Case library · Trial of the Century
The Kidnapped Heiress Bank Robbery
United States v. Hearst (1977)
Charge: Armed bank robbery and using a firearm during the robberyCourt: U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit (from N.D. California)State: CaliforniaDocket: Trial of the Century
The facts
A young woman from a wealthy family was kidnapped by an armed radical group. About two months later, bank cameras filmed her with the group robbing a bank, carrying a gun. She was charged with armed bank robbery. She says the group beat and abused her, questioned her for weeks, and told her she would be killed unless she took part. The prosecution points to things she said and did with the group after the robbery, when no one was holding a gun to her. Did she act of her own free will?
You have the facts the court had. Guilty or not guilty? Call it in the game with your friends, then see what the court actually decided. Wrong call, you drink.
Citation: United States v. Hearst, 563 F.2d 1331 (9th Cir. 1977)
Read more at law.justia.com. The source reveals the outcome.