Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) Patricia Hearst's release from prison noted.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds

(Hillsborough, California) Hearst's release from prison noted; President Carter's commutation of sentence she was serving on conviction for bank robbery participation with SLA reported [HEARST - tells reporters she has commutation paper.] Hearst's return to mother's home with fiance Bernard Shaw and attorney shown. Presence of William Randolph Hearst mentioned. Patricia's plans outlined. [HEARST - comments on experiences.] Photo session with Shaw cited. [HEARST - dressed for occasion; is happy.] Carter noted to have commuted Hearst's sentence, not pardoned her; her plans to appeal conviction reported.
REPORTER: Ken Kashiwahara (KGO newstape)

(Studio) Background on Hearst and her kidnapping by SLA, participation in San Francisco bank and Los Angeles sporting goods store robberies with SLA and her later arrest and conviction on bank robbery chgs. given. Photos and films shown. Her imprisonment last May at Pleasanton, California, after Supreme Court refusal to hear appeal noted. May, 1974, shoot-out and fire in Los Angeles, in which 6 SLA members were killed, recalled. Mvt. to obtain Hearst's release described; effect of Guyana incident and brainwashing connected with it on Hearst case reported President Carter's action earlier in wk. mentioned. Reporter's past interviews with Hearst, include recent phone conversation, outlined; tape of telephone call played. [HEARST - comments on Carter's action.]
REPORTER: Barbara Walters