Who was James Brady? John Hinckley Jr who attempted Reagan's assassination admits he killed WH press secretary

For the first time, John Hinckley Jr., who attempted to shoot Ronald Reagan, has acknowledged that he was the one who killed the former president's press secretary. A gunshot that was fired by Hinckley on March 30, 1981, outside the Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC, missed Ronald Reagan's heart by a matter of inches. James Brady, the press secretary for the White House, was also wounded in the head by Hinckley, rendering him crippled and requiring a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. Brady became an advocate for gun control while suffering serious injuries. Bill Clinton, the former president, even had legislation named in his honor. On August 4, 2014, Brady passed away at the age of 73. A coroner concluded that the brain injury he sustained 33 years ago was what caused him to pass away. Brady's death was deemed to be a homicide at the time, and Hinckley has since acknowledged that he killed Brady. In an interview, Piers Morgan grilled the 67-year-old ex-convict about Brady's passing.  "He died from the wounds he suffered, it was designated homicide by the coroner because of the year and the day rule you could not be tried for murder," Morgan said. "But do you accept now that because you fired the gun at James Brady that caused the catastrophic injuries and subsequent death that you were guilty of his murder?" "I wouldn't say that, but I certainly caused him to have devastating injuries," Hinckley responded. "But I believe he lived on for another 30-something years. So I can't really say I'm the cause of his murder." Morgan did not stop insisting, saying, "You did kill him", to which Hinckley said, "I understand." "But [do] you accept you killed him?" Morgan asked. "I would say yes," Hinckley replied. This was Hinckley's first television interview after being released from prison in June.

Who was James Brady?

James Brady served as the 17th White House press secretary and was a member of the US president's staff. As a member of the staff in the office of Illinois Senator Everett Dirksen, he started his career in public service (R- IL). He oversaw Wayne Jones' 1964 congressional campaign in Illinois' 23rd District as Jones' campaign manager. Brady oversaw Phyllis Schlafly's campaign in the same district in 1970. Later, he held a variety of jobs in the government and the business sector. Brady held the role of White House press secretary until the end of the Reagan administration but was unable to continue in that capacity following the attack. On a "acting" or "deputy" basis, Larry Speakes and Marlin Fitzwater took over that position. In 1960, Brady wed Sue Beh; however, the couple separated in 1967. In 1972, Brady wed Sarah Jane Kemp, and the couple later joined the Episcopal Church. Brady and Sarah advocated for tighter limits on assault weapons and handguns. In his honor, the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, also known as "the Brady Bill," was created. Brady was honored by having the White House press briefing room christened the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room in 2000.