Patty Hearst Kidnapping

Armed abductors seize Hearst from her apartment

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.

1. At about 9 p.m., armed intruders came to the apartment and attacked Weed.
2. Hearst was carried outside and forced into a car trunk while the abductors fired shots during their departure.
3. The group removed her from Berkeley. Her later testimony described blindfolding, confinement in closets, threats, and sexual assault.

The SLA claims custody and threatens rescue attempts

A communiqué delivered to KPFA radio claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, described Hearst as a political prisoner and threatened to kill her if authorities attempted a rescue.

Recorded demands tie release to food distribution

A tape delivered to KPFA carried Hearst’s voice and DeFreeze’s demand that her family fund food distributions for people in need.

The family establishes People in Need

Randolph Hearst committed approximately $2 million to a food-distribution program. The undertaking attempted to satisfy the captors' terms, but it did not secure his daughter's return.

1. The family announced People in Need to organize the food giveaway.
2. The SLA pressed for a larger commitment, demanding $6 million in the next recorded message.
3. Organizers prepared distributions while the family sought a release agreement; no release followed the initial commitment.

A tape announces the identity “Tania”

In a recording released by the SLA, Hearst said she had chosen to remain with the group and had adopted the name Tania.

Bank cameras record Hearst during the Hibernia robbery

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.

1. Armed SLA members entered the branch and took control of employees and customers.
2. Bank security cameras recorded Hearst carrying a weapon; witnesses later described her actions inside the branch.
3. The robbers took bank funds and fled. Prosecutors later introduced the surveillance images and witness testimony at Hearst’s trial.

Shots at Mel's Sporting Goods help the Harrises escape

After William Harris was confronted over shoplifting at Mel’s Sporting Goods in Inglewood, Hearst fired toward the store from a vehicle outside. Hearst and the Harrises fled and took teenager Thomas Matthews with them.

1. Store staff confronted Harris during the attempted theft, leading to a struggle.
2. Hearst fired toward the store from outside, allowing the Harrises to get away.
3. The fugitives took Matthews and used a vehicle while escaping; his later testimony described their conduct.

A gun battle and fire kill six SLA members

Police surrounded an SLA house on East 54th Street in Los Angeles. A prolonged gun battle and fire killed six members, including Donald DeFreeze and William Wolfe. Hearst and the Harrises were elsewhere.

Myrna Opsahl is killed in a separate bank robbery

An SLA robbery at Crocker Bank in Carmichael killed Opsahl while she was depositing church collections. Hearst's later account and evidence concerning the remaining group became relevant to a prosecution pursued decades later.

The search ends with arrests in San Francisco

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.

A jail visit produces a contested recording

Jail officials recorded Hearst speaking to her friend Patricia Tobin through the visiting-room communication system. The recording became prosecution evidence and a major issue in later legal challenges.

1. Tobin visited Hearst two days after the arrest.
2. Officials monitored and recorded the conversation under the jail's security policy, later delivering it to investigators and prosecutors.
3. The defense sought suppression; portions were nevertheless used in cross-examination and read to the jury.

The federal robbery trial reaches opening proceedings

Jury selection, which began January 27, ended February 4. The prosecution presented the Hibernia surveillance images, recordings and evidence of Hearst’s later actions. The defense argued that she had acted under duress.

1. Prosecutors presented evidence of Hearst’s armed participation in the robbery and used recordings and subsequent actions to challenge her account.
2. Hearst testified about confinement, threats, sexual assault and fear for her life. Defense experts addressed the effects of coercion.
3. During cross-examination, Hearst invoked the Fifth Amendment in response to questions about later activities.
4. Judge Oliver Carter instructed the jury on the charged offenses and the duress defense.

The jury finds Hearst guilty

The jury convicted Hearst of federal bank-robbery and firearm offenses after hearing her duress defense.

The final federal sentence is seven years

Judge William H. Orrick Jr. sentenced Hearst to seven years on the robbery count and two years on the firearm count, with the terms to run concurrently.

The Ninth Circuit affirms the conviction

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the conviction, rejecting challenges involving the Tobin recording, the scope of cross-examination and the exclusion of proposed defense evidence.

The Harrises plead guilty to kidnapping Hearst

Bill and Emily Harris pleaded guilty to kidnapping Hearst. They received sentences of ten years eight months to life.

President Carter commutes the federal sentence

President Jimmy Carter commuted Hearst’s federal sentence on January 29. She was released from prison on February 1, 1979.

An appeal orders hearings on counsel's alleged conflict

The Ninth Circuit partly vacated the denial of post-conviction relief and ordered hearings on three claims concerning F. Lee Bailey’s publication interests and trial decisions. It affirmed the remaining rulings.

President Clinton grants a pardon

President Bill Clinton granted Hearst a federal pardon on January 20, 2001, the final day of his presidency.

Armed abductors seize Hearst from her apartment

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.

1. At about 9 p.m., armed intruders came to the apartment and attacked Weed.
2. Hearst was carried outside and forced into a car trunk while the abductors fired shots during their departure.
3. The group removed her from Berkeley. Her later testimony described blindfolding, confinement in closets, threats, and sexual assault.

Shots at Mel's Sporting Goods help the Harrises escape

After William Harris was confronted over shoplifting at Mel’s Sporting Goods in Inglewood, Hearst fired toward the store from a vehicle outside. Hearst and the Harrises fled and took teenager Thomas Matthews with them.

1. Store staff confronted Harris during the attempted theft, leading to a struggle.
2. Hearst fired toward the store from outside, allowing the Harrises to get away.
3. The fugitives took Matthews and used a vehicle while escaping; his later testimony described their conduct.

A gun battle and fire kill six SLA members

Police surrounded an SLA house on East 54th Street in Los Angeles. A prolonged gun battle and fire killed six members, including Donald DeFreeze and William Wolfe. Hearst and the Harrises were elsewhere.

Myrna Opsahl is killed in a separate bank robbery

An SLA robbery at Crocker Bank in Carmichael killed Opsahl while she was depositing church collections. Hearst's later account and evidence concerning the remaining group became relevant to a prosecution pursued decades later.

The search ends with arrests in San Francisco

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.

The Harrises plead guilty to kidnapping Hearst

Bill and Emily Harris pleaded guilty to kidnapping Hearst. They received sentences of ten years eight months to life.

Four former SLA members plead guilty in the Opsahl case

William Harris, Emily Harris, Kathleen Soliah, also known as Sara Jane Olson, and Michael Bortin pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 1975 killing of Myrna Opsahl during the Carmichael bank robbery.

Sentences follow in the connected homicide case

The four defendants received prison terms for Opsahl’s murder. Emily Harris received eight years after acknowledging that she fired the fatal shot.

Shots at Mel's Sporting Goods help the Harrises escape

After William Harris was confronted over shoplifting at Mel’s Sporting Goods in Inglewood, Hearst fired toward the store from a vehicle outside. Hearst and the Harrises fled and took teenager Thomas Matthews with them.

1. Store staff confronted Harris during the attempted theft, leading to a struggle.
2. Hearst fired toward the store from outside, allowing the Harrises to get away.
3. The fugitives took Matthews and used a vehicle while escaping; his later testimony described their conduct.

A gun battle and fire kill six SLA members

Police surrounded an SLA house on East 54th Street in Los Angeles. A prolonged gun battle and fire killed six members, including Donald DeFreeze and William Wolfe. Hearst and the Harrises were elsewhere.

Myrna Opsahl is killed in a separate bank robbery

An SLA robbery at Crocker Bank in Carmichael killed Opsahl while she was depositing church collections. Hearst's later account and evidence concerning the remaining group became relevant to a prosecution pursued decades later.

The search ends with arrests in San Francisco

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.

The Harrises plead guilty to kidnapping Hearst

Bill and Emily Harris pleaded guilty to kidnapping Hearst. They received sentences of ten years eight months to life.

Four former SLA members plead guilty in the Opsahl case

William Harris, Emily Harris, Kathleen Soliah, also known as Sara Jane Olson, and Michael Bortin pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 1975 killing of Myrna Opsahl during the Carmichael bank robbery.

Sentences follow in the connected homicide case

The four defendants received prison terms for Opsahl’s murder. Emily Harris received eight years after acknowledging that she fired the fatal shot.

The SLA claims custody and threatens rescue attempts

A communiqué delivered to KPFA radio claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, described Hearst as a political prisoner and threatened to kill her if authorities attempted a rescue.

Recorded demands tie release to food distribution

A tape delivered to KPFA carried Hearst’s voice and DeFreeze’s demand that her family fund food distributions for people in need.

Bank cameras record Hearst during the Hibernia robbery

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.

1. Armed SLA members entered the branch and took control of employees and customers.
2. Bank security cameras recorded Hearst carrying a weapon; witnesses later described her actions inside the branch.
3. The robbers took bank funds and fled. Prosecutors later introduced the surveillance images and witness testimony at Hearst’s trial.

A gun battle and fire kill six SLA members

Police surrounded an SLA house on East 54th Street in Los Angeles. A prolonged gun battle and fire killed six members, including Donald DeFreeze and William Wolfe. Hearst and the Harrises were elsewhere.

Recorded demands tie release to food distribution

A tape delivered to KPFA carried Hearst’s voice and DeFreeze’s demand that her family fund food distributions for people in need.

The family establishes People in Need

Randolph Hearst committed approximately $2 million to a food-distribution program. The undertaking attempted to satisfy the captors' terms, but it did not secure his daughter's return.

1. The family announced People in Need to organize the food giveaway.
2. The SLA pressed for a larger commitment, demanding $6 million in the next recorded message.
3. Organizers prepared distributions while the family sought a release agreement; no release followed the initial commitment.

The first food giveaway breaks down

Crowding and disorder disrupted the first People in Need food distribution, with injuries and arrests reported. A second, better-organized distribution took place on February 28.

Armed abductors seize Hearst from her apartment

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.

1. At about 9 p.m., armed intruders came to the apartment and attacked Weed.
2. Hearst was carried outside and forced into a car trunk while the abductors fired shots during their departure.
3. The group removed her from Berkeley. Her later testimony described blindfolding, confinement in closets, threats, and sexual assault.

The search ends with arrests in San Francisco

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.

The federal robbery trial reaches opening proceedings

Jury selection, which began January 27, ended February 4. The prosecution presented the Hibernia surveillance images, recordings and evidence of Hearst’s later actions. The defense argued that she had acted under duress.

1. Prosecutors presented evidence of Hearst’s armed participation in the robbery and used recordings and subsequent actions to challenge her account.
2. Hearst testified about confinement, threats, sexual assault and fear for her life. Defense experts addressed the effects of coercion.
3. During cross-examination, Hearst invoked the Fifth Amendment in response to questions about later activities.
4. Judge Oliver Carter instructed the jury on the charged offenses and the duress defense.

The jury finds Hearst guilty

The jury convicted Hearst of federal bank-robbery and firearm offenses after hearing her duress defense.

The Ninth Circuit affirms the conviction

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the conviction, rejecting challenges involving the Tobin recording, the scope of cross-examination and the exclusion of proposed defense evidence.

An appeal orders hearings on counsel's alleged conflict

The Ninth Circuit partly vacated the denial of post-conviction relief and ordered hearings on three claims concerning F. Lee Bailey’s publication interests and trial decisions. It affirmed the remaining rulings.

The federal robbery trial reaches opening proceedings

Jury selection, which began January 27, ended February 4. The prosecution presented the Hibernia surveillance images, recordings and evidence of Hearst’s later actions. The defense argued that she had acted under duress.

1. Prosecutors presented evidence of Hearst’s armed participation in the robbery and used recordings and subsequent actions to challenge her account.
2. Hearst testified about confinement, threats, sexual assault and fear for her life. Defense experts addressed the effects of coercion.
3. During cross-examination, Hearst invoked the Fifth Amendment in response to questions about later activities.
4. Judge Oliver Carter instructed the jury on the charged offenses and the duress defense.

The Ninth Circuit affirms the conviction

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the conviction, rejecting challenges involving the Tobin recording, the scope of cross-examination and the exclusion of proposed defense evidence.

An appeal orders hearings on counsel's alleged conflict

The Ninth Circuit partly vacated the denial of post-conviction relief and ordered hearings on three claims concerning F. Lee Bailey’s publication interests and trial decisions. It affirmed the remaining rulings.

The federal robbery trial reaches opening proceedings

Jury selection, which began January 27, ended February 4. The prosecution presented the Hibernia surveillance images, recordings and evidence of Hearst’s later actions. The defense argued that she had acted under duress.

1. Prosecutors presented evidence of Hearst’s armed participation in the robbery and used recordings and subsequent actions to challenge her account.
2. Hearst testified about confinement, threats, sexual assault and fear for her life. Defense experts addressed the effects of coercion.
3. During cross-examination, Hearst invoked the Fifth Amendment in response to questions about later activities.
4. Judge Oliver Carter instructed the jury on the charged offenses and the duress defense.

The jury finds Hearst guilty

The jury convicted Hearst of federal bank-robbery and firearm offenses after hearing her duress defense.

The federal robbery trial reaches opening proceedings

Jury selection, which began January 27, ended February 4. The prosecution presented the Hibernia surveillance images, recordings and evidence of Hearst’s later actions. The defense argued that she had acted under duress.

1. Prosecutors presented evidence of Hearst’s armed participation in the robbery and used recordings and subsequent actions to challenge her account.
2. Hearst testified about confinement, threats, sexual assault and fear for her life. Defense experts addressed the effects of coercion.
3. During cross-examination, Hearst invoked the Fifth Amendment in response to questions about later activities.
4. Judge Oliver Carter instructed the jury on the charged offenses and the duress defense.

The final federal sentence is seven years

Judge William H. Orrick Jr. sentenced Hearst to seven years on the robbery count and two years on the firearm count, with the terms to run concurrently.

The federal robbery trial reaches opening proceedings

Jury selection, which began January 27, ended February 4. The prosecution presented the Hibernia surveillance images, recordings and evidence of Hearst’s later actions. The defense argued that she had acted under duress.

1. Prosecutors presented evidence of Hearst’s armed participation in the robbery and used recordings and subsequent actions to challenge her account.
2. Hearst testified about confinement, threats, sexual assault and fear for her life. Defense experts addressed the effects of coercion.
3. During cross-examination, Hearst invoked the Fifth Amendment in response to questions about later activities.
4. Judge Oliver Carter instructed the jury on the charged offenses and the duress defense.

The federal robbery trial reaches opening proceedings

Jury selection, which began January 27, ended February 4. The prosecution presented the Hibernia surveillance images, recordings and evidence of Hearst’s later actions. The defense argued that she had acted under duress.

1. Prosecutors presented evidence of Hearst’s armed participation in the robbery and used recordings and subsequent actions to challenge her account.
2. Hearst testified about confinement, threats, sexual assault and fear for her life. Defense experts addressed the effects of coercion.
3. During cross-examination, Hearst invoked the Fifth Amendment in response to questions about later activities.
4. Judge Oliver Carter instructed the jury on the charged offenses and the duress defense.

The federal robbery trial reaches opening proceedings

Jury selection, which began January 27, ended February 4. The prosecution presented the Hibernia surveillance images, recordings and evidence of Hearst’s later actions. The defense argued that she had acted under duress.

1. Prosecutors presented evidence of Hearst’s armed participation in the robbery and used recordings and subsequent actions to challenge her account.
2. Hearst testified about confinement, threats, sexual assault and fear for her life. Defense experts addressed the effects of coercion.
3. During cross-examination, Hearst invoked the Fifth Amendment in response to questions about later activities.
4. Judge Oliver Carter instructed the jury on the charged offenses and the duress defense.

A jail visit produces a contested recording

Jail officials recorded Hearst speaking to her friend Patricia Tobin through the visiting-room communication system. The recording became prosecution evidence and a major issue in later legal challenges.

1. Tobin visited Hearst two days after the arrest.
2. Officials monitored and recorded the conversation under the jail's security policy, later delivering it to investigators and prosecutors.
3. The defense sought suppression; portions were nevertheless used in cross-examination and read to the jury.

Shots at Mel's Sporting Goods help the Harrises escape

After William Harris was confronted over shoplifting at Mel’s Sporting Goods in Inglewood, Hearst fired toward the store from a vehicle outside. Hearst and the Harrises fled and took teenager Thomas Matthews with them.

1. Store staff confronted Harris during the attempted theft, leading to a struggle.
2. Hearst fired toward the store from outside, allowing the Harrises to get away.
3. The fugitives took Matthews and used a vehicle while escaping; his later testimony described their conduct.

A gun battle and fire kill six SLA members

Police surrounded an SLA house on East 54th Street in Los Angeles. A prolonged gun battle and fire killed six members, including Donald DeFreeze and William Wolfe. Hearst and the Harrises were elsewhere.

Myrna Opsahl is killed in a separate bank robbery

An SLA robbery at Crocker Bank in Carmichael killed Opsahl while she was depositing church collections. Hearst's later account and evidence concerning the remaining group became relevant to a prosecution pursued decades later.

Four former SLA members plead guilty in the Opsahl case

William Harris, Emily Harris, Kathleen Soliah, also known as Sara Jane Olson, and Michael Bortin pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 1975 killing of Myrna Opsahl during the Carmichael bank robbery.

Sentences follow in the connected homicide case

The four defendants received prison terms for Opsahl’s murder. Emily Harris received eight years after acknowledging that she fired the fatal shot.

Myrna Opsahl is killed in a separate bank robbery

An SLA robbery at Crocker Bank in Carmichael killed Opsahl while she was depositing church collections. Hearst's later account and evidence concerning the remaining group became relevant to a prosecution pursued decades later.

Four former SLA members plead guilty in the Opsahl case

William Harris, Emily Harris, Kathleen Soliah, also known as Sara Jane Olson, and Michael Bortin pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 1975 killing of Myrna Opsahl during the Carmichael bank robbery.

Sentences follow in the connected homicide case

The four defendants received prison terms for Opsahl’s murder. Emily Harris received eight years after acknowledging that she fired the fatal shot.