.jpg)
It started with a loaf of homemade bread. That’s the detail people usually forget when they talk about the case of Richard Farley and Laura Black. In 1984, Farley was a 35-year-old software technician at ESL Inc. in Sunnyvale, California. Laura was 22, fresh out of college, and just starting her career as an engineer. Farley saw her and decided, instantly, that they were meant to be together.
He didn't know her. She definitely didn't know him. But for the next four years, that didn't matter to Richard Farley.
The Four-Year Shadow
Most people think of stalking as something that happens in the dark, but Farley did it in the fluorescent light of a Silicon Valley office. He left gifts on her desk. He sent her over 200 letters. When she moved to a new apartment to escape him, he found her. He moved when she moved. Four times. He even joined her aerobics class just so he could be in the same room.
Laura tried everything. She was "cordial" at first, hoping he’d take a hint. He didn't. She told him "no." He ignored it. She went to HR. They told him to go to counseling.
Honestly, the system back then just wasn't built for this. In the mid-80s, stalking wasn't even a specific crime in California. If someone wasn't physically hitting you, the police basically told you their hands were tied. ESL eventually fired Farley in 1986 because his work was slipping and he started threatening other employees, but getting him out of the building didn't stop him. It just gave him more time to obsess.
"Pieces of Paper Do Not Stop Bullets"
By early 1988, Laura Black was terrified. Farley had sent a package to her lawyer claiming they had a secret, long-term relationship—a complete fabrication. She finally filed for a temporary restraining order.
🔗 Read more: When is the Next Hurricane Coming 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
The court date to make that order permanent was set for February 17, 1988.
The day before that hearing, February 16, Richard Farley drove his motorhome into the ESL parking lot. He wasn't there to talk. He had a literal arsenal with him: a shotgun, a rifle, several handguns, and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition. He weighted himself down with so much gear he looked like he was heading into a war zone.
He shot his way through the glass doors. He killed Wayne "Buddy" Williams Jr. first, right at his desk. Then he moved through the halls, picking off former coworkers. When he reached Laura’s office, she tried to slam the door. He fired through it. The slug hit her shoulder, collapsed a lung, and left her unconscious on the floor.
Farley didn't stop there. He kept shooting, killing seven people in total and wounding four others. He eventually surrendered after a five-hour standoff, but only after the police bought him a sandwich and a soda.
The very next day, a judge made the restraining order permanent. It was a hollow gesture. Family Court Commissioner Lois Kittle famously cried while saying, "Pieces of paper do not stop bullets."
💡 You might also like: What Really Happened With Trump Revoking Mayorkas Secret Service Protection
Why the Case of Richard Farley and Laura Black Changed Everything
This wasn't just another workplace shooting. It was a catalyst. People realized that the law was failing victims of obsession.
- Stalking Laws: This case is a huge reason why California passed the first anti-stalking law in the United States in 1990.
- Workplace Security: Companies began to realize that "troubled" former employees were a massive security risk, leading to the modern badge-access systems we see today.
- The "Paper" Problem: It highlighted the dangerous gap between a legal warning and physical protection.
Farley was sentenced to death in 1991. You’d think that would be the end of the story, but it’s 2026 and he’s still alive. He’s 77 now, sitting in the California Health Care Facility in Stockton.
The 2025 Resentencing Drama
Just recently, this case blew up again in the news. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen tried to have Farley’s death sentence commuted to life without parole. He argued it was about "finality" and ending the endless appeals process.
The survivors and the families of the victims were absolutely livid.
They showed up in court in March 2025. Dozens of them. They talked about the trauma that hasn't gone away in nearly 40 years. One survivor, Max Mancini, spoke about the guilt of watching his coworkers die while he lived. Wendy Williams, whose brother was killed, talked about how she still can't sleep without an alarm system.
📖 Related: Franklin D Roosevelt Civil Rights Record: Why It Is Way More Complicated Than You Think
In a rare move, Judge Benjamin Williams denied the DA’s request. He said there was no evidence Farley was remorseful or any less dangerous than he was in 1988. So, the death sentence stands, even though California currently has a moratorium on executions.
Actionable Insights for Personal and Workplace Safety
The story of Richard Farley and Laura Black is a grim reminder that persistence isn't always a virtue—sometimes it’s a red flag. If you are dealing with unwanted attention, experts suggest a few specific steps:
- Document everything immediately. Don't throw away letters or delete weird emails. You need a paper trail for the police.
- Cease all contact. Don't "be nice." Don't try to explain your feelings. Any response, even a negative one, reinforces the stalker's behavior.
- Involve your employer early. Workplace violence often stems from domestic or obsessive situations. Your company’s security team needs to know who to look for.
- Trust your gut. Laura Black knew she was in danger long before the shooting. If a situation feels "off," it is.
The legacy of this case isn't just the tragedy at ESL; it's the fact that we now have the vocabulary and the legal tools to name "stalking" for what it is: a precursor to violence.
Next Steps for Legal Awareness
Check your local state statutes regarding stalking and harassment. Many states have updated these laws as recently as 2024 to include "cyberstalking" and GPS tracking, which weren't even concepts when Laura Black was fighting for her life. Understanding the specific threshold for a "credible threat" in your jurisdiction is the first step in using the law as a shield.