THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A federal judge is questioning whether Williamsburg is the best community for John Hinckley Jr. after testimony that the would-be presidential assassin has been rejected from several volunteer positions there.

U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman in Washington is considering a mental hospital's request to lengthen Hinckley's periodic visits with his family in Williamsburg.

His comments came after testimony from Hinckley's doctors that several volunteer organizations initially accepted Hinckley and then rejected him.

Hinckley's mother lives in Williamsburg. But Friedman says the District of Columbia is a more diverse community and may be more accepting of Hinckley over the long term as he is given greater freedom.

Hinckley has been committed to St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington since he shot and wounded President Reagan in 1981.