Story highlights A U.S. attorney won't charge John Hinckley in the death of James Brady

Ronald Reagan's former press secretary was shot in the head during Hinckley's 1981 attempt to assassinate Reagan

The U.S. attorney says there are too many legal hurdles to prosecute Hinckley since Brady died 33 years later

Washington (CNN) John Hinckley won't face charges in the death of former President Ronald Reagan's press secretary, James Brady -- whose death last summer was ruled a homicide, even though it happened more than three decades after Brady was shot by Hinckley.

U.S. Attorney Ron Machen's office announced the decision Friday, citing two legal barriers it couldn't overcome in attempting to press new charges stemming from Hinckley's 1981 attempt to assassinate Reagan, during which Brady was shot in the head, outside the Washington Hilton Hotel.

Hinckley faced charges related to Brady's shooting during his 1982 trial, but was found not guilty by reason of insanity. "Because the jury conclusively made this finding, the government would be precluded now from arguing that Hinckley was sane at the time he shot Mr. Brady," Machen's office said.

The District of Columbia also had a "year-and-a-day" rule in effect at the time, which prohibited homicide charges if the victim died outside of that time span.

Photos: John Hinckley Jr. and Jodie Foster Photos: John Hinckley Jr. and Jodie Foster John Hinckley Jr. and Jodie Foster – Before he shot President Reagan in 1981, John Hinckley Jr. became obsessed with actress Jodie Foster after seeing her film "Taxi Driver" at least 15 times. Defense psychiatrists said Hinckley played Russian roulette and took this photo of himself. Hide Caption 1 of 9 Photos: John Hinckley Jr. and Jodie Foster 'Queen Jodie Approximately' – Hinckley wrote this poem for Foster, said prosecutors. Hide Caption 2 of 9 Photos: John Hinckley Jr. and Jodie Foster Hinckley's postcard to Foster – Prosecutors said Hinckley wrote a note to Foster on the back of this postcard which featured the president and first lady Nancy Reagan. Click on the next frame to read Hinckley's note to Foster. Hide Caption 3 of 9 Photos: John Hinckley Jr. and Jodie Foster 'Remain a virgin' – Hinckley wrote to Foster that the two of them would someday occupy the White House. "... please do your best to remain a virgin." Both sides introduced this postcard in evidence at Hinckley's trial. Hide Caption 4 of 9 Photos: John Hinckley Jr. and Jodie Foster Kidnapping note – Prosecutors said Hinckley sent this anonymous threat to the FBI, which says Foster would be kidnapped "for romantic reasons." Hide Caption 5 of 9 Photos: John Hinckley Jr. and Jodie Foster 'I'll rescue you very soon' – On his last visit to Yale University, where Foster was a freshman, Hinckley left this note promising to "rescue" her. This also was introduced in evidence at the trial. Hide Caption 6 of 9 Photos: John Hinckley Jr. and Jodie Foster 'You must admit I am different' – This farewell note was slipped under Foster's dorm room door only 31/2 weeks before Hinckley shot President Reagan. "Don't you maybe like me just a little bit? You must admit I am different," said the note, which was signed "John Hinckley of course." Hide Caption 7 of 9 Photos: John Hinckley Jr. and Jodie Foster The 'Dear Jodie' letter – Prosecutors said Hinckley left a two-page letter in his hotel room, telling Foster he planned to shoot Reagan to win her love and that he suspected he would die "in my attempt to get Reagan." Hide Caption 8 of 9 Photos: John Hinckley Jr. and Jodie Foster Foster reacts to the failed assassination – During a news conference at Yale two days after the shooting, Foster told reporters, "I've never met, spoken to or in any way associated with one John W. Hinckley." Hide Caption 9 of 9

"The Brady Family respects the decision of the U.S. Attorney's office for the District of Columbia not to move forward with prosecution," Brady's family said in a statement Friday. "We deeply appreciate the extraordinary outpouring of love and support since the Bear's passing. We miss him greatly."

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