ronald W. Reagan-Ronald W. Reagan’s First Inaugural Address.ppt

Reagan Assassination Attempt and  the American Legal System The Reagan assassination attempt occurred on Monday, March 30, 1981, just 69 days into the presidency of Ronald Reagan. While leaving a speaking engagement at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., President Reagan and three others were shot and wounded by John Hinckley,?Jr. Reagan suffered a punctured lung and heavy internal bleeding, but prompt medical attention allowed him to recover quickly and on April 11 he was released from the hospital, becoming the first serving U.S. President to survive being shot in an assassination attempt. The murderer was 26 years old, named John Hinckley. He killed the president only for the purpose of winning actress Judi Forster’s love. Reagan Assassination Attempt and  the American Legal System Hinkley was arrested on the spot. But in America, every case must be dealt with step by step following legal procedures. So Hinkley couldn’t be executed in a quick manner just because he assassinated the President. During the trial, the motive for the assassination was found out. Just as what he had written in his letter to Forster, it was “to impress her”, “to express his love for her”.. Reagan Assassination Attempt and  the American Legal System The motive and behavior, in our view, had little to do with a mental patient. However, on the fifth day of his arrest, Hinckley’s parents claimed that he suffered from mental disease. In accordance with the US law, the court invited psychiatrists（精神病专家） to hold a consultation（会诊）, which led to the conclusion that Hinckley did suffer from mental disease ( insanity ). More than a year later, on June 21, 1982, in accordance with the jury’s verdict （裁决）, Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity. But because he had the potential of violent harm, he was to be confined at a mental hospital till he could be proved not to be a threat to himself and the society any more. In Dece