COURTTV.COM - TRIALS

KEY DOCUMENTS

The Crime

Olson is accused of rigging pipe bombs to the underside of two Los Angeles police cars. In these initial police reports, investigators detail the crime and some initial suspects. (Aug. 21, 1975)

The Grand Jury

List of Witnesses and Exhibits

Six months after the attempted bombings, L.A. prosecutors take the case to a grand jury. The first part of the transcript catalogues the 26 witnesses and 84 pieces of evidence evaluated by the panel. (Feb. 18, 1976)

The Photographer

The prosecution outlines its case and a freelance photographer testifies about Olson's speech at rally for six slain SLA soldiers. (Feb. 18, 1976)

The Pipe Salesmen

One plumbing supply employee, James Marshall, says Olson bought bomb components the day before the bombing. Two other salesmen recall similar dealings with an unidentified male customer. (Feb. 18, 1976)

The First Target

LAPD Officer James Bryan says he never noticed anyone planting a bomb under his cruiser while he and his partner dined at IHOP. The jury also hears from the customer who found the bomb. (Feb. 18, 1976)

The Second Target

A police officer says he found a second bomb under a car driven by a civilian LAPD employee who worked with gang youth. (Feb. 18, 1976)

The Safehouse

FBI agents testify they saw Olson at an SLA apartment in San Francisco and a later raid revealed a closet full of bomb-making supplies and guns. (Feb. 18, 1976)

Olson's Father

Martin Soliah briefly takes the stand to identify his daughter's picture. (Feb. 18, 1976)

Experts

An FBI bomb expert explains the construction of the bombs and compares them to materials found in the safehouse. Another agent says Olson's fingerprints were found in the apartment. (Feb. 18-19, 1976)

The Landlady

Vita Mele testifies that the Harrises rented the apartment under assumed names and Olson visited them there. (Feb. 19, 1976)

The Bomb Specialists

The LAPD officers who defused the bombs describe how the weapons were made. One bomb specialist concludes Bryan and the other officers would have been gravely injured if not killed had the bombs exploded. (Feb. 19, 1976)

Last Sighting

William Ozgood, an apartment super, testifies that Olson was painting units in his complex the day Patty Hearst was arrested. Shortly after the news was announced on the radio, he says, Olson disappeared. (Feb. 19, 1976)

Grand Jury Indicts

After hearing from the lead investigator in the case, the grand jury decides to indict. The indictment is sealed. (Feb. 19, 1976)

The Indictment

Olson Charged

Two charges of attempted murder top the five-count indictment which alleges Olson conspired with the Harrises and a third man — now identified as James Kilgore — to make, store and use the weapons. (Feb. 26, 1976)

The Law

California Statutes

Olson faces life in prison if convicted on these charges.

Capture

Warrant

Three months before agents tracked Olson to St. Paul, a federal judge issues an arrest warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. In an accompanying affidavit, an agent hints at what the FBI knows about the fugitive's new life. (March 25, 1999)

Bail Motion

After Olson was arrested and held without bail, her lawyers ask the judge to reconsider, citing her close ties in the community. The lawyers also discuss how the culture of the 1970s influences the case and lead to Olson's flight. (July 14, 1999)

Letters from Friends

To bolster Olson's chances for bail, friends and family wrote the court letters describing her personality and commitment to her family, church and community. (July 14, 1999)

The Prosecution's File

Trial Brief

Prosecutors Michael Latin and Eleanor Hunter outline their case against Olson and say she was a key member in the SLA conspiracy to overthrow the U.S. government. (Oct. 22, 1999)

New Eyewitness?

After Olson's arrest, Officer Bryan tells investigators for the first time that he saw her at the IHOP and she gave him a dirty look. (Nov. 9, 1999)

Opposition to Sept. 11 Continuance

Prosecutors ridicule Olson's claim that she can't get a fair trial in light of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. They say, "That assumption places little faith in the ability of our citizens to use their common sense." (Oct. 5, 2001)

State: '75 Searches Legal

Prosecutors argue that Olson can't contest the legality of searches of SLA safehouses and other sites because she had no personal expectation of privacy in those locations. (Oct. 11, 2001)

Defense of Handwriting Analysis

The prosecution, which plans to call on handwriting experts to testify Olson wrote certain documents, says such analysis is not a "junk science" as the defense contended. (Oct. 17, 2001)

Mailbox Search Legal

Prosecutors contend the FBI had probable cause and a valid warrant to open a package of bomb fuses addressed to what they say was an alias for Olson. (Oct. 17, 2001)

Warrant for Fuses

In this affidavit for a search warrant, an FBI agents writes that someone — Olson, according to prosecutors — had fuses for pipe bombs sent to a San Francisco mailbox. (Oct. 9, 1975)

Fingerprint Analysis Valid

Fingerprint analysis is well established and such evidence should be allowed at trial, the prosecution argues in this motion. (Oct. 17, 2001)

SLA Apartment Searches Legal

Prosecutors contend that searches of two San Francisco apartments immediately after the arrest of SLA soldiers Bill and Emily Harris were legal because of "exigent circumstances," including the continuing hunt for Patty Hearst and the possibility of violence by other SLA members. (Oct. 17, 2001)

Warrant for Apartment Search

In this affidavit for a search warrant, an FBI agent describes a cache of weapons at an SLA apartment. (Oct. 9, 1975)

The Defense File

Motion to Suppress Alleged Explosive

The defense says the San Francisco police illegally searched a city address and the prosecution should not be allowed to present evidence of an apparent bomb — "a pipe attached to a battery with wires sticking out" — to jurors. (Oct. 3, 2001)

Request for a Chain of Custody Hearing

Olson's lawyers say records of how and where evidence was stored is shoddy or nonexistent and they request a hearing concerning several key pieces of evidence. (Oct. 3, 2001)

Motion to Exclude Fingerprint Analysis

The defense suggests that a "recent sea change in scientific opinion about fingerprint identification" casts doubt on analysis and means the jury should not hear from fingerprint experts. (Oct. 3, 2001)

Motion to Suppress Car Evidence

Olson's lawyers say the FBI illegally searched a '67 Ford she and siblings Josephine and Steve used. The defense argues that because agents did not have a warrant, fingerprints inside the car should be excluded. (Oct. 3,2001)

Motion to Suppress Bomb-Making Equipment

The defense contends the jury should not hear about guns and bomb components found in 1975 in the San Francisco apartment where Olson and her sister allegedly lived. Her lawyers argue that under the law of the time officers needed a warrant before searching a padlocked closet. (Oct. 3, 2001)

Motion to Suppress Fingerprints

The defense contends the jury should not hear about fingerprints found in a Sacramento apartment allegedly used by the SLA. Olson's lawyers say FBI agents did not have a warrant to search the building in 1975. (Oct. 3, 2001)

Motion to Quash Indictment

Because Hispanics were excluded from the 1976 grand jury that indicted Olson, her indictment should be dismissed, the defense argues. (Oct. 3, 2001)

Motion to Suppress Guns

The defense contends the jury should not hear about carbines and a shotgun found in 1975 in the San Francisco apartment where Olson visited and Patty Hearst was arrested. Olson's lawyers argue that under the law at the time officers needed a warrant before searching a closet and bedroom where the weapons were found. (Oct. 3, 2001)

Motion to Suppress Fuses

The defense argues that the search of a San Francisco mailbox, which the prosecution says Olson rented in 1975 under an alias, was illegal because the FBI did not have a warrant. Olson's lawyers say the jury should never hear about 200 feet of fuse found in a package in the mailbox. (Oct. 3, 2001)

Motion to Exclude Handwriting Expert

The defense argues that an LAPD handwriting expert should not be allowed to testify that Olson wrote certain documents linking her to the SLA because handwriting analysis is "junk science." (Oct. 3, 2001)

Request for Continuance Due to Sept. 11

In this affidavit, Olson's attorney says her client cannot get a fair trial because of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 and asks jury selection be moved to January instead. (Oct. 3, 2001)

The Plea Deal

Motion to Withdraw Plea

After pleading guilty to two lesser counts, Olson changed her mind, saying, "I realize I cannot plead guilty when I know I am not." (Oct. 31, 2001)

Lawyer's Affidavit

Olson's lawyer says he coerced her into making her plea because he was afraid that Sept. 11 had created a climate in which she could not get a fair trial. (Nov. 26, 2001)

Lawyer's Apology

Olson's lawyer wrote this letter to the judge, apologize for missing Olson's hearing. He blamed his "karma." (Dec. 3, 2001)