Fifty years after the shocking kidnapping of Patty Hearst, new insights have emerged from one of the individuals involved in the crime.
William ‘Bill’ Harris, a former member of the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), has recently shed light on the harrowing details of this infamous case.
The Abduction of Patty Hearst
In 1974, Patty Hearst was a 19-year-old art history student at UC Berkeley.
Her life took a dark turn when two SLA members stormed her apartment, brutally attacking her fiancé and forcibly taking her.
Bound, gagged, and blindfolded, Hearst was shoved into the trunk of a Chevy Impala by Harris and his accomplices.
Hearst’s Unexpected Transformation
Harris, who was responsible for transporting Hearst on February 4, 1974, spent a year and a half evading capture while holding Hearst captive.
Surprisingly, Hearst’s loyalties shifted during her captivity.
In an unexpected twist, she aligned herself with her captors, even renouncing her affluent family and embracing the SLA’s radical ideology.
“I tried to convince her that staying with us was a bad idea,” Harris recalled.
“It didn’t make sense to me why she’d go from being an heiress to being targeted by the government.”
The SLA’s Motives and Plans
The SLA had initially kidnapped Hearst as a symbolic gesture, inspired by similar acts by Uruguayan Marxists, the Tupamaros.
They hoped to use Hearst as leverage to advance their revolutionary goals, including a potential prisoner swap.
However, their plans unraveled, and Hearst began to identify with the SLA’s cause.
Harris described how the SLA viewed Hearst as an easy target and a powerful symbol for their propaganda.
The group’s primary goal was to use Hearst to gain public attention and further their cause.
The SLA’s Actions and Hearst’s New Identity
The SLA’s use of Hearst as a bargaining chip took a dramatic turn when she began participating in their activities.
Her first major act of defiance was participating in the robbery of Hibernia Bank, an event that resulted in two injuries and significant media attention.
Hearst, who adopted the alias “Tania,” even appeared in a tape bragging about the heist.
A month later, Hearst’s loyalty to the SLA was further demonstrated when she took part in a violent confrontation involving Harris.
This act of allegiance led to the group’s downfall as law enforcement tracked them down.
The Fallout and Hearst’s Transformation
In the ensuing firefight with police, the SLA suffered heavy losses, and Hearst, along with Harris and his wife, narrowly escaped.
The group’s activities continued, including a bank robbery in Carmichael, which led to the tragic death of Myrna Opsahl.
The subsequent legal battles and Hearst’s shifting narratives—from a revolutionary to a victim of brainwashing—fueled public and legal scrutiny.
Legal Consequences and Public Reactions
Hearst was eventually captured in 1975 and faced trial in 1976, where she claimed she had been brainwashed by the SLA.
Her defense centered on accusations of rape by SLA members, which Harris continues to deny.
Hearst was convicted but served only two years of a seven-year sentence after her term was commuted by President Jimmy Carter.
Harris, who served about eight years for his crimes, has since retired and reflects on his past actions with a mix of regret and acceptance.
Meanwhile, the quest for justice for Myrna Opsahl continued, leading to guilty pleas from SLA members, including Harris, in 2002.
Reflections on Justice and Redemption
Today, both Hearst and Harris have moved on with their lives.
Hearst has authored a memoir and acted in films, while Harris has retired in San Francisco.
The pursuit of justice for the SLA’s crimes has continued, with public pressure playing a key role in holding those responsible accountable.
Jon Opsahl, Myrna Opsahl’s son, has expressed a surprising level of empathy towards Hearst, acknowledging the trauma she endured.
The case remains a complex and poignant chapter in American history, highlighting the enduring impact of radical ideologies and the quest for justice.