Patty Hearst, survivor of a tragedy and trauma, discusses the aftermath of the house fire that killed members of the SLA, the numerous trials, and where everyone ends up in the years following. The podcast covers topics such as gender identity, Midwestern food delights, reflections on relationships and ideology, Mike Borden's desire for revolutionary acts, Patty's mother's strange Christmas message, joining the Witness Protection Program, support for the SLA, the trial and argument of brainwashing, and the complicated legacy of Patty Hearst.
Patty Hearst and the SLA underwent a transformation from victim to willing participants in revolutionary activities, raising questions about her accountability.
The aftermath of the SLA saw the death of Merna Opsahl during a bank robbery and Patty's eventual pardon by President Bill Clinton, highlighting the role of privilege and power in shaping the narrative.
Patty Hearst's actions with the SLA demonstrate the consequences of using violence as a form of power, causing harm to others, including the murder of Merna Opsahl.
The podcast examines the complex legacy of Patty Hearst, questioning accountability as she sought a pardon and a clean record despite already receiving a commutation of her sentence.
The media's romanticization of Patty Hearst's story and the influence of wealth and power in the criminal justice system are critiqued.
Deep dives
The aftermath and escape
After the shootout and fire, Bill, Emily, and Patty lay low before heading back to Berkeley. They find support from friends who offer shelter and financial assistance. Patty releases a final communicate to memorialize the fallen SLA members. The group explores the possibility of writing a book but ultimately decides against it. Jack Scott helps Patty escape to the East Coast, and the rest of the group soon follows. They find refuge in a rented farmhouse in Pennsylvania, where they engage in therapy and self-reflection. Patty forms a bond with Wendy Yoshimura, another fugitive accomplice. Eventually, a new team is formed consisting of Patty, Emily, Jim Kilgore, Kathy Solaya, Steve Solaya, Josephine Solaya, and Mike Borden.
The new phase of the SLA
The group, now lacking original members, attempts to carry out revolutionary acts. However, their activities seem more like a social club rather than a functioning revolutionary organization. The new team is based in Sacramento and continues to search for opportunities to make a statement. Despite the SLA being technically dissolved, they are united by their revolutionary beliefs.
The excitable Mike Borden and LSD
One of the members, Mike Borden, is known for his excitable personality. Bill recounts a conversation where Mike expressed a desire to carry out an operation while under the influence of LSD. This mindset reflects the radical and sometimes erratic nature of the group during this phase.
Discovery and Capture of SLA Members
After a year and a half on the run, Patty Hearst and other members of the SLA are captured by the FBI. Patty's radical transformation is evident as she expresses her changed political views and faces the reality of her situation in custody.
Defense Team and Trial Preparation
Patty Hearst receives a high-profile defense team consisting of F. Lee Bailey and Al Johnson. The defense team aims to de-radicalize Patty and distance her from her SLA involvement. However, Patty's loyalty to her former comrades is tested as she expresses conflicting emotions towards her lawyers.
Brainwashing Allegations and Shifts in Patty's Attitude
There is a tension between the defense team and Patty Hearst, with each side blaming the other for her radicalization. Patty is accused of being brainwashed by her lawyers and psych team, while she believes she has been manipulated by her defense team and is still loyal to her radical ideals. Patty's gradual shift back to her privileged life is evident as she becomes more interested in trivial activities like painting her nails and crocheting in prison.
The Trial and Defense Strategy
Patty Hearst's trial begins, with her defense team arguing that she had no volition and had been brainwashed by the SLA. They use the concept of 'persuasive corrosion' as a defense, as Stockholm Syndrome is not officially recognized. However, the prosecution challenges this claim, presenting evidence that Patty willingly participated in crimes even when she was no longer with the SLA. The defense makes the mistake of putting Patty on the stand, where she pleads the Fifth Amendment 42 times, raising doubts about her credibility. She is found guilty of the Hibernia Bank robbery and sentenced to seven years, but is released on bail pending appeal.
Plea Deal and Sentencing
Patty Hearst's co-defendants, Bill and Emily, are sentenced to six years for the Mel sporting goods store shooting. In a separate plea deal, Patty pleads no contest to the kidnapping charges and receives a five-year probation with no jail time. The Hearst family's influence and wealth likely played a role in reducing her sentence. The privilege she previously rejected as an urban gorilla now protects her, highlighting the double standards at play. The Carmichael Bank robbery charges are dropped in exchange for Patty providing information to the FBI under immunity from prosecution.
Summary of the Patty Hearst Podcast Episode
This podcast episode delves into the complex and controversial story of Patty Hearst, who was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) in 1974. The first main idea explored is the transformation of Patty from a victim to a willing participant in the SLA's activities, such as bank robberies and bombings. Despite claiming to be manipulated and brainwashed, Patty's actions raised questions about her level of accountability. The second main idea delves into the aftermath of the SLA, including the death of Merna Opsahl during a bank robbery and the eventual pardon of Patty by President Bill Clinton. The podcast discusses the implications of privilege and power in shaping the narrative of this high-profile case.
The Complex Legacy of Patty Hearst
This episode explores the long-lasting impacts and complicated legacy of Patty Hearst. It highlights the privilege she possessed in using violence as a form of power during her time with the SLA. While she faced trauma and manipulation, her actions also caused harm to others, including the murder of Merna Opsahl. The podcast raises questions about accountability, as Patty later sought a pardon and a clean record, despite already receiving a commutation of her sentence. It critiques the media's role in romanticizing her story and the consequences of wealth and power in the criminal justice system.
Patty Hearst, Part 2. After witnessing the death of your friends, what do you do next? And where do you go? How does tragedy and trauma shape and reshape Patty Hearst's life. And what does innocence, guilt, and justice look like when the crazy ride finally comes to an end?
This episode covers everything after the house fire which tragically kills many of the members of the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) through present day. We discuss the intricacies of the numerous trials of Patricia Hearst, Bill Harris, and Emily Harris and then see where everyone ends up in the years following.
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