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Which Way, L.A.?

Jon Opsahl's 27-Year Wait for SLA Murder Charges

After being sentenced to a lengthy prison term for trying to blow up police cars in 1975, former Symbionese Liberation Army member Sara Jane Olson has pleaded innocent to first-degree murder charges in the 1975 killing of Myrna Opsahl. The mother of four was delivering church receipts to a Sacramento-area bank when it was held up by the SLA. It was Olson's arrest last March in the LA conspiracy case that gave new momentum to investigators of the Sacramento murder and bank robbery. Jon Opsahl was 15 when his mother was killed. Now, twenty-seven years later, he expresses relief that the alleged killers will be finally brought to justice. Newsmaker: Sara Jane Olson Sentenced to 20 Years to Life Yesterday, Sara Jane Olson was booked on first-degree murder charges stemming from a 1975 robbery of a Carmichael bank. Today, she received a sentence of 20 years to life-in-prison for conspiring to blow up LA police cars, also in 1975. Dan Whitcomb, of Reuters News Service, says the court proceedings included a tearful apology and emotional testimony by family and intended victims. Reporter's Notebook: Orna Porat, The First Lady of Israeli Theater Olga Porat, Israel's first lady of stage and screen, began life as Irene Klein. The daughter of German-Protestant parents, she was an enthusiastic member of Germany's Hitler youth. The extraordinary actress recounts her youth, her love affair with Israel, and her devotion to peace between her adopted homeland and Palestinian neighbors.

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By Warren Olney • Jan 18, 2002 • 1 min read

After being sentenced to a lengthy prison term for trying to blow up police cars in 1975, former Symbionese Liberation Army member Sara Jane Olson has pleaded innocent to first-degree murder charges in the 1975 killing of Myrna Opsahl. The mother of four was delivering church receipts to a Sacramento-area bank when it was held up by the SLA. It was Olson's arrest last March in the LA conspiracy case that gave new momentum to investigators of the Sacramento murder and bank robbery. Jon Opsahl was 15 when his mother was killed. Now, twenty-seven years later, he expresses relief that the alleged killers will be finally brought to justice.

  • Newsmaker:

    Sara Jane Olson Sentenced to 20 Years to Life

    Yesterday, Sara Jane Olson was booked on first-degree murder charges stemming from a 1975 robbery of a Carmichael bank. Today, she received a sentence of 20 years to life-in-prison for conspiring to blow up LA police cars, also in 1975. Dan Whitcomb, of Reuters News Service, says the court proceedings included a tearful apology and emotional testimony by family and intended victims.

  • Reporter's Notebook:

    Orna Porat, The First Lady of Israeli Theater

    Olga Porat, Israel's first lady of stage and screen, began life as Irene Klein. The daughter of German-Protestant parents, she was an enthusiastic member of Germany's Hitler youth. The extraordinary actress recounts her youth, her love affair with Israel, and her devotion to peace between her adopted homeland and Palestinian neighbors.

Reuters News Service

Opsahl Family Website

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Frances Anderton

    architecture critic and author

    News
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