Lectures in History Geri Spieler on Housewife Assassin: The True Story Behind a Suburban Double Life
Nov 23, 2025
Geri Spieler, an author and journalist, delves into the life of Sara Jane Moore, who attempted to assassinate President Ford in 1975. Geri shares her firsthand experiences meeting Moore in prison and details the shocking demeanor she exhibited. The conversation explores Moore's radical connections, motivations behind her actions, and her complex personal life, including multiple marriages. Geri also reveals FBI insights suggesting Moore acted as a double agent, shedding light on the tangled web of radical movements and agency failures surrounding this historical moment.
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The Art Collection Conflict
- Geri collected and stored about 50 pieces of Moore's art after Moore's arrest and struggled to return them.
- Moore later accused Geri of stealing, forcing Geri to notarize and legally document returning the collection.
Agencies Withheld Key Facts
- FBI and Secret Service initially downplayed Moore's threat and misled the public about the danger.
- Geri's interviews with agents revealed withheld facts and internal failures in agency coordination.
Double Agent And The Profile Shift
- Moore was both groomed by a radical group (Tribal Thumb) and used by the FBI, making her a double agent.
- Her case forced agencies to discard narrow assassin profiles and treat anyone in a crowd as a potential threat.
