September 17th, 1996. Geraldo Rivera on his namesake talk show hosts Patricia Hearst after recounting her kidnapping and extraordinary story.
“…and people really just accepted anything, in terms of propaganda, that the terrorists put out as absolutely true and took it at face value.”
After a few minutes recapping the events of 1974-1975, time Patty spent with the Symbionese Liberation Army, Patty recounts her version of events and what it has been like. She claims to remember the kidnappers and horrific experiences but tries not to.
Patty Hearst, of a wealthy family, was kidnapped and held for ransom in 1974. The case generated high publicity and then took an interesting turn where Patty released tapes in support of the kidnappers, and was caught committing crimes with them. She was eventually caught and sentenced to extended jail time, with the sentence later commuted by president Jimmy Carter. In total she served 2 years in jail and was officially pardoned by president Bill Clinton.
This day, Geraldo’s television history.