Abduction · political demands · contested responsibility
The SLA abducted Hearst in February 1974 and demanded food distributions. Bank cameras recorded her with the group in April. Her 1976 trial centered on her claim that threats and abuse compelled her actions.
On February 4, 1974, the Symbionese Liberation Army abducted 19-year-old Patricia Hearst from her Berkeley apartment. The group demanded that her family fund food distributions. In April, a recording announced that Hearst had joined the SLA under the name Tania, and bank cameras recorded her armed participation in the Hibernia robbery. She remained a fugitive until September 1975. At trial, Hearst testified that threats and abuse had compelled her actions; prosecutors argued that she had acted willingly. A jury convicted her in March 1976. President Jimmy Carter commuted her sentence in 1979, and President Bill Clinton pardoned her in 2001.
California, 1974–1976
Hearst inside Hibernia Bank’s Sunset branch, April 15, 1974
Recent developments
Recent reporting and official developments, labeled by source and verification status.
Oct 6, 2026 · San Francisco Chronicle
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that William “Bill” Harris died September 10, 2026, aged 81. The report revisits his role in the kidnapping and later criminal proceedings.
Read article →The scale
Key figures are drawn from the published case record.
The criminal case
The kidnapping, food demands, Hibernia robbery, arrest, trial and presidential pardon.
See all 8 mapped locations →Feb 4, 1974
Armed SLA members entered the Berkeley apartment shared by 19-year-old Hearst and Steven Weed, attacked Weed and forced Hearst into a waiting car.
Feb 12, 1974
A tape delivered to KPFA carried Hearst’s voice and DeFreeze’s demand that her family fund food distributions for people in need.
Apr 15, 1974
Hearst and other armed SLA members robbed Hibernia Bank’s Sunset branch at 1450 Noriega Street. Security cameras recorded her carrying a weapon inside the bank.
Sep 18, 1975
Authorities arrested Hearst and Wendy Yoshimura in San Francisco. Bill and Emily Harris were captured separately that day after investigators tracked associates of the fugitives.
Mar 20, 1976
The jury convicted Hearst of federal bank-robbery and firearm offenses after hearing her duress defense.
Jan 20, 2001
President Bill Clinton granted Hearst a federal pardon on January 20, 2001, the final day of his presidency.
Evidence and proceedings
Security cameras recorded Hearst carrying a weapon during the Hibernia robbery.
Prosecutors used SLA recordings and Hearst’s recorded jail conversation with Patricia Tobin at trial.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed the conviction in 1977; commutation followed in 1979 and a pardon in 2001.
Judicial opinions and trial excerpts cover Hearst’s testimony, the prosecution’s evidence, the verdict and later challenges involving her defense counsel.
Explore the case documents →Go deeper
This overview is the map. The case tabs hold the underlying events, people, media, locations, and source material.