Podcasts > Last Podcast On The Left > Episode 581: Patty Hearst Part IV - The Missing Year

Episode 581: Patty Hearst Part IV - The Missing Year

By Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski

This episode of Last Podcast On The Left dives into the harrowing story of Patty Hearst's kidnapping and coercion by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), an extremist group determined to violently overthrow the government. The SLA subjected Hearst to intense psychological manipulation, coercing her into participating in criminal activities like armed bank robberies.

The hosts examine the SLA's history of bombings and violent crimes, including the murder of an innocent bystander. They also detail Hearst's trial and her ultimately unsuccessful "brainwashing" defense, which sparked debate around personal responsibility under coercion. The episode covers Hearst's aftermath: her imprisonment, her eventual acting career with John Waters, and the resolution for the SLA's remaining members.

Listen to the original

Episode 581: Patty Hearst Part IV - The Missing Year

This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jul 12, 2024 episode of the Last Podcast On The Left

Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.

Episode 581: Patty Hearst Part IV - The Missing Year

1-Page Summary

Patty Hearst's Kidnapping and Captivity

Patty Hearst was kidnapped from her Berkeley apartment in a violent ordeal that subjected her to intense psychological manipulation by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA). Marcus Parks notes the similarities between her experience and that of POWs undergoing mental reprogramming. She was forced to constantly relocate, living in a constant state of captivity and control as the SLA sought recruits.

Coerced Participation in SLA Crimes

The SLA coerced Patty into participating in their criminal activities, including armed bank robberies which they broadcast as evidence of her "revolutionary" conversion. Her faltering belief in their cause was evident in depressed recordings. Ultimately, she took part in bank heists like the Crocker robbery, her life far removed from normalcy.

The SLA's History and Violent Activities

The SLA was an extremist group led by the unstable "Field Marshal" Sing, seeking violent government overthrow. Despite initial ineptitude, they engaged in bombings and murdered an innocent bystander during a bank robbery. Their infamous showdown with police saw members killed in a fiery shootout after barricading themselves.

Arrested for the Hibernia robbery, Patty claimed brainwashing by the SLA diminished her culpability. Renowned psychologists testified on the SLA's coercive tactics, but this unique defense failed to convince the court. Hearst was found guilty and sentenced to 7 years, though she maintained unwilling involvement. President Carter later commuted her sentence.

Aftermath and Impacts

After imprisonment, Patty reclaimed her identity and eventually launched an acting career with director John Waters, who supported her during the trial. Remaining SLA members faced belated convictions for crimes like murder. Patty's case sparked debate around personal responsibility under coercion.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • Explore the psychological impact of coercion by journaling your thoughts after watching a movie or reading a book with similar themes. Write down how the characters' actions might have been influenced by their circumstances, and reflect on how this could apply to understanding real-life situations of coercion.
  • Educate yourself on the legal and psychological aspects of coercion by attending a free online webinar or course. Look for resources offered by universities or legal advocacy groups that cover topics like criminal psychology, the legal definition of coercion, and its implications in the justice system.
  • Develop empathy for those who have experienced manipulation by volunteering with organizations that support victims of coercion, such as domestic violence shelters or hotlines. Engaging with real-life stories can provide a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding personal responsibility under duress.

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
Episode 581: Patty Hearst Part IV - The Missing Year

Patty Hearst's kidnapping and captivity with the SLA

Patty Hearst's ordeal began with a violent kidnapping from her Berkeley apartment, marking the start of a controversial chapter in American history. Her time with the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) left her under intense psychological pressure that would later raise questions about coercion and free will.

Patty Hearst was violently kidnapped from her apartment in Berkeley and held captive by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA)

The SLA kidnapped Patty Hearst and subjected her to a harrowing series of psychological manipulations aimed at converting her into a revolutionary. Marcus Parks notes the similarities between Patty's psychological state and that of American POWs who underwent intense manipulation, suggesting that her experience with the SLA was akin to a mental reprogramming. During her 591 days of captivity, she believed she was about to be shot by the FBI at the time of the raid—a clear reflection of the level of fear and control under which she lived.

The SLA subjected Patty to intense psychological manipulation, including isolation, threats, and radical indoctrination tactics, in an effort to convert her into a revolutionary

Patty, along with SLA members the Harrises, was forced to constantly relocate, often wearing the same clothes, indicating an environment of unrelenting captivity and control. The SLA aimed to recruit members for a second iteration of the group, perpetuating a cycle of captivity and recruitment.

The SLA engaged in a series of high-profile criminal activities, including bank robberies and bombings, with Patty participating after being coerced

Patty was forced to participate in an armed bank robbery with the SLA, which they broadcast as evidence of her new "revolutionary" identity

The narrative of Patty Hearst's involvement with the SLA unfolds through indirect mentions of her participation in criminal activities. Her role in the bank robberies, often as a driver, was perceived as something within her capabilities due to her small stature. Meanwhile, the SLA escalated their acti ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

Patty Hearst's kidnapping and captivity with the SLA

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • The extent to which Patty Hearst was subjected to psychological manipulation and whether it was sufficient to excuse her criminal actions is a matter of legal and psychological debate.
  • The idea that Patty was coerced into participating in criminal activities with the SLA could be challenged by the argument that she had opportunities to leave or seek help but did not.
  • The notion that her small stature made her involvement in criminal activities more plausible could be seen as a stereotype and not necessarily indicative of her capabilities or willingness to participate.
  • The claim that Patty's belief in the SLA's cause faltered could be countered by the argument that any signs of faltering belief could have been a survival strategy rather than a genuine change of heart.
  • The role of Patty as a switch car driver in the Crocker National Bank robbe ...

Actionables

  • You can explore the psychological impact of coercion by journaling your thoughts and feelings after watching a movie or reading a book with similar themes. Write down how you perceive the characters' actions and decisions when they are under duress, and reflect on how coercion can alter someone's behavior. For example, after watching "The Experiment," note your emotional responses to the characters' transformations due to the simulated prison environment.
  • Develop critical thinking skills by analyzing news articles or historical events that involve indoctrination or psychological manipulation. Identify the tactics used and consider alternative ways the individuals could have responded. For instance, when reading about a cult's influence on its members, list the methods of indoctrination and brainstorm strategies that individuals might use to resist such manipulation.
  • Enhance your und ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
Episode 581: Patty Hearst Part IV - The Missing Year

The history and activities of the SLA

The SLA, an extremist left-wing group led by the charismatic "Field Marshal" Sing, sought to overthrow the US government using violent means but eventually met a tragic and violent end.

The SLA was an extremist left-wing group that sought to overthrow the US government through violent means

The SLA, characterized as disorganized and needing to actively look for resources, was known for stockpiling ammunition without a steady supply. The group attempted to transition into a genuine ultra-left political group, despite its original ineptitude. Their leader, known as General Field Marshal Tico, had a past injury from a touch football game in Vietnam, identifiable by a surgical scar.

The SLA was led by the charismatic but unstable "Field Marshal" Sing, who promoted a delusional revolutionary ideology

"Field Marshal" Sing, also known as Donald Defreeze, was the unstable and delusional leader of the SLA. The circumstances of his death, with a high concentration of smoke in his lungs and a shot to his temple, suggest that he committed suicide in a "Hitlerian ecstasy" during the final standoff with the police, making him the last to die in the loaded and fiery collapse of their hideout.

The SLA engaged in a series of brazen and disorganized criminal acts, including the murder of an innocent bystander during a bank robbery

The SLA's criminal activities included a series of bombings, a murder during a bank robbery, and a string of robberies. The murder of Myra Opchell, who was killed by member Yolanda Harris, demonstrated the group's capacity for violence and disregard for innocent life. This event led to the SLA's infamy, with the news describing the heist as an "SLA style robbery." The group's violent tendencies continued during a shootout in Compton, with the original events leading to a series of violent confrontations with police.

The SLA's crimes and the dramatic shoo ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

The history and activities of the SLA

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can analyze the effectiveness of group communication by starting a book club focused on historical events or groups. By discussing the organizational structures and outcomes of different groups in history, you'll gain insights into how leadership and organization impact success. For example, choose a book about a well-known historical group, and after reading, discuss as a club what made their strategies effective or ineffective.
  • Enhance your critical thinking skills by writing fictional short stories that explore the consequences of disorganization and extremism. This creative exercise allows you to explore complex themes and the human element behind historical events, similar to those mentioned, without needing to be an expert. For instance, create characters based on a disorganized group and narrate the fallout of their actions on their lives and society.
  • Improve your personal decision-making by ke ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
Episode 581: Patty Hearst Part IV - The Missing Year

Patty Hearst's trial and legal defenses

Patty Hearst's trial unveiled a complex legal battle involving claims of brainwashing and diminished culpability. Hearst faced charges for the Hibernia bank robbery but argued that she had been coerced by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA).

Patty was arrested and charged with the Hibernia bank robbery, despite her claims that she had been brainwashed by the SLA

Patty Hearst was apprehended and charged for her participation in a Hibernia Bank robbery on April 15, 1974. During her arrest, Hearst presented a clenched fist salute and identified herself as an "Urban Gorilla," which seemed to show an acceptance of her role within the SLA. Her lawyers contended that the psychological manipulation by the SLA was so extensive that it amounted to brainwashing, which should reduce her culpability. Renowned psychologists Dr. Louis Jolyon West and Dr. Martin Orne, both familiar with MK-Ultra experiments, testified on the psychological effects of the SLA's treatment on Hearst, aimed at demonstrating her lack of free will during the crimes.

The brainwashing defense was a unique strategy; however, it failed to convince the court of Hearst's non-complicity. The prosecution's approach was direct, showcasing evidence of Hearst actively partaking in the robbery and her confession. They also highlighted her subsequent actions which included possibilities for escape yet remained unexecuted, suggesting she was not under the duress the defense described.

Patty was found guilty and sentenced to 7 years in prison, though she maintained that she did not willingly participate in the SLA's crimes

Doubts about Patty Hearst's brainwashing defense culminated in a guilty verdict. The prosecution undermined the brainwashing argument with transcr ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

Patty Hearst's trial and legal defenses

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • The concept of brainwashing is scientifically contentious and lacks a clear definition, which could undermine the credibility of the defense's argument.
  • Patty Hearst's initial identification with the SLA and her actions during the robbery could be seen as evidence of voluntary participation, challenging the claim of diminished culpability.
  • The failure of the brainwashing defense might reflect the jury's skepticism about psychological defenses in general, rather than the specifics of Hearst's case.
  • The commutation of Patty Hearst's sentence by President Carter could be interpreted as a political or humanitarian gesture rather than an endorsement of her legal defense or a comment on her level of agency.
  • The ongoing debate about Patty's agency and responsibility could be influenced by br ...

Actionables

  • Explore the concept of coercion and its legal implications by reading about different legal defenses used in high-profile cases. This will give you a broader understanding of how psychological states can impact personal responsibility. For example, you might look into cases like the trial of Lorena Bobbitt or the "Twinkie defense" used by Dan White to see how psychological claims are presented and received in court.
  • Develop critical thinking skills by practicing how to evaluate arguments from multiple perspectives. Start by reading a controversial news article and write down arguments from both sides. Then, challenge yourself to debate each side's viewpoint. This exercise can sharpen your ability to assess situations where the line between victim and perpetrator is blurred, much like in the Patty Hearst case.
  • Engage i ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
Episode 581: Patty Hearst Part IV - The Missing Year

The aftermath and long-term impacts of Patty Hearst's involvement with the SLA

Reclaiming Identity

After her involvement with the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) and subsequent imprisonment, Patty Hearst transitioned away from the revolutionary persona "Tania" and reclaimed her identity as Patty Hearst. She moved into an apartment with individuals who treated her as a human being and started to piece her life back together. Patty married her bodyguard in 1979 and by 1982 had written "Every Secret Thing," her account of her ordeal, which later premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

Patty's New Chapter

Meeting director John Waters at the film festival, who had attended her trial and was a staunch supporter, marked the beginning of Patty Hearst's successful acting career. Waters cast her in his film "Cry Baby," and she went on to appear in five of his movies. Alongside acting, Patty openly discussed her time with the SLA, even joking about it with Waters, and engaged in philanthropic work, particularly related to children's causes in Congressman Leo Ryan's name. Adding another feather to her cap, Patty won the Westminster dog show with a shih tzu named Rocket.

The remaining SLA members, particularly Bill and Emily Harris, faced justice after years. As the only ones left from the Compton shootout, their revolutionary fervor was heightened by the loss of their comrades. During the "missing year" after the shootout, Patty was embroiled in more criminal activities with the SLA. Eventually, the Harrises served only six years for kidnapping Hearst.

Later Convictions and Legacy

It wasn't until 2002 that Bill and Emily Harris, along with Michael Borton and Kat ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

The aftermath and long-term impacts of Patty Hearst's involvement with the SLA

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • The notion that Patty Hearst completely reclaimed her identity after her involvement with the SLA could be challenged by arguing that such a traumatic experience inevitably leaves lasting effects, and one's identity may be permanently altered as a result.
  • While Patty Hearst's rebuilding of her life is portrayed positively, some may argue that her wealth and social status played a significant role in her ability to move on and find success, a luxury not available to all victims of coercion.
  • Patty Hearst's successful acting career, facilitated by her meeting with John Waters, might be critiqued as being influenced by her notoriety and the public's fascination with her past, rather than solely on acting talent.
  • The philanthropic work Patty Hearst engaged in could be seen by some as an attempt to rehabilitate her public image rather than purely altruistic motives.
  • The legal reckoning for the SLA members, particularly the Harrises, might be criticized for the length of time it took to bring them to justice, suggesting a failure of the legal system.
  • The six-year sentence served by the Harrises for k ...

Actionables

  • Explore your own narrative by writing a personal memoir, focusing on transformative events in your life and how you've evolved from them. Writing about your experiences can help you understand your past actions and current identity, much like someone reflecting on a significant life change. Start with short journal entries about key moments that shaped you and consider how they connect to who you are today.
  • Engage in a new hobby or activity that contrasts with your usual interests to experience personal growth and self-discovery. Just as someone might find a new passion later in life, you can sign up for a class or join a local group that's outside your comfort zone, like pottery, coding, or dance. This can help you uncover hidden talents or interests and contribute to a more multifaceted sense of self.
  • Volunteer for a cause that resonates with you ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free

Create Summaries for anything on the web

Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser

Shortform Extension CTA