Gone was the gloating, the crowing, the preening vulgarity. 2023 Alternative Considerations of Jonestown & Peoples Temple, Alternative Considerations of Jonestown and Peoples Temple is a, 25th Anniversary Reflections and Observations. Lets just be done with it.. Larry Layton's Post Larry Layton reposted this Report this post Report Report. "Please don't go with him," he begged; it would look very bad if his oldest followers abandoned him now. Yet Larry knew nothing of the plot, which was hatched by Jones and others at the same time, to kill Ryan and others at the airport where they were gathered to leave. The government of Guyana forbade the burying of Jonestowns dead in the country, and Carter recalls how cemetery after cemetery in the U.S. also refused them. Are you people gonna leave us I just beg you. It wasnt suicide, it was murder. Carter and his brother Michael, also a Temple member, called their fatherthe only family they had left. The so-called "Death Tape," as his final speech became known, runs for 44 minutes, and includes more than 30 edits where Jones stopped and started the recording, presumably to censor voices or sounds he didn't want on the tape for posterity. Kohl was long committed to social justice issues before hooking up with the Peoples Temple. The group established a commune and three businesses to support themselves: a restaurant, and two retail stores selling tourist souvenirs. In the end, she says, she has undergone her own religious awakening of sorts, no longer needing a spiritual go-between in her religious life. He remembers the scene as very ugly, and kind of terrifying. "What do you intend to do now?" Im sure Im a deeper person, a more compassionate person, than I wouldve been otherwise.. It's just a little bitter tasting. When enforcers from the Temple began contacting Sadies relatives in an effort to track her down, she disappeared, forced underground. It took a few weeks for authorities to arrange transportation home for the survivors, who were scheduled to beinterrogated by the FBIwhen they got back to the United States. Two teenagers jumped up and managed to shut the heavy door but were shot in the legs. At the same time, if all I knew about the story was only what I had read in the papers, Im sure I would be feeling the same way.. Her actions were calm and deliberate. I had a head full of stuff that was no longer relevant to the world we lived in, says Gosney, now 61. The police department didnt know quite what to make of me, he says. Sadie stayed anywhere she could, as long as she could do so anonymously; Howard later discovered that this usually meant homeless shelters, but her precise location was always a secret. It was the same when she later moved to Los Angeles in the early 1970s, and a cousin introduced her to the Peoples Temple. In the 1978 Jonestown massacre, more than 900 Americans drank a poisonous cocktail laced with deadly cyanide. Here, in their own words, are some of the people who made it out alive. The journalists arrived from their Port Kaituma lodgings mid-morning, angry that the Temple dump truck was two hours late retrieving them. The government theory during the first U.S. trial in the U.S. was that Larry knew of the plot to kill Ryan and that he was involved in it. He was to use the skill when the flock made its planned migration to the Guyana settlement, which Jones already had picked out and named Jonestown. On arriving, Carter gathered all the local newspapers he could, and realized he had been on the front page 29 out of the past 30 days. Pearl left for Jonestown in August 1978. The next afternoon, Ryan planned to fly home from a nearby jungle airstrip with Gosney, Bagby, and 14 other member-defectors. I could see the parallels., The Jonestown experience still strikes Laura Kohl as somewhat surreal, as she describes a group of very bright, well-intentioned people who all got pulled into this labyrinth of insanity., I began to see Larry as someone who was more like me, [rather] than someone who shot me. This was really something new. Good Entry level salary. I just wanted to be free, and that was my way of doing it., It showed me that you can be really, really smart, really, really dedicated, have [the] best motives in world, but it doesnt really matter. Layton himself was initially charged with murder, but the criminal trials he faced in the years that followed were for conspiracy to murder and for the wounding of two Jonestown defectors, Vernon Gosney and Monica Bagby. High-pitched, terrified screams. According to her niece, Lela Howard, the Temples cult-like aspects were not yet apparent to Sadie; she embraced it with the same fervour as she did the church of her youth. He had left Mark, his five-year-old son, behind at the colony, planning to come back for him later. On Jonestown's final night, she was the only person Jones recorded objecting to his macabre plan. This is why Larry was wrongfully imprisoned. The newsmen protestedthey had deadlines to meet. "Put it all together," Ryan said. Justin Rohrlich is an Emmy Award-winning journalist. [I] did a lot of kicking around, focusing on the gurus who were big back then, looking for a teacher or a master, he says, though they all left him cold. When he encountered Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple, he felt something different. There was a huge abscess. No one had never heard a non-minority talking about the troubles of being black in America before, Howard explains. Larry Layton, who posed as a defector, was captured after badly wounding two people inside a plane trying to take off. So many that I didnt bother to count. Ryan volunteered to stay behind to negotiate the matter. When I found Jim Jones, I thought he was going to be my protector, Kohl says. They harassed her by phone, and when she stopped taking their calls, they showed up at her L.A. home. Almost all records are either cables generated by the U.S. State Department and its embassies particularly in Georgetown but also other Caribbean and South American countries or serials generated by the FBI and its field offices, notably in San Francisco, during its RYMUR investigation. Laurence (Larry) Layton was a member of Peoples Temple and Jonestown resident who participated in the attack at the Port Kaituma airstrip on November 18, 1978, that resulted in the deaths of Rep. Leo Ryan and four others. He has twice attempted suicide and says old friendseven decades laterhave refused any contact. Gerry Gouveia, a commercial pilot, directs grass-clearing at the remote airstrip where gunmen ambushed and killed U.S. Rep. Leo Ryan and four others on Nov. 18, 1978. Justin Rohrlich is an Emmy Award-winning journalist. What I want people to know is that Larry was not guilty of the charges against him. Anyone who has any dissenting opinion, please speak," Jones said. Harris then pulled out Gosney's note and handed it to the Temple leader. Since Larry tried to effect that conspiracy by attempting to kill people at the airstrip, according to the theory, he was part of that conspiracy, as were the persons who actually killed Ryan. It argued that there was an overarching conspiracy in the works at Jonestown, a conspiracy that was designed keep the world from knowing about the conditions at the compound. Despite attempts to rekindle their relationship, the answer is always the same: Dont call us anymore., They have no idea who I am as a person, but they think they know who the fuck I am based on articles theyve read, Carter says. My aunt was listed as #71-E on the body bag, Howard says. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Though reports of faked healings and coercive behaviour within the temple were bringing it under increasing scrutiny, several prominent politicians publicly lent it their support, including San Francisco mayor George Moscone, assemblyman Harvey Milk, and California governor Jerry Brown. "There's nothing to worry about," one of Jones' aides told the crowd. When Stephan was informed of his fathers plan, he refused to go along with it, and managed to convince those at the office to follow himexcept for Sharon Amos, who sequestered herself in a bathroom and slit her three childrens throats before ending her own life. The myth was that Jim Jones had taken a trunk of money and was hiding somewhere in Russia, says Howard. And so, about a year after joining the Peoples Temple, she cut ties. There were seven people in her party. "People play games, friend," Jones said. He lives in New York City. He left no final note. He moved to Jonestown in March 1978, inspired by Joness vision of a colour-blind, socialist utopia in the Guyanese jungle. The corpses sat at a military base in Dover, Delaware, for five months, before Evergreen Cemetery in Oakland, thanks to mounting political pressure from a group of pastors in the Bay Area, finally agreed to accept them. I had to start dealing with my life, my sons death, and I hooked up with these folks that were in the healing arts who were starting an ashram in Maui. Four defectors boarded the Cessna after him. The system decided it should be Larry Layton, because everyone else who could have been held accountable was dead. "Die with a degree of dignity," Jones chided them. Though it called itself a church, Carter saw the temple as a kind of political movement. Howard says Pearl was promised shed be able to adopt one if she moved to Jonestown. Theyre not god, theyre just people.. Jonestown made me realize that the people up there in the pulpit are just human beings, and we should not have so much adoration for them, and worship and follow pastors. I looked out the window and said, Theyre killing everybody! says Gosney. Larry Layton Senior Director, Franchise Operations . Sadie died in 2013. Almost immediately, Jones ordered Layton to Jonestown. With a person like me, theres a lot of maintenance and care and healing that needed to be done to get to the place that Im at. [Warning: this audio, from what is known as the Death Tape, contains scenes that many may find distressing], Audio courtesy of the Jonestown Institute. First summary of Kaituma events indicate defectors didnt trust Layton, Reporter Ron Javers describes Layton role in Port Kaituma shooting, Temple defector Phil Kerns describes Layton as psycho, Jones hit man, Temple defector Ruth Kerns states Layton gave them firearms training, Layton among four survivors detained in Georgetown jail, State Situation Report 13 notes that Layton will be arraigned, Death record for Lisa Layton lists Larry Layton as next-of-kin, Guyana immigration records includes name of Laurence Layton, Airstrip survivors claim Layton was not defector, used concealed weapon, State Situation Report 14 notes that Layton has been arrested and charged, Layton charged with murder and remanded to prison, State Department briefing of 11/22 notes Layton arrest, possible extradition to US, Layton charged with murder of Ryan and intent to murder three others, Temple defector Joyce Shaw lists Layton as among Temples enforcers, State Situation Report 21 notes that Layton trial date set for January 15, 1979, FBI reports no criminal record for Chuck Beikman and Larry Layton, SF & St. Louis FBI tasked with investigating Layton and Beikman, Lionel Luckhoo declines to take Layton criminal case, Laytons father asks if relatives can visit, Weapon used by Layton with police in Georgetown, Mark Lane describes Laytons departure with Ryans party on November 18, Airstrip survivor Carol Houston Boyd describes Laytons actions, Dwyer report on CODEL attack discusses Laytons role, Reporter Tim Reiterman describes Laytons actions on Kaituma airstrip, Investigation of Layton will include interviews with father, brother, Unidentified former member says Layton among Angels tasked as hit men, NBC producer Bob Flick claims Layton insisted in being on single-engine plane, Edith Parks claims Layton killed Ryan and others, List of survivors includes Layton as one of two arrestees, New Jersey psychiatrist reports airstrip survivors claim Layton was plant, Richard Clark claims Layton was on silent weapons squad, Unnamed former member says Layton was on inner-core council, Survivor Beatrice Orsot Grubbs describes Layton as weird and too quiet, Layton to be permitted visits from family, Interview with Vern Gosney, wounded by Layton, Airstrip survivor Beverly Oliver describes Laytons actions, Airstrip survivor Bob Flick describes Laytons actions, Dale Parks called as witness in Layton preliminary hearing, Harold Cordell testifies at Layton inquest, FBI Report includes statements on Layton by Temple survivors in Georgetown, FBI interviews with 12 Temple members include several descriptions of Laytons action, Former member Jeannette Kerns says Layton was on PT Security Force, Juanita Bogue testifies in Layton inquiry, Neville Annibourne testifies in Layton inquiry, Detailed descriptive data furnished for Layton, Several witnesses testify in Layton inquiry, Sherwin Harris identifies Layton among those who are dangerous and bear watching, Reporter Ron Javers describes Laytons actions on Kaituma airstrip, James Bogue refers to Layton as one of Jones undercover guys, Interview with Monica Bagby, wounded by Layton, Brenda Parks describes actions of Layton on plane at Kaituma airstrip, Jerry Parks describes Laytons actions on Kaituma airstrip, Dale Parks describes actions of Layton on plane at Kaituma airstrip, Edith Bogue describes actions of Layton on plane at Kaituma airstrip, Tracy Parks describes Layton firing gun inside plane at Kaituma airstrip, Question on visiting Larry Layton in prison, Georgetown prison policies on contacts with prisoners, Question on visits to prisoners in Guyana, Report compiles interviews with survivors of Port Kaituma, Layton shootings, Layton charged with violation of Congressional Assassination Stature, GOG imposes guidelines, restrictions on FBI interviewing survivors, Embassy works on guidelines for visiting Layton, Layton family sets up account for Larry in jail, Review of NBC footage includes several shots of Layton, FBI narrative of Port Kaituma airstrip attack sent to Guyana police, Dr. Layton responds to sons questions from Georgetown jail, Dr. Layton forwards money to son in Georgetown jail, Embassy answers to committees questions include Laytons gun, McKay urges judge in Layton trial to recuse self, Charges dismissed against Layton in Guyana, Grand jury indicts Layton with assassination and conspiracy, Grand jury lists unindicted co-conspirators, all dead in Guyana, Date for second preliminary inquiry for Layton not yet scheduled, Layton attorney in US asks for assistance, Refusal of witnesses to return to Guyana threatens Layton trial, Guyana government open to idea of deporting Layton for prosecution in US, FBI reports on grand Jury, talks with GOG, Alleged US-Guyana prisoner exchange may include Layton, No Date Fixed Yet for New Preliminary Inquiry in Layton Case, FBI outlines summary of evidence against Layton for GOG, Embassy to allow events run their course in Layton trial in Guyana, Odell Rhodes report Jones claim that Larry blamed Debbie for mothers death, San Francisco office submits synopsis of evidence against Layton to FBI-HQ, US Attorney in San Francisco wants to interview Layton in Guyana, US AG reluctant to seek extradition absent compelling convincing evidence, Justice considers whether Layton can be interviewed in Guyana without attorney, Meeting between Justice and State on Layton inconclusive, SF outlines evidence against Layton to pass along to AG, US will encourage Guyana to pursue charges against Layton in that country, Embassy reports results of conversation with Skip Roberts re: Layton confession, Guyana has change of heart, will likely prosecute Layton, US officials seek to encourage Jonestown survivors to testify against Layton, Embassy discusses Layton legal proceedings with GOG, Embassy has copy of Layton written confession, Request for Vern Gosney and Odell Rhodes to return to Guyana for Layton trial, Two Temple witnesses due to arrive for Layton trial, Second day of preliminary hearing feature Gosney and Rhodes testimony, Fourth day of preliminary hearing in Layton trial; Secret Service check, Efforts underway to persuade Dale Parks to return to Guyana for testimony, Third day of preliminary hearing features medical testimony, Report on three witnesses at Layton prosecution, Parks had requested FBI agent to accompany him, Background paper on Layton case to be prepared for media, Layton trial delayed due to witness unavailability, US to consult with GOG authorities in Layton trial, Embassy talks to Layton about treatment, conditions, Guyana indictment against Layton relates only to Gosney, Bagby shooting, Layton trial tentatively scheduled for April 1, Money placed in Layton account for expenses, Gosney willing to travel to Guyana with FBI agent accompaniment, FBI authorizes agent to travel with Gosney, Rhodes, Presence of Dale Parks not needed at Layton trial, Travel of FBI, witnesses to Guyana for Layton trial, Prosecutor will use only Gosney in Layton trial, Trial delayed until May 5, Layton to plead not guilty, Trial date delayed, request for agent to accompany witnesses to be renewed, FBI agent and US attorney will attend Layton trial, Guyana requests Gosney, not Rhodes, for Layton trial, Judge in Layton trial agrees that GOG has case against defendant, Day 3 of Layton trial features Gosney testimony, Judge in Layton trial allows confession into evidence, Day 7 of Layton trial features testimony of Guyanese officials, Day 8 of Layton trial features testimony of rural constable, Day 9 of Layton trial features testimony of Hardat Sukhdeo, Day 10 of Layton trial features testimony of three defense witnesses, Defense counsel makes closing arguments on Day 11 of Layton trial, Embassy promises info on possible Layton release, Complaint against Layton forwarded to embassy, State offers advice on handling money in Layton account, Layton expresses anxiety about resolution of case, San Francisco seeks status of Layton passport, Embassy visits Layton in prison, presses GOG on disposition of case, US Attorney seeks interviews with reporters at Port Kaituma airstrip, FBI considers request for agents to assist in Layton deportation, GOG will take no further action on Layton, FBI authorizes travel of agents to assist in Layton deportation, Layton will not receive passport from US, may need escort from Guyana, Trinidad government concerned about Layton layover, Trinidad govt to be notified of Layton transit through airport, Layton will travel to US with his attorney, Layton preparations to depart Guyana with FBI agents underway, Layton may be detained in Guyana until lawyer paid, Layton expelled from Guyana (erroneous report), PanAm reports someone wants to board plane to see Larry Layton, Layton did not depart Guyana, pending resolution of payment to lawyers, Status of Larry Layton (from San Francisco), Guyana court to consider merits of financial claim against Layton, Federal indictment of Layton made available, Hearing fails to conclude claims against Layton for fees, US Attorney to fly to Guyana to meet with Guyana counterpart, Embassy visits Layton in prison, prepares travel docs, US agencies discuss transporting of Layton from Guyana, Layton agrees that he owes Guyanese lawyer, Restraining order against Larry Layton dismissed in Guyana, Restriction on Layton leaving country is lifted, Guyana seeks expulsion at earliest possible date, Layton to be accompanied by marshals, but not in custody, US Marshals Service assumes responsibility in transporting Layton, Layton will not be in US Marshal custody on flight, Embassy stresses importance of not revealing Layton travel plans, Layton transfer for US prosecution delayed, Layton on board plane with three marshals, US Attorney office seeks contact with Hardat Sukhdeo, Layton trial date set, Guyana witnesses sought, Annotations to arrest form for Larry Layton, FBI says defense attorney made false, inaccurate and inflammatory statements re: tapes, Court order on physical evidence held in Guyana for use in Layton trial, Arrangements made to obtain physical evidence requested by FBI, Layton defense team seeks interview with Guyana witnesses, Layton attorney in US asks GOG for statements of witnesses, Layton attorney in US obtains docs from GOG, State tells Layton lawyer to make own arrangements for transporting docs, Statement of Larry Layton (Retransmittal of, Defense attorney seeks witness statements from Guyana, US Attorney subpoenas Ron Javers, Harold Cordell, State offers assistance to Layton defense, Guyana police suggests names of witnesses for US trial, US Attorney seeks clarification from Guyana response on several issues, Embassies in Georgetown, San Juan will work with FBI and GOG to provide witnesses, Listing of Guyanese witnesses in Layton trial, U.S. Embassy sends photos, transcripts to US for use in Layton trial, Layton trial delayed until August 14, 1981, FBI says no investigation of Layton before 11/18, DOJ providing security clearances for trial, Government rests case, defense expected to call 48 witnesses, Layton defense rests without calling witnesses, Layton defense declines to reconsider decision, Layton jury deadlocks, judge declares mistrial, Judge denies motion to dismiss indictment, Judge postpones date for motions in retrial, Judge denies government motions, will be appealed, Court of Appeals to hear arguments on evidence, Court of Appeals decision on evidence pending, Court of Appeals reverses trial judge, allows tapes, Appeals Court denies defense motion for en banc, Appeals court denies defense motion for stay pending SC appeal, New trial date set; request for prosecution to travel to Guyana, New prosecution team will handle Layton case, Prosecution seeks Layton medical records from Guyana, Appeals court hearing on governments motion to admit tape, Appeals court upholds decision to deny admission of death tape, New trial date set for September 18, 1986, US alerts Guyanese witnesses of schedule to testify, FBI requests additional money for expenses for witnesses, Detailed description of tapes to be used in trial, Accomplishment report on Layton conviction, U.S. rejects appeal; Privacy Exemption no longer needed.