THE ASSAILANT: MAKING OF A MISFIT

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Moore's abrasiveness soon got her into trouble in the Hearst food-giveaway program. "She has an amazing ability to move right in and drive everybody crazy," recalled Steven Weed, Patty's former fiance, who worked at PIN. Finally, Moore was evicted from PIN. "We marched her out of the office, screaming and crying, with two men holding her arms," recalled another PIN worker.

By then, however, she had already established a connection with the Hearst family. While at PIN, she had struck up a friendship with Wilbert ("Popeye") Jackson, the black ex-convict who had formed the United Prisoners Union, dedicated to advancing prison reform. (He was gunned down in San Francisco on June 8 by unknown assassins.) Popeye, hinting at contacts with the S.L.A., approached Randolph Hearst with an offer to intercede for Patty's release. Sensing an opportunity, Moore managed to become the go-between in the dealings. It was a role that caught the attention of FBI agents, who thought she might provide useful information. According to her account (see box), the FBI hired her in the spring of 1974 and gave her a code name and control officer.

Sara Jane hung around the U.P.U. offices, answering phones and trying to ingratiate herself. But Popeye's blatant sexual activities offended her sensibilities. She also grew weary of being conned for money by him and got angry when he damaged her auto. She decided he was not sincere about trying to help free Patty. Her verdict: "He did what he wanted to, and to hell with the rest of the world."

The FBI assigned Moore a new target: a still unidentified radical leader whom she called Tom.

Soon, under Tom's tutelage, she found herself increasingly attracted to Maoist and Marxist ideas. She attended movies, discussions and seminars, often dragging along her son. Finally, she asked to join Tom's study group, and as an earnest of her sincerity, told Tom about her role as an FBI informant. Tom replied that while he believed her conversion, he would have to take the matter up with his colleagues. She recollected: "I was afraid of Tom's group, and I was afraid of the bureau if they found out I told Tom."

Word of Moore's FBI connection spread through the radical community, and she was ostracized. Whenever she attended meetings, she was surrounded by a circle of empty seats. She sought to counteract her alienation by making a full confession of her past links to the FBI. To reporters, radio interviewers and anyone else who would listen, she would pour forth self-criticism and expound on Marxist and Maoist theories. Whereupon both the FBI and the radicals dropped her entirely. Still longing for the thrills of clandestine work, she cultivated ties with San Francisco police, who in turn put her in touch with the Treasury Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Moore became fearful that she would be killed either by the FBI or vengeful radicals. "My life is in danger," she would say. "I know how to use a gun because I had military training, but if they want you they can surprise you at any time." She also was suffering more and more from a feeling of isolation, and becoming more and more nervous and overwrought.