Patty Hearst's 1974 bank robbery remains to be one of the most shocking events in American history. After nearly five decades after Hearst's kidnapping, her story continues to gain interest from the public and circulating in the media. Hearst was kidnapped after group members who identified themselves as Symbionese Liberation Army threatened her and her boyfriend with firearms in Berkeley, California. The group was a terrorist organization whose aim was to destroy the capitalist state and incite war against the US government.
After a couple of months in captivity, Hearst would later become a gang member and engage in criminal activities such as robbing a bank in San Francisco. It is, however, unclear whether she did so willingly or was compelled by the gang. Some claim that she may have been suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. These events led her to denounce her family and commit to the values of SLA. Some claim that the group may have brainwashed her to join them. Hearst was later arrested in 1975 in San Francisco, where she was tried and charged for her crimes (PBS NewsHour, 2016). She was sentenced to seven years in prison when the jury found her guilty. However, the sentence was commuted by President Carter and later pardoned by President Clinton.
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This paper aims to investigate forensic psychology's role in the case of Patty Hearst's bank robbery. The paper will analyze the offender's profile, the relationship between the offender and the victims, eyewitnesses, jury selection, jury deliberation, interrogative techniques, and the influence of local and international laws on the case.
The Offender Profile
Patty Hearst was born on February 20, 1954, in San Francisco, California, to Randolph Apperson Hearst and Catherine Wood Campbell. She was five feet and three inches tall, weighing one hundred and ten pounds (FBI.gov, n.d.). She had light brown hair and brown eyes with a fair complexion. She was American by nationality and white by race. She had a mole on her mouth's lower right corner and a scar near the right ankle. She attended Crystal Springs School, Santa Catalina School, Menlo College. At the time of the crime, Hearst was a nineteen-year-old college student at the University of California, Berkeley. Hearst came from a wealthy background since she was the granddaughter of American publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst. While working with the robbers, she used the alias name, Tania. One of Hearst's roles with the group was to make improvised explosive devices.
Forensic psychology was used in identifying Patty Hearst's mental and personality characteristics. Forensic psychology was used to determine whether robbery was linked to Hearst's personality or simply part of her lifestyle. It was also used to evaluate and interpret evidence to link Hearst to where the crime was committed.
If I had been conducting the case, I would have wanted to know if there were any SLA group members on the UC Berkeley campus and why the SLA was after her. I would also want to know why Hearst was kidnapped, and her fiancé was left. From the prolife, I would want to know if the family made any efforts to rescue their daughter, such as paying the ransom. I would have concluded differently that she decided to join the group, yet she was a hostage and also among the SLA group leaders.
The Relationship Between the Offender and The Victims
The relationship between Hearst and her family in terms of proximity to home was near. Hearst, her family, and SLA were all from California. All three were located and operated between San Francisco and Berkeley. The duration of stalking between the group and Hearst was less than two years, that is, for the period she joined college. It took her two months after joining the group to criticize her roots and denounce her biological family. In terms of the method of homicide, the group were murders and robbers with violence. Hearst was captured, pointing a gun at a bank employee and assisting SLA members in robbing the bank. During the early months with the group, Hearth was subjected to sexual violence with DeFreeze, the group's leader (Wang, 2018). Whenever SLA robbed anything, the female victims always feared being raped or sexually assault committed to them.
Forensic psychology was used to identify that the relationship between most of the members of the gang happens to be the same. Forensic psychology was also used to determine why certain individuals like Hearst committed particular crimes such as robbery. Forensic psychology was used to trace the behavioral and psychological evidence and link a victim to an offender.
If I were conducting the case, I would have wanted to know the level of exposure involved. I would want to know the amount of time Hearst and SLA made the victims frightened and feel anxious. I think that the case should have provided the reason why the group mostly focused on the banks. If there were some vengeance between the SLA members and the victims they targeted, I would have inquired about other victims captured by SLA and checked if any group members had a romantic relationship with the victims.
Eye Witnesses
Eden Shea
Profile
When Patty Hearst and her SLA gang robbed the Hibernia Bank, Eden Shea was on duty as a security guard. His residency was on 2100 Grant Street in San Francisco (Linder, n.d.). During the trial, he had changed occupation to be the manager of an apartment house. He acted as a witness to testify during Hearst's trial.
Testimony
He testified that he saw two men and two females armed with weapons on the day of the robbery in the doorway of the bank and then suddenly split into groups of two. When he was given photographs to identify the suspects, he immediately identified one of them. He said that one of the male robbers when to the safe deposit and threatened a girl named Sharon Zicanese to get out. He also said that he was asked to lie on the floor. He testified that it was Hearst who had been pointing weapons at them as the others were robbing.
Fullmer
He was a bank attendant during the time of the attack.
Testimony
He testified that he was standing watching a performance when one of the robbers pointed a weapon at him (Linder, n.d.). He also testified that one of the robbers threatened to kill them if they tried to raise their head where he was asked to lie down on the floor.
Forensic psychology was used to determine the eyewitness who could help identify the criminals. Forensic psychology was used to interview the witnesses concerning memories associated with the crime. Through forensic psychology, perpetrators of the event were able to be identified. If I were involved, I would demand more witnesses to the case and not just two. I would have ensured that a witness at least identified every suspect. However, I disagree with the idea of forcefully asking someone to be witnesses. They should do so willingly.
Jury Selection
The jury selection for Patty Hearst's trial was initially comprised of thirty-six individuals, but the number was reduced to sixteen after the defense and prosecution's final challenges. Out of the sixteen, only twelve were regular jurors while four were acted as alternates (The New York Times, 1976). Of the twelve regular jurors, eleven were white, while one was a native Hawaiian. All of them came from surrounding cities, excluding two who were from San Francisco. Before being selected, all the jurors had made clear to the judge that they had not heard the case. The age of the jurors was between twenty-four and fifty-five, with most of them being around forty. In terms of party affiliation, three were republicans, five were democrats, and four were not affiliated with any political party. There were five men and seven women, with eight being married and five having children.
Forensic psychology was used to match Hearst's case with the juror's life experience and the value system; that is why the median age was forty. Forensic psychology was also used to select jurors from the same region and equal political affiliations, which is important in how they behave. Forensic psychologists must understand how the jurors will view the case.
I do not agree with the idea of selecting jurors from the same region. If I had conducted the case, I would select jurors from all over the country as some may have better knowledge in handling the case. Also, not including a person of color as a juror, yet some gang members were black, was a mistake.
Jury Deliberation
After hours of deliberation, the verdict finally came. Hearst was pronounced guilty for the use of armed robbery and firearms to commit a felony. Even though most jurors ended their session in tears, most of them believed that Hearst was lying (Linder, 2007). One of the jurors claimed that Hearst's attorney had tried to bribe him. Most of the jurors were not pleased with Hearst's use of the phrase 'I plead the Fifth.' The jurors claimed that there was overwhelming evidence against her, and they were obliged to take a vote of conviction. In fact, before the deliberations, three of the jurors had already considered her guilty since her story was unbelievable. The jurors also claimed that the decision to convict Hearst was one of the hardest that they had ever made in their lifetime.
Forensic psychology was used to make the jurors remember and interpret evidence. The juries provided a practical way of examining theoretical issues associated with judgment and decision-making using forensic psychology. Forensic psychology also played a role in generating trial procedures where jurors benefitted from the fair procedures.
If I were involved in the case, I would make sure that juries are given ample time and space to make sound judgment instead of being bribed like Hearst's attorney. I disagree with the juror's idea that Hearst was lying all through, and instead, jurors should have heard her without prejudice. If I were in charge of the trial, I would have conducted the trial in the morning when the juror's decisions are still not influenced by anything.
Interrogative Techniques
There were multiple interrogation techniques applied during Hearst's trial, including suggestibility, deception, pride, and ego-up technique. Interrogators were seeking to increase how Hearst was willing to accept and act on their suggestions. Sleep deprivation and exposure to white noise were some of the methods used to obtain information from Hearst. The deception was another technique used where interrogators lied to Hearst about a possible term reduction to less than five years since she was not originally part of the gang. For pride and ego up technique, Hearst was given compliments and flattery about how brave she had been to disconnect herself from the family that did not care about her being kidnapped to reveal her dark side.
Forensic psychology was used to elicit a confession from Hearst without the need to use physical force. Forensic psychology helped the police in Hearts, case to determine ways of how best to interview her. Also, forensic psychology helped reduce Hearts' jail term to seven years because of the true information she had presented in the techniques.
I do not agree with the idea of lying to someone to reveal their information as it is taking advantage of the suspect's vulnerable position. I believe that Hearts should have been given space to say anything she had to offer. If I were involved in this case, I would have interrogated her in a private place free from interference so that she can reveal true information.
Influence of Local and International Laws
Local laws stipulate that if criminals are caught, they will be punished. Hearst understood that if she were found guilty, she would be punished, that is, a jail sentence. However, criminals know little about laws, and they may not understand the enormity of the crime. Hearst was a college student, and she never understood what it meant to be sentenced (Krassner, 2014) . On the other hand, International law seeks to prevent crimes that cross borders. Federal regulations also helped to shape the structure and quality of policing throughout the country during the period. This ensured that Hearst and her accomplices received fair treatment before being tried in the court. Hearst's SLA was increasing influence not only in the US but also on Mexico's border and was need to stop the perpetrators.
Forensic psychology was used to train and evaluate every person working in the police custody to provide the necessary care that Hearst needed. In this case, forensic psychology was used to determine Hearst and her colleagues' state of mind before appearing in court. Through forensic psychology, Hearst was taught what a jail sentence was supposed to mean and how to cope with it for the few years in prison.
I would not have reduced Hearst's initial sentence from thirty-five to seven years since they committed a crime, sometimes murdering innocent citizens, which I against the law. Criminal offenses will continue to persist if an offense is made less serious. I would have also encouraged the issue of a life sentence for anyone found guilty of committing murder.
Conclusion
Patty Hearst's 1974 bank robbery teaches us incredible lessons that apply nearly five decades later. One cannot engage in criminal activities and expect the support of their family. Hearst's family sidelined her because she had denounced them and engaged in activities that contradicted family values. Everyone should be aware that no one who commits a crime will go unpunished. Some people may be lucky to get their sentences reduced, but most of the time, the law's full force applies. Jurors cannot save anyone no matter their social class in the family because they will always put the law before anyone else.
Forensic psychology has played a significant role in investigations, assessments, expert witness courtroom testimony, consultations, and treatment programs implementation. Police and governments (both state and federal) rely on forensic psychologists' knowledge to make their next moves in dealing with criminals. However, it is the responsibility of both ordinary citizens and the government to be vigilant of any groups associate with terrorists so that they can be stopped before they span out of control, therefore, minimizing the number of lives lost and punishments made.
References
FBI.gov (n.d.). Patty Hearst . Federal Bureau of Investigation. https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/patty-hearst
Krassner, P. (2014). Patty Hearst & The Twinkie Murders: A Tale of Two Trials . Pm Press. https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=AxRMBAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=local+laws+used+in+patty+hearst+trial&ots=Fwh7oN6BCc&sig=fnhbXOvzP_hNGfID6t1Rf-s9f7Q&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
Linder, D.O. (2007). Patty Hearst Trial (1976). http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/hearst/hearstdolaccount.html
Linder, D.O. (n.d.). Testimony of Eden Shea in the Patty Hearst Trail . Famous Trials. https://famous-trials.com/pattyhearst/2214-sheatestimony
PBS NewsHour. (2016, August 5). When the Victim Becomes the Criminal: A Fresh Look at The Story of Patty Hearst . PBS NewsHour. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/victim-becomes-criminal-fresh-look-story-patty-hearst
Schreiber, B. (2016). Revolution's End: The Patty Hearst Kidnapping, Mind Control, and the Secret History of Donald DeFreeze and the SLA . Skyhorse. https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Pf-LDAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT7&dq=interrogative+techniques+used+in+patty+hearst+trial&ots=lF_jbsbU-G&sig=TwfDx5ugtVGNX6w9WI_GIbIwRwQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=interrogative%20techniques%20used%20in%20patty%20hearst%20trial&f=false
The New York Times (1976, February 5). Seven Women on the Jury Selected for Hearst Trial. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1976/02/05/archives/seven-women-on-the-jury-selected-for-hearst-trial.html
Wang, K. (2018, March 11). The puzzling case of Patty Hearst: Investigating the mystery behind Stockholm syndrome . The Daily Californian. https://www.dailycal.org/2018/03/11/puzzling-case-patty-hearstinvestigating-mystery-behind-stockholm-syndrome/
