[Editorial notes: This document was transcribed by Rikke Wittendorf. The editors of this website are grateful for her invaluable assistance.
[This document was released by the FBI as part of its investigation of the assassination of Leo Ryan – code-named RYMUR – and appears as page 5-51 in document RYMUR 89-4286-1840. Page 4 of the inquest – which was missing in the original – was furnished in document RYMUR 89-4286-1936.]
[Guyana Inquest, 13 December 1978]
GUYANA – TO WIT. – (stamp [unreadable]30JAN79[unreadable])
Coroner’s ord chap 13
County of Essequibo
[unreadable stamp]
Minutes of an inquisition taken and held at Matthews Ridge, North West Magisterial District [words crossed out] in County aforesaid, on the 13th day of December, 1978 upon the body of James W. Jones et al [words crossed out] now dead. before one of the Coroners of [words crossed out] the State of Guyana and following good Men/and woman constituting a Jury, viz:
(1) Albert A. Graham (Foreman)
(2) Charles Hinds
(3) Prince Glasgow
(4) Ivelav Worrel
(5) Leam Pocle
The Jury being duly sworn, [words crossed out] in the presence of the Coroner, when the following Witnesses were called and examined –
(1) Cecil A. Roberts of C.I.D. Headquarters, Eve Leary – Ex. “A1-13”
(2) Dr. Cyril L. Mootoo of Central Medical Laboratory – Exs. “B1-B2”
(3) P.C. 8900 R. Oliver of Photographic Branch, Eve Leary, Exs. “C1-C2”, “D” and “K1-K15”
[page 2 of inquest]
CECIL ALEXANDER ROBERTS Sworn States: –
I am the Assistant Commissioner of Crime stationed at Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown. On Saturday 18th November, 1978 as a result of information received I left Georgetown Sunday 19th November, 1978 for Jonestown, North West Magisterial District. I left in company with Detective Inspector Gentle; Detective Inspector London; Detective Inspector Jagmokan and other policemen. I arrived in Jonestown on Monday 20th November, 1978 at 10.00 a.m. in company with Odell Rhodes; (called and identified). The reason for visiting Jonestown so late it was because of lack of transportation and in addition soldiers of the Guyana Defence Force had not reported to me what had actually occurred at Jonestown. On my arrival at Jonestown I saw a large number of dead bodies of human beings in an area close to a large tent. The number of dead bodies I saw looked like between 400 to 500. The area in which bodies were; was one; and after checking bodies individually I counted 914 bodies dead. The said Odell Rhodes an American citizen in company with Police party commenced the identification of the dead persons that were lying in the aforementioned area. As each body was identified a small yellow tag bearing the name of the dead person was tied onto the waist of the dead person so identified. At the said time a list was made of every person so identified. The said list was made in my presence by Inspector Gentle on information given to him by the said Odell Rhodes. Later that said day in the afternoon the Government Bacteriologist Forensic Pathologist Dr. Leslie Mootoo Arrived with a Medical Team at Jonestown scene. The said dead bodies in particular the body of James Warren Jones and Elisabeth Moore were identified by the said Odell Rhodes and shown to the said Government Pathologist. These two bodies were shown to the said Pathologist as they appeared to have gun shot wounds. Subsequently a quantity of tapes, personal letters, passports and other miscellaneous documents were seized and taken away by the Police. The number of American passports that were found totalled 803. A list of the said passports was also made by the said Inspector Gentle. The said passports were subsequently handed over to a representative of the American Embassy in Guyana. As a result of a request from the American Embassy I gave to them 670 finger print records abstracted immigration body cards. Subsequently I got a list of names purporting to the names of the said dead, some of the dead persons I saw
[page 3 of inquest]
at Jonestown. This is the said list it consists of 13 pages of Telex Message purporting to come from the Dover Delaware Forensic Laboratory, Tendered, admitted and marked exhibits “A1 to A13” to which location the said dead bodies were removed by the American Government. Twenty-two other bodies were found in an area other than the area where the bulk of the bodies were found. Thirteen of the said 33 bodies were found in the house of James Warren Jones, the said home was identified by the said Odell Rhodes. Twelve of these bodies showed signs of consistent with poisoning and one body (i.e.) that of Ann Elisabeth Moore which appeared to have a gun shot wound on the left side of her head. On a bed in the first bedroom a body identified as Maria Katsaris was lying face downwards. She was appeared to have a frothing discharge from the mouth. Ann Elizabeth Moore[‘s] body was on the floor; in the said room on another bed was the dead bodies of a young child 7 to 8 years. The child was identified as that of Timothy Jones. The child was about 7 to 8 years old. The next bedroom had some dead bodies also the number of which I now remember to be 9. Two of these bodies were given; one, as Karren Layton age 19 and Jim McElvain. In another building identified by the said Odell Rhodes as a hospital were four more bodies (dead) and in another hospital like building were a further five bodies very elderly women. All the bodies except Ann Elisabeth Moore had no external marks of violence; appeared to be consistent with poison. There were empty vials and cups around which were seized and taken away by the police. At least about seven bottles had the label Potassium Cyanide and had a liquid in them. These said bottles were also seized and taken away by the police for analysis examination. A number of disposable injections containing a brownish liquid were also taken away and sent for examination by Government analyst. There were also a number of Plastic drinking cups. These were all found when I saw the bulk of the dead bodies. They also bore traces of containing a brownish liquid. There was also a large steel metal drum cut in half containing brownish liquid. There were also some torn open cool aid packets in the said area where bulk of dead bodies were. The dwelling houses – 150 yards from where the bulk of bodies were found. The said items which appeared to contain traces of the said brownish liquid were found under a tent or thereabout. I also saw loud speaking equipment. The
[page 4 of inquest]
poles in the tent contain speakers attached to them. Transmitting equipment was found. A very powerful set. From enquiries the said organization at Jonestown owned a trawler named “Cudjoe”. This vessel is now in possession of the police. There was a V.H.F. set on this ship. I am also aware that members of the said organization operated another ship named the “Albatross”. In course of the continued investigation 35 weapons were found in a room within precints of the bodies of the two persons who appeared to have gun shots wounds was Ann Elizabeth Moore and James Warren Jones. One of the said weapon was found where the body of Ann Elizabeth Moore was found and the other found in the vicinity of the body of James Warren Jones. His body was found on a small platform under the tent. There was a large open safe empty in the house occupied by James Warren Jones. It carried a combination lock. In course of further enquiry a sum of money in excess of $550,000 U.S. dollars as well as a large sum of (G) [Guyanese] dollars were found. These were found in Jonestown. The bulk of this amount was found in a chicken feed bag which was in the feeding room of the chicken farm owned and operated by the said organization. This chicken farm is about two miles away. There is a roadway which leads from the settlement to the chicken farm. Another portion of the money was found buried in a banana grove approximate 600 yards from main area. Approximate $4,800 (U.S.) was found in the possession of three men namely Michael Prokes, Timothy Carter and Michael Carter. I was taken to both places by Michael Carter. These sums are now in the possession of the police. I also found a quantity of rings, gold and diamond which are also in the possession of the police. They were found in a small red box. I think they were about 28 rings.
Cross-examination of witness:- None
Question by members of the jury:
Answer:- Carters and Prokes are American citizen and members of the People’s Temple.
By coroner:- On my way to Jonestown on 20th November, 1978 I had in my company another American citizen besides Odell Rhodes. His name is Michael Carter.
Witness ask leave of coroner to have deleted from exhibit “a6” the names Patricia Parks, Liane Harris and Linda Harris Alias Sharon Amos. As the death
[page 5 of inquest]
of these three persons now form the subject matter of Criminal Proceedings.
Cross-examination by: – None.
No questions by members of the Jury.
C.A. Roberts
TAKEN BY ME and read over to the abovementioned witness who declared the same to be correct and signed at the court at Matthews Ridge on this 13th day of December, 1978, the witness and I being all present together at the time of the reading and signing hereof.
M.H. Bacchus
Magistrate and Coroner,
North West Magisterial District.
CYRIL LESLIE MOOTOO Sworn States: –
I am Government Senior Bacteriologist and Pathologist, my address is at Central Medical Laboratory, Georgetown. I am also a graduate of the University of Dublin, Edinborough and I am also a Registered Medical Practitioner. On 20th November, 1978 I went to Jonestown North West Magisterial District and was shown several hundred of dead bodies some were identified to me by Odell Rhodes, this person (identified). I performed post mortem examination on some of the bodies. This I did in the presence of A.C.C. Roberts. I really started my examination of the said dead bodies on the Monday night 20th November, 1978. I slept at Jonestown about 50 yards from the dead bodies. The first body I performed post mortem with dissection on after it was identified by the said Odell Rhodes was the body of James Warren Jones. On examination I found he had a bullet wound on the right aspect of the skull just above the right ear, directly above the right ear. There was a larger wound on the left side of his head above the left ear. On closer examination I found the wound on the right side was the entrance wound and that on the left side exit wound. I saw evidence of a near discharge. From my experience I would say it was a .38 weapon. In my estimation I would say he had died 56 to 60 hours before I started to work on him. I started to work on the 21st November, 1978 about 9.00 a.m. The said body would have died after Saturday 18th November, 1978 midday. The cause of death Compound fracture of the skull, laceration of the brain due to gun shot injury. The area of the
[page 6 of inquest]
entrance wound is one the suicide area from a right handed person. Next body was found in a room identified by Odell Rhodes as that of Ann Elisabeth Moore (approximately) 26 years. On examination I found she to had a head injury the entire left aspect of the head was blown off and the brain was scattered all over the floor. There were no injury on her body. In my opinion that could not have been self inflicted she was murdered. I did a partial dissection but found no abnormality. I examined James Warren Jones abdomen and found no abnormality also. The cause of Ann Elisabeth Moore’s death was due to a compound commuted fracture to the left side of the vault and bone of skull with laceration of the brain due to gun shot injury. A weapon of high velocity such as a high powered rifle was used to cause her death. I then carried out post mortem toxicology study for poison on several other dead bodies among these that had been identified by the said Odell Rhodes. From the rostrum the identified bodies with tags would be on your left. I then went into the other groups of dead bodies on the right and back of where I was standing I made spot checks on some of those bodies which had not been identified. I made a list of the names of the dead bodies which were identified by Odell Rhodes. This is my said list tendered, admitted and marked exhibit “B”. I did also a toxicology study for poison on 25 unidentified dead bodies from different parts. Death was due to acute cyanide poison. In my estimation death could have supervene Saturday 18th November, 1978. A lethal dose of cyanide could kill a child in 5 minutes and a baby less. From what I saw most person died between twenty and thirty minutes after taking lethal dose of Cyanide poison (This is drinking). The entire premises in front of the rostrum was littered with plastic cups with or without this redish brown solution. There were syringes on a desk on the rostrum unused on a wooden container, there were vials of valium and ampools of valium. This valium is a tranquiliser. There was a bottle containing phenegram tablets which is another mild tranquiliser which is used in the treatment of alergy. There was a large bottle (8 oz.) containing chloralhydrate and this is used to put little children to sleep. I also saw about 7 (1 litre) bottle containing Potassium cyanide with labels and two litre bottles containing potassium choloride. If injected or drunk suppress the heart beat and makes death easier. Tests were carried out on the syringes and the half steel drum of cool aid and some of the contents in the cups and there were all positive for potassium
[page 7 of inquest]
cyanide. The other stuff such as the potassium bottle, valium etc were given to analyst for examination. The objective was to prove what label carried that was its contents. I got back one report from the analyst that in a bottle labelled valium there was also cyanide. The action Potassium cyanide is a respiratory suppressor and gives the effect of chemical suffocation because it interferes with the taking up of oxygen by the lungs. I see this exhibit “A1 to A13” and among the names of some appears are some of the names of the persons I carried out Post Mortem examination as shown on exhibit “B”.
Cross-examination by: – None.
No questions by members of the Jury.
C. Leslie Mootoo
TAKEN BY ME and read over to the abovementioned witness who declared the same to be correct and signed at the court at Matthews Ridge on this 13th day of December, 1978, the witness and I being all present together at the time of the reading and signing hereof.
M.H. Bacchus
Magistrate and Coroner,
North West Magisterial District.
RICHARD OLIVER Sworn States: –
I am Detective Constable No. 8900 stationed at the Police Photographic Branch, Eve Leary, Georgetown. As a Police photographer I went in to Jonestown on Monday 20th November, 1978 in company with A.C.C. Roberts. Certain bodies were identified to me by Odell Rhodes (identified) and upon instruction I took photographs of the body identified to me as James Warren Jones ad made prints from negatives, this is the photographs of James Warren Jones tendered, admitted and marked exhibit C1 and C2. I also took a photograph of Ann Elisabeth Moore, this is the said photograph of A.E. Moore tendered, admitted and marked “D”. I also took fifteen photographs tendered, admitted and marked E1 to E15 [following line typed in between the two previous] of the various points of Jonestown, these are the said photographs.
The photograph “E1” above Jones’ house “E2” scene of poison, “E3” shows another picture of James W. Jones. “E4” shows Marceline Jones, wife of James Warren Jones. “E5” shows scenes of poison vials. “E6” shows dead bodies in bulk near pavilion. “E7”, 8, 9 and 10 show more dead bodies. “E11, 12 and 13” shows
[page 8 of inquest]
dead bodies inside James Warren Jones house. “E14” shows bodies near to bows and arrow and “E15” shows guns found.
Cross-examined:- None
No questions by members of the Jury.
Richard Oliver D/C 8900
TAKEN BY ME and read over to the abovementioned witness who declared the same to be correct and signed at the court at Matthews Ridge on this 13th day of December, 1978, the witness and I being all present together at the time of the reading and signing hereof.
M.H. Bacchus
Magistrate and Coroner,
North West Magisterial District.
Guyana Inquest, 14 December 1978
GUYANA – TO WIT. –
Coroner’s ord chap 13
County of Essequibo
[unreadable stamp]
Minutes of an inquisition taken and held at Matthews Ridge
[words crossed out] in County aforesaid, on the 14th day of December, 1978 upon the body of James W. Jones et al [words crossed out] now dead. before one of the Coroners of [words crossed out] the State of Guyana and following good and lawful Men constituting a Jury, viz:
(1) Albert Graham (Foreman)
(2) Charles Hinds
(3) Ivelav Worrel
(4) Leam Pocle
(5) Prince Glasgow
The Jury being duly sworn, [words crossed out] in the presence of the Coroner, when the following Witnesses were called and examined –
(1) Seeram Persaud – Lot 61 Mon Depos
(2) Odell Rhodes – Detroit Michigan, U.S.A.
[page 10 of inquest]
SEERAM PERSAUD Sworn States: –
I am Clerk to the Coroner in this matter and I reside at lot 61 Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. Earlier today in company with the Coroner, Prosecuter and members of the Jury and together with witnesses Odell Rhodes and Stanley Clayton, I went to the settlement at Jonestown. There the witnesses Odell Rhodes and Stanley Clayton pointed out to the Coroner and members of the Jury certain buildings and areas at the said settlement at Jonestown. These places and buildings were pointed out at the request of the Coroner and members of the Jury.
Cross-examined: – None.
No questions by members of the Jury.
S. Persaud.
TAKEN BY ME and read over to the abovementioned witness who declared the same to be correct and signed at the court at Matthews Ridge on this 14th day of December, 1978, the witness and I being all present together at the time of the reading and signing hereof.
M.H. Bacchus
Magistrate and Coroner,
North West Magisterial District.
I am an Electronic Technician, originally hailing from Detroit, Michigan, United States of America. I am unmarried and was 8 years in the service of the United States of America Signal Corp and Infantry battalion and was a member of the People’s Temple. I joined it in California, U.S.A. It was a religious body and I joined same in October, 1976. We were shown movies in San Francisco, U.S.A. by members of the People’s Temple. Those persons who showed films to us included James Warren Jones also known as and called Jim Jones called also Reverend Jones and father; as a result of what I saw on those films I decided to come to Guyana. I arrived here on August 22nd, 1977. I arrived in Georgetown and came to Jonestown by boat. There was a party of twenty-six of us from United States of America. I am not sure any of those persons are alive and I do know most of the names. When I got to the said settlement at Jonestown I [most of the following line is missing] between four hundred to five hundred persons living there.
[page 11 of inquest]
I had an American Passport. My passport was given to a member of the party I came with in the U.S.A. The person I gave same to name is Ronie James. I saw my passport in Jonestown when I was to get married in July, 1978. I arrived at Jonestown at 2:00 a.m. and was met by Jim Jones and a few others. The next day the party which I came with (26) were given job assignments. I was assigned to do agricultural work, plant cassava. We were not allowed to leave settlement, it was forbidden by Jones. There was security arrangements, about one month after I arrived I notice same. There were armed guards who patrolled the settlement, they would patrol on the outer perimeter of the settlement. These guards carried a shot gun. Those that carried pelts cartridges. Later on also bows and arrows including rifles were used. We had meetings usually on Tuesdays and Saturdays between 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. lasting after 12 o’clock in the night. Jim Jones presided over the said meetings. There were agricultural meetings and ideological meetings. There was never any discussion about religion. Mails could be sent. If one wanted to send a letter they had to write same before a Committee comprising of three persons and headed by Rita Tupper. I see this document exhibit “A7” No. 357 on this list reflects the name of Rita Tupper. This is the said Rita Tupper who headed the Committee. There were about twenty to twenty-five persons attached to the Security Staff. On nights about four or five of them were armed. At the tower a security guard would stay there and watch; mostly women were guards at the tower. I never went up the said tower before until today and from there I could see the entire camp. I once wrote a letter to Jim Jones expressing my desire to leave settlement and I also expressed my said desire in front of a public gathering at the pavilion. I was punished by being put to do longer hours because of desire to leave. There were others who wanted to leave namely: Tom Partak, he was about thirty-five years. As a result he was given physical punishment; he was beaten by the security guards on Jim Jones instructions. He was cuffed about. There were others who wanted to leave but were prevented from so doing and each of them was punished. In September, 1978 Jim Jones told us persons from the United States of America were coming to over run the settlement and as a result there was an extra exercise of five or six days alert. We had to arm ourselves with weapons and keep duty around the settlement. The regular had fire arms; it was after this
[page 12 of inquest]
that a regular security was formed. The main thing that prevented persons from leaving was the bush. Jim Jones gave no aid and no one on the settlement had any money. I was not paid for the services which I rendered. Instructions by Jim Jones on the visit of the persons to the said settlement; any questions asked we were all told what to say. I never had any visitor but I was made to understand by my fellow settlers that we were to praise the organisation and make as if life in the settlement was O.K. During the month of September, 1978 a resident in the United States of America was seeking to have custody of her child who was a resident of the said settlement and Jim Jones was not pleased about this. The name of this child is John Victor Stoen called John Jones and he was about seven to eight years old. Around 14th November, 1978 I was informed by Jim Jones together with other members of the settlement that Leo Ryan Congressman intended to visit the said settlement. He said that he would not let that party into the said settlement. We were all made to sign a petition stating that we did not wish Leo Ryan and his party to visit the said settlement, the said petition was signed by the members of the entire settlement including myself. About the 16th November, 1978 Jim Jones informed members of the said settlement through the loud speaker that he would allow Leo Ryan and his party to visit the said settlement as they would be accompanied by two lawyers of the said Organisation namely: Charles Geary [Garry] and Mark Lane. He told them to put on a show of happy faces for Mr. Leo Ryan and his party. There is a person in Court, Charles Krause (identified) was with them. I do not know this said individual Charles Krause before. When Mr. Leo Ryan arrived he was welcomed by settlers of the settlement, a show was put on for him. The band played for him, and there was a stage show. This was on 17th November, 1978. After the said show some of Mr. Ryan’s party left and some remained. On 18th November, 1978 about noon I saw Mr. Ryan and some of the members of his party. When I saw Mr. Ryan he was in the pavilion speaking to some of the staff there. Some of Mr. Ryan’s party were with him and some were boarding a truck to leave. About fifteen settlers were leaving with Mr. Ryan.
Matter adjourned to 15th December, 1978.
Odell Rhodes.
[page 13 of inquest]
TAKEN BY ME and read over to the abovementioned witness who declared the same to be correct and signed at the court at Matthews Ridge on this 14th day of December, 1978, the witness and I being all present together at the time of the reading and signing hereof.
M.H. Bacchus
Magistrate and Coroner,
North West Magisterial District.
Guyana Inquest, 15 December 1978
GUYANA – TO WIT. –
Coroner’s ord chap 13
County of Essequibo
Minutes of an inquisition taken and held at in the parish of Matthews Ridge in the County aforesaid, on the 15th day of December, 1978 upon the body of James W. Jones et al [words crossed out] now dead. before one of the Coroners of [words crossed out] the State of Guyana and following good and lawful Men constituting a Jury, viz:
(1) Albert Graham (Foreman)
(2) Charles Hinds
(3) Ivelav Worrel
(4) Leam Pocle
(5) Prince Glasgow
The Jury being duly sworn, inspected the body then and there lying dead, in the presence of the Coroner, when the following Witnesses were called and examined –
(1) Odell Rhodes of Detrote Michigan U.S.A. – Ex. F1-F6
(2) Insp. Gentle of C.I.D. Eve Leary G1-G11
(3) Stanley Clayton of 92 – 39 St. Oakland California
[page 15 of inquest]
Continuation of the Ex-in-chief of this witness.
ODELL RHODES Sworn States: –
When I was going to my house I saw this. The names of the settlers that were leading were: Dale Parks, Patricia Parks, Christ O’Neal, Juanita Bough [Bogue], Teena Bogue, Edith Bogue, Thomas Bogue, Monica Baghy [Bagby] and. Don Sly a settler who attacked the Congressman Ryan with a knife whilst he was on the pavilion, speaking to the staff. Don Sly called Ujara came from the back threw his arms around the Congressman’s neck and pulled the said Congressman backwards to him, he had a knife in his hand; a crowd gathered and the Congressman was rescued. This was done by some of the settlers. I did not see Jim Jones around there at the time. About 1.30 to 2.00 p.m. the Congressman and his party with the settlers left. After they left Marceline Jones came unto the public address system and assured us everything was alright [all right] and wanted everyone to go to their homes. About half hour after Marceline Jones had spoken Jim Jones came on the loud speaker and requested everyone to assemble in the pavilion. This pavilion I pointed out to Coroner and Jury yesterday 14th December, 1978. I went. Having assembled there we sat for about ten to fifteen minutes. When I got there I did not see Jim Jones. Shortly before the meeting was called I saw the said two lawyers namely Charles Geary [Garry] and Mark Lane walking away from the pavilion talking. If a person did not attend a meeting when same was called by Jim Jones he would be punished. On this occasion he requested the security men to check on all the houses to make sure all the settlers were at the meeting. He did so over the public address system. Those settlers who were aged or in the hospital were not required to attend. The House which I hid under and pointed out to the Coroner and Jury housed the Senior Citizens; who were in need of hospital care are not required to attend. After waiting ten to fifteen minutes at the pavilion Jim Jones came and said “everyone must commit suicide”; as there was a man who planned to shoot the pilot of the plane taking Congressman Ryan and his party down as the plane was in the air; he went on to say this said man who going to shoot the said plane had blamed his sister for his mother’s death (i.e.) the man sister and the man’s mother. He further added that suicide was the only way out as the Guyana Defence Force would come in and torture babies, children and Senior citizen. He had also said the said plane would crash in the jungle and all
[page 16 of inquest]
on board would die. A few months before Mr. Leo Ryan came Deborah alias Debi Blakly [Debbie Blakey] left the said Organization People’s Temple in Guyana and had returned to the United States of America and went before a grand jury and gave testimony that things were not right at the settlement in Jonestown. This was told to us by Jim Jones himself about three months before 18th December [November], 1978. After Blakey defected; her mother Leisa [Lisa] Layton got sick and got worse and died. Christine Miller objected to suicide proposal and said that suicide was not the only way out as the man might not shoot the pilot. Jim Jones in reply said the man would shoot the pilot if the plane never left the ground. One Lew Ester Lewis a settler told Miller she had no right, objecting. Several persons join with Lewis shouting down Miller. Jim MacElvain took the mike and told Miller she owed her life to Jim Jones and she had no reason to complain. All this took place in about two to three minutes. Over the public address system Jim Jones gave orders that the poison be brought out. Just before this request a vehicle drove into the compound. The said vehicle came in with speed. Johnny Jones age about thirty years went and spoke to Jim Jones, Jim Jones then said it is too late everybody is dead and then said bring the poison. There were many persons number about ten to fifteen persons, men and women went and brought the poison; they went to the Medical area. They kept going and coming. I saw a large drum steel with liquid. I also saw Nurses carrying handful of syringes; cups (disposable) were also brought. The Doctor Larry Shack [Schacht] went into the green tent which I also pointed out to the Coroner and members of the Jury, this tent is next to the said pavilion where we had all been sitting. A table was then brought to the pavilion and syringes were opened on the table by ten to fifteen persons; the container of the large drum was brought over small plastic container with brownish liquid were also brought over from the tent where Shack had been. I saw the label “Potassium Cyanide” on those bottles which I had aforementioned as gallon bottles. I also saw some bottles marked Potassium Chloride. I see exhibit “E2”, this picture shows the drum, this was placed next to the table. The table is also shown as exhibit “E2”. Jones kept saying hurry, hurry take the baby’s first. A woman name Rouleeta [Ruletta] Paul to her small child Robert Junior (name of child) 1½ year old. She took a syringe filled with brownish liquid and squirted it into the
[page 17 of inquest]
child’s mouth; this said syringe had no needle. She took another syringe which also filled with this brownish liquid and squinted it in her own mouth. There were several of the syringes filled with brownish liquid lying on the said table which the said drum was next to. She walked away along this wooden pathway and went into a position not shown in exhibit “E2” and sat down. Mostly females lined up with babies to get this syringe. Some one had handed to me a small child named Deryck [Derrick] Johnson about ten to eleven years of age and asked me to help him he had collapsed and I noticed his eyes were rolling and he went into convulsion and I put him to lie down outside in the fields. There was an alert call many months before this and people were asked to drink cool aid drinks and were told by Jim Jones it was poison and they drank the same at the said pavilion, nothing happened, they just went into the pavilion and sat down. On this occasion having seen this child dying I realised it was in fact poison which was in the drum. I started picking children up off the ground and putting them down. I was a teacher and I was just trying to comfort them. I spent about fifteen minutes there and then walked about four or five yards away and began contemplating what I should do. There were armed guards about fifty. Some were armed with firearms and bows and arrows. They were there preventing settlers from leaving. Doctor Shack said he needed a stethscope [stethoscope] and I relayed this message to a nurse name[d] Phyllis Chaiken and she started walking towards the Nurses Office and I walked with her. The nurses office is about one hundred and twenty-five yards from the pavilion. This said Nurses Office I also pointed out to the Coroner and Jury on 14th December, 1978 during visit to Jonestown. I went to the nurses office for stethscope and she went to the Doctor’s Office for stethscope. I went through the back door of the Nurses Office and unto the dwelling quarters of the Senior Citizens. There were about ten senior citizens at a Navy nurse also took care of them. This said baby nurse surname is Smith. I then went out the back door of the senior citizen quarters and went and hid under the building. I went into hiding for about thirty minutes, it was just about getting dark. While under the said senior citizen building I heard over the loud speaker and request that all persons with arms were to go to the radio room. When I heard this call I left my hiding place and went to the bakery, I saw no one there. From the bakery I went to Phisiotherapy [Physiotherapy] building. From
[page 18 of inquest]
there I went through the Cooking area. I saw no one here are also. I was not walking I was running because I was afraid. I went into the bushes and I had to cross an open field. I ran about five yards into the bushes and followed the tree line and came out by the front gate. I eventually came out on the road and went to Port Kaituma and went to the People’s National Congress Office. I saw some one there and reported what happened this was about 11.3o to 12.30 that said night. On 14th December, 1978 I pointed out to the Coroner and members of the Jury the loud speakers on the poles and cottages 31 and 33 which housed small boys. On said visit 14th December, 1978 I went into the guard tower and saw the front section of a small transmitter. I also pointed out to the said members of the Jury and Coroner cottage where I lived and also cottage 45 where Stanley Clayton lived. I also pointed out cottage No. 8 where Mary Lee [Marilee] Bogue and about seventeen other persons lived. At the said settlement husband and wives would live together but children were put to live with children of their own age. A house parent was put in charge of them. There was one house in which twenty-three girls lived; they were between ten to thirteen years old. There was another house where there were nine boys about twelve to fourteen years old lived. The names of some of the Security guards are: Bruce Oliver, Billy Oliver, Charles Marshall, brothers Tom and Bob, [Ronie] Ronnie James, Joe Wilson and others. Night of the 18th November, 1978 I reported matter to Police, then in company with the Police I went back to Jonestown on Monday 20th November, 1978 and identified some dead bodies numbering 174. As I identified the bodies Inspector Gentle was making a list of the names of the persons identified, their sex and apparent age. This is a list tendered, admitted and marked exhibit ‘F1 to F6’. I also identified bodies to Doctor Leslie Mootoo who inspected the bodies. I see exhibit ‘F’ No. 35 on this list should read “Grimm” instead of “Grime.” and No. 39 should Brewster instead of Brewsta. I went to the Senior Citizens quarters in company with the Police and saw four dead bodies. I could only identify one body he was the only male; he was about eighty years old. There was a dead body of woman sitting in a chair. She was about sixty years old.
Cross-examined: — none.
Q. by members of the jury: — I was traveling all the time from Georgetown to Jonestown when I arrived there at 2.00 a.m. as we had lost our way.
[page 19 of inquest]
Question: We all signed the petition under duress.
Question: I did not see any adult settler refusing to drink poison. When I left there were only a few adults who had taken poison.
Q. by Coroner: Michael Carter a settler from the said Jonestown was one of the radio operators.
I was also a teacher at Jonestown and taught children eight to fourteen years old.
Odell Rhodes.
TAKEN BY ME and read over to the abovenamed witness who declared the same to be correct and signed at the Court at Matthews Ridge on this 15th day of December, 1978 the witness and I being all present together at the time of the reading and signing thereof.
M.H. Bacchus,
Magistrate & Coroner,
North West Magisterial District.
I am Detective Inspector of Police stationed at Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown. I went to Jonestown in company with A.C.P. Roberts on 20th November, 1978 about 10.00 a.m. This witness Odell Rhodes was also in our company. I saw a large number of dead bodies at Jonestown lying under a large tent and around it. I also saw in Jim Jones’s house thirteen dead bodies and I also visited the Hospital where I’ve found other dead bodies about nine. On instructions from the A.C.C. Odell Rhodes accompanied me in order I make a list of the bodies he identified and I made a list of the bodies he identified. I see this list exhibit F1 to F6, this is a set list I made (identified). The said dead bodies were smaller and in a state of advance decomposition. I also noticed needle marks on the arms of some of the dead bodies. I found a number of American Passports in a building marked office. A list was made of these passports. I seized the said passports and later handed them over to the representative of the American Embassy. This is the said list I made of passports tendered, admitted and marked exhibits G1 to G11. I also collected a set of arms and told something about them by the Guyana Defence Force. On 21st November, 1978 I was also present at Jonestown when Doctor
[page 20 of inquest]
Mootoo a registered Medical Practitioner visited Jonestown and in my presence he performed a Post Mortem examination on James Warren Jones, and Ann Elizabeth Moore; the said bodies were identified by the said Odell Rhodes. He also examined the body of Christine Miller and a number of other persons. Whilst Odell Rhodes was identifying the said dead bodies and tag them. The dead body of the said James Warren Jones was lying on a platform. Around 23rd November, 1978 Personnels from the United States Army came into Jonestown and conveyed remaining dead bodies from the said Jonestown. They had Police permission, they removed nine hundred and thirteen dead bodies, one dead body was left his name was Gill he was a Guyanese.
Cross-examined: — none.
Q. by members of the jury: — I saw no sign of marks of violence on the dead body of the said Christine Miller.
Vernon Gentle D/Insp.
TAKEN BY ME and read over to the abovenamed witness who declared the same to be correct and signed at the Court at Matthews Ridge on this 15th day of December, 1978 the witness and I being all present together at the time of the reading and signing thereof.
M.H. Bacchus,
Magistrate & Coroner,
North West Magisterial District.
STANLEY CLAYTON Sworn States: —
I am twenty-five years old and lived at 920-39 Str., Oakland, California. About 1971 I joined the People’s Temple in America and then I decided to come over to Guyana in 1977. I was given $80.00 (A.) to prepare myself. The money was given to me by one Francie Cuishan, she was one of the persons that was responsible for the distribution of money in the Organisation. I was told to take money and buy some clothes but I went and got drunk instead. I was supposed to leave at 9.00 p.m. that day I got the $80.00 (A.). Michael Carter came to me at night about 9.30 p.m. and told me I was thirty minutes late. Michael Carter was a radio operator for the church. Michael Carter took me to San Francisco Airport with my consent. When I got to the Airport he gave me a ticket and my passport. I boarded a plane and came to Guyana
[page 21 of inquest]
with three other persons Janice Johnson, Joyce Johnson and Jane Johnson. They were sisters, this was in August, 1977. When I came to Guyana I stayed a few weeks in Georgetown and then went to Jonestown. I reached Jonestown in August, 1977 in the night. The next day they gave us a briefing. I was disappointed with Jonestown. Some time later I was told one of the Griffiths I wanted to leave as I felt he could have helped. Griffith told Jim Jones, Charlie Touchette, Johnny Jones together with others took me to the bushes to Jim Jones. I was stopped threatened by Charlie Touchette and Jim Jones asked why I wanted to leave and when I explained because of the treatment I was receiving he told me things would be better. When I first arrived in Jonestown I did agricultural work, then clearing bushes and at one time I did security work at the gate, the main entrance at one time with Odell Rhodes, Jeff Carrie [Carey], and Chick Kenfendoff [Chuck Kirkendale]. From Security I went to the kitchen has a cook. I was caught drinking and smoking whilst doing Security work and as a result I was removed from doing security work. I was punished by being made to do hard work and taking orders from the foot of the hill up to a box on top of the hill running and was being supervised by Ronie James who was armed with a rifle. In November, 1978 I was working in the kitchen. A few days before the visit I heard over the public address system that a United States Congressman was coming to visit the settlement. Jim Jones was opposed to the visit but never the less told people to clean the place. The Congressman and his party arrived at Jonestown on November 17, 1978. He was welcomed by the settlers. On the 18th November, 1978 I saw some of the visitors that were members of the Congressman’s Party; about 2 O’clock in the afternoon of 18th November, 1978 I saw the Congressman Ryan and his party with settlers leaving. Marceline Jones said over the loud speaker after Congressmen left that everything was alright and they should return to their quarters and freshen up and meet again for that evening and discussed the events that occurred that day. About half an hour after this the settlers were summoned to pavilion over the public address system. The kitchen crew does not have to attend meetings. Doctor Shack and Joyce Touchette came into the kitchen and collected a half steel drum and had with them boxes of cool aid and two containers containing brown liquid. I know from this something was going on. There had been a previous occasion when there was a suicide drill in which Cool Aid was placed in [a] container
[page 22 of inquest]
and settlers were required to drink it having been told it contained portion which I understood to be poison which was fake as no one died. So when I saw them leaving with Cool Aid that day I felt it was a similar drill. One of the Security guards came and ordered the kitchen staff which included me to go to the pavilion; the security guard was Lew Jones, he was carrying a pistol in his pocket. This was around five to 5.30 in the afternoon. I went over to the pavilion, when I reached the pavilion I saw Christine Miller a settler telling Jim Jones that she had a right to decide what she would do with her life or not and she must make the decision. One of the women Lew Ester Lewis got up and told Christine Miller she had no right to decide what she will do with her life and then Jim McElvair got up and said to Christine Miller if it was not for Jim Jones she would not be alive. The crowd was agreeing with Jim McElvair and Lew Ester Lewis. Jim Jones was saying all of us got to die and Christine Miller could not make a decision for her life, it had to be made by the group. About that time the truck that carried the Congressman Party came into the compound fast and I then saw Bob Kice and Johnny Jones came off truck and Johnny Jones go to Jim Jones and said something to him. After this Jim Jones said it is too later we must all die. We got him the Congressman is dead. News Media are also dead on the Air Strip. We must die hurry with portion; he does not want the Guyana Defence Force coming in and castrate and shooting the settlers and he did not want any of the settlers to be left alive. He was speaking over the Public Address system. He said words to the effect he would see everyone dead and then he would take his life. I saw persons moving to the back where Jim Jones was. I saw mothers taking their babies up. I saw a Nurse give a baby a set from a cup and then saw a Nurse injected a baby. After the mothers to their babies and they were injected persons would take the babies out in the fields. I saw every young babies in arms being treated in this way. I saw Joyce Touchette then hold Neil a Guyanese adopted by her four years old and permitted a nurse to give them a sip from a cup after of which she fondled him and walked out of pavilion and put the child down where other babies were and went and stood at the back of Jim Jones. Some of the settlers were crying and Jim Jones were asking them not to scare babies like that let them feel happy, let them be proud to die with dignity. Mothers were crying and persons looking
[page 23 of inquest]
after babies. Marceline Jones went around embracing people. I heard her saying to one of the persons should see them in the next life. All the time Jim Jones was saying loud speaker in a hurry, hurry the Guyana Defence Force were coming, some settlers were reluctant to go and the members of the security were assisting the reluctant ones to go up to the table. Jim Jones came off the table and were also assisting them to go to the table telling them he love them. Jim Jones said he was finally going to rest. He was saying to the settlers over the loud speaker that it would not hurt you, you just close your eyes and go into a deep sleep. It was after the adults realised that persons were dying; they showed signs of reluctance to die. When I realised it was the real thing, I began to move backwards from side to side looking for a way to escape. The crowd was getting less and less as persons were dying. It was not [now] about 7 to 7.30 in the night. Between 100 to 200 persons were still alive. I heard over the public address system that persons with weapons were to report to the radio room. I saw persons with weapons going to the said radio room. There were twenty to twenty-five such persons. I started walking away from the pavilion and one of the security guard Amanda [Armondo] Griffith asked me where I was going and I told him I was going over to Ed Granishan to tell him I was going – I was going to take a portion. The guard replied Ed was not over there. I told him I just saw him over there. I continued walking and he was following me. I turned back as if I was going back to pavilion. There were members of the security around the pavilion armed with bows and arrows, men and women. I went up to Maria Lance [Marie Lawrence] hoping she would allow me to pass and she stepped back and pulled bow and arrow and threatened to shoot. I then went around to all the security men saying that I was getting ready to go. I reached Ray Jones and told him I was ready to go and he embraced me and said he would see me in the next life. I then noticed some people in the school tent and I told Ray Jones I was going over there to tell them goodbye. On my way over I looked back and saw Jones was not looking at me. I just ran towards the bushes the distance from that to bushes, I cannot estimate it. After being in the bushes for about half hour to forty-five minutes I heard cheers coming from the settlement. I remained in the bushes for another hour; then came out and when I reached about twenty-
[page 24 of inquest]
five yards out of the bushes I heard five shots in this sequence; one shot, then another shot in a double shot and then a final shot; I immediately ran back into the bushes. I spent another hour or two in the bushes. I then came out of the bushes and made my way back to the settlement. When I reached it, it was quiet. I saw lights on in the pavilion, Doctor Office, Nurses Office, one part of the kitchen and in one or two houses. I saw a light in the vicinity of the Jones house but I am not sure whether it was inside or outside. I went into the office, I saw no person dead or alive in there, there was no light. I went there to collect my passport. I got it; Passports were kept in a wooden box in that office. There were 40 to 50 passports in that box. It took me less than twenty seconds to find my passports. I went and look for my name. I turned on light. Passport office was about 50 yards from pavilion. It was right in front of the cage where an ape was kept. When I reached the office I remained about five minutes in the darkness then turned on the light and find my passport and then heard a shot appearing to come from somewhere in the settlement. I immediately cut off light and remained there for about three to four minutes; after making sure that no one was around I went into direction of the road and took the main road leading to Port Kaituma Police were I made a statement. I am not prepared to dispute, it was around 4.00 p.m. on 19th November, 1978 I concluded my statement to the Police. At Jonestown no one was allowed to smoke or drink alcohol. Police has my passport.
Cross-examined: — none.
Q. by members of the jury: — I would not be able to say whether in the of Jim Jones aids were permitted to smoke or drink. I know alcohol was there but I do not know for what purpose. I do know of one instance when Jim Jones slipped up and called for branky [brandy] but passed it off by saying he was using it for Medical Reasons.
By Coroner: Jim Jones was the big boss of the settlement, he ran everything. He had power of life and death over all inmates of Jonestown.
Cross-examined: — none.
[page 25 of inquest]
No question by members of the Jury.
Stanley Clayton
TAKEN BY ME and read over to the abovenamed witness who declared the same to be correct and signed at the Court at Matthews Ridge on this 15th day of December, 1978 the witness and I being all present together at the time of the reading and signing thereof.
M.H. Bacchus,
Magistrate & Coroner,
North West Magisterial District.
Guyana Inquest, 16 December 1978
GUYANA – TO WIT. –
Coroner’s ord chap 13
County of Essequibo
Minutes of an inquisition taken and held at Matthews Ridge [words crossed out] in the County aforesaid, on the 16th day of December, 1978 upon the body of James W. Jones et al [words crossed out] now dead. before one of the Coroners of [words crossed out] the State of Guyana and following good and lawful Men constituting a Jury, viz:
(1) Albert Graham (Foreman)
(2) Charles Hinds
(3) Ivelav Worrel
(4) Leam Pocle
(5) Prince Glasgow
The Jury being duly sworn, [words crossed out] in the presence of the Coroner, when the following Witnesses were called and examined –
(1) Paul Adams of Port Kaituma N.W. District
(2) Michael J. Carter of 1810 Divisadero St. Sanfrancisco California
(3) Timothy Carter of 1859 Geary Boulevard Sanfrancisco California
(4) Gilbert Gomes of Port Kaituma N.W. District
(5) Michael Prokes of 1859 Geary Boulevard Sanfrancisco U.S.A.
[page 27 of inquest]
I am a Security Guard living at Port Kaituma working with Matarakai Development Authority. On Saturday 18th November, 1978 I was due to work from the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift. As a result of something I heard a reported for duty at 9.00 p.m. (early) In order to get to my post I had to walk along the train line and I heard voices. From their accent I decided they were settlers from Jonestown. I estimated there were about five persons speaking to one another. I was not able to make out what they were saying. At my workplace I told the Security guards Sealey and Kansanalli what I heard. I remained on duty at my post and about 11.55 p.m. security guard Gilbert Gomes told me something; as a result of what he told me I went to Port Kaituma waterfront and hid after seeing three Americans; as soon as they were about to pass me I halted them with my gun and ordered them to go to the out post at Port Kaituma. At the out post they were searched and some American currency and Guyana currency; about five passports and two revolvers (Smith and Webson [Wesson] makes .38) were found on them. These things were taken possession of by the police. An entry was made in the diary of everything that was found on them. The diary was a police diary. Durga Persaud made the entry in the said diary. I subsequently learnt that the three persons I arrested were Timothy Carter, Mike Carter, Michael Prokes. I asked them where they were going and they replied they were seeking rescue. They were taken to the Cassava Mill and later the police took charge of them.
Cross-examined: — none.
Q. by members of the Jury: None.
Paul Adams
TAKEN BY ME and read over to the abovenamed witness who declared the same to be correct and signed at the Court at Matthews Ridge on this 16th day of December, 1978 the witness and I being all present together at the time of the reading and signing thereof.
M.H. Bacchus,
Magistrate & Coroner,
North West Magisterial District.
[page 28 of inquest]
MICHAEL JULIAN CARTER Sworn states:–
I am an American citizen. I used to live at 1810 Diviscadero St. San Francisco, USA. I joined an organization known as the People’s Temple in July or August, 1973. At that time the said organization had its headquarters at River Valley, California. I came to Guyana in 1977 when I was in Georgetown I stopped at Lot 41 Lamaha Gardens, the headquarters of the People’s Temple. I said six days in Georgetown when I first arrived in Guyana. I took the boat “Cudjoe” and came to Jonestown. My first assignment at Jonestown was working in the fields. In October, November, 1978 my main job was working as a radio operator at Jonestown. When I first arrived in Jonestown I found the opinion that Jim Jones was working very hard for the benefit of the settlers, as time went on it seemed to me his condition deteriorated. Others started to assume responsibilities. The greatest inflow of population growth of people came between July and December, 1977. Out of the 14 months I spent in Guyana before this incident nine months were spent at Jonestown and five months at Lamaha Gardens, Georgetown. When I first arrived in Jonestown I spent three months there, then three months in Lamaha Gardens. But two months in Jonestown after that then two more months in Lamaha Gardens, Georgetown and the remaining term I spent at Jonestown. When I came to Georgetown from Jonestown it was basically to purchase provisions and equipment for the radio and other electronic devices at Jonestown. At Jonestown during the month of November, 1978 there were three Hi frequency radio transmitter set that were operational. There were 4 or 5 other such steps that were not operational and I called all that set YAESU. The sets were capable of contracting anywhere in the world at certain times of the day and night depending on the atmospheric condition. There were also three similar sets that were operational at Lamaha Gardens. The organization had a trawler named the Cudjoe and a boat named Albatross. The boats were not equiped [equipped] with high frequency set. The organization in San Francisco had high frequency set. While I was in San Francisco I would normally have four to six hours radio contact with Jonestown everyday. In San Francisco I picked up Stanley Clayton and took him to the San Francisco airport, U.S.A. When I reached the home of Stanley Clayton I told him he was half hour late. Members of the People’s Temple in San Francisco had to surrender their passport
[page 29 of inquest]
to the organization and the same applied to Jonestown in Guyana. Jim Jones said he was God and represented himself as having Supernatural power. At Jonestown that would be regular meetings on Tuesdays and Saturdays. At the meetings there would be testimonies by Jim Jones and those settlers who had to be disciplined would be disciplined and then plans would be discussed generally. On May 13th, 1978 there was a talk about suicide when a certain settler left; then Jim Jones said she would go and spread a lot of information about the settlement at Jonestown and then they would all have to commit suicide. I was married to Joycelyn Carter. I was married in October, 1976. Her name prior to marriage was Joycelyn Brown. There was one offspring born in Michigan in Georgetown on 10th May, 1977 name of child’s “Kaywana”. On 1st November, 1978 I received radio message from San Francisco, USA headquarters of the People’s Temple that Congressman Ryan and the party would be arriving in Guyana on 15th November, 1978. The information conveyed to me was that the Congressman Ryan would be coming with another Congressman; members of the news media and some relatives of the settlers at Jonestown. I handed messages to person who is required to receive same. I got the impression that Jim Jones was willing to let in Congressman Ryan and his aides but no one else. On Friday afternoon 17th November, 1978 Jim Jones from his house called a meeting over the loud speaker; this was called an “alert”. Marceline Jones spoke to her husband Jim Jones over the telephone telling him that there was no sense in calling the “alert”. What Jim Jones did say over the loud speaker is “alert” “alert” we are being invaded.” It was then that Marceline Jones argued with Jim Jones to call “alert” off and after half hour of arguing Jim Jones finally called it off. At that time I was in the radio room trying to contact San Francisco, USA since it was a regular time. The Congressman Ryan, his aide, a Guyana official, and two of the Temple’s lawyers Charles Gairy [Garry] and Mark Lane arrived in Jonestown about 4.30 to 5.00 five o’ clock that afternoon. After Mark Lane and Charles Gairy spoke to Jim Jones the members of the news media and relatives of the settlers at Jonestown came in. Congressman Ryan started talking to settlers of Jonestown. There was a show at about 7.30 p.m. and then members of the news media and other persons making up Ryan’s party arrived. The Congressman Ryan with his aide, Mark Lane, and Charles Gairy overnighted at Jonestown, the other members of the
[page 30 of inquest]
party left Jonestown. About 9.00 a.m. on the Saturday morning 18th November, 1978 I saw Congressman Ryan in the pavilion speaking to settlers one at a time. The night before he spoke to Bouquett [Brian Bouquet] and other persons. I do not know the names of the persons he spoke to on the morning of 18th of November, 1978. I saw the news media and other members of the party arrived this was about 11.30 a.m. and they were speaking to settlers in the vicinity of the pavilion. I was then in the radio room. I sent a message to the headquarters at Lamaha Gardens, Georgetown that everything was going well; the message was sent to Sharon Amos. About 1.30p.m. Mr. Dick Dryer [Dwyer] from the United States Embassy in Guyana came to the radio room and sent a message asking for another plane to carry out settlers. The embassy promised to send one. Mr. Dryer returned about twenty to thirty minutes later and sent a message to Sharon Amos saying that a family of seven persons and two other individuals wanting to leave Jonestown and she should relay this message to the United States Embassy in Georgetown. The first message was also relayed through Sharon Amos. A message came back through Sharon Amos that United States Embassy was sending a plane capable of carrying five persons. About one hour after Mr. Dryer returned again and asked me to send another message that another twelve persons wanted to leave. I pass this message to Sharon Amos. About one hour after this arrangements were made for the visitors to leave together with those settlers who desire to leave. Congressman Ryan had decided to remain to settle a dispute involving Al Simon, his wife and children. Al Simon wanted to leave, his wife wanted to remain and insisted the children remained with her. After an incident in which Congressman Ryan was involved he decided to leave. One truck left with Ryan and his party. I was in the back room. Marceline Jones then came on the public address system and told everyone “everything will be alright they must go home and relax”. Maria Katsaris, the financial Secretary of the said organization came into the radio room and told me to tell Georgetown we were having power problems and we would have to shut off the radio. I shut off radio and took out a part of the radio and give it to her. This was around 3.45 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. I think it was Paula Adams whom I gave message to in Georgetown. I remained in radio room and after about forty-five minutes later Reverend Jones announced over the loud speaker system that every one was to attend a meeting
[page 31 of inquest]
at the pavilion. People started going in the pavilion and taking up seats and at the same time Maria Katsaris came and spoke to me. I was at that time outside the radio room. I saw my brother Timothy Carter following Maria Katsaris and she called both of us into the room next to the radioroom. She then told us Mike Prokes was going to be carrying a heavy suit case and asked me if we would be willing to help him. I then went to my home and changed my clothes and Timothy Carter went to his home. After changing I went to the West House where Jim Jones lived. This house has three rooms. The first room had a refrigerator, the second room an iron safe and the third room beds and desks. I did not go into the house. I saw Mike Prokes sitting on the steps of the third room with a suit case. I spoke [to] Mike. Maria Katsaris been handed me a pistol and also handed Mike Prokes one and told us if we were caught we were to kill ourselves. I subsequently learnt that suit case had money. At the same time she handed us our passport and also handed to Mike Prokes Timothy Carter’s passport. Passports are kept in a building which Joyce Touchette and husband lived. This was near the cage of the ape. I asked Prokes where we were to go and he said we were to go to the embassy in town. Maria Katsaris had bid us farewell, we were awaiting Timothy Carter and he arrived about this time. I thought there was going to be some trouble and one of the things was suicide. We went to a position outside the settlement. This was around 5.30 p.m. I could not hear the public address system. On my leaving I saw no dead bodies. The first place we stopped was in a banana field in the settlement. This banana field is about 1500 yards over a hill and out of sight of the pavilion it was also out of hearing of public address system. We sat in the field and had a discussion, Mike Prokes had said that he learnt from Maria Katsaris that things were out of hand and they were going after Congressman Ryan. Prokes unzip the case and then I saw the contents which consisted of foreign currency, Guyana currency to smaller extent, I saw three boxes of jewelry, rings and necklaces and then I saw an envelope it was addressed to the Soviet Embassy in Georgetown. I opened the envelope and found at last to typewritten sheets of paper, it was too dark to read. It was signed. We took out six packs of foreign currency; each packet measured about four to five inches high and the length of an ordinary United States currency note. We dug six holes and buried the money in the same location; money was in plastic–
[Page 32 missing]
[page 33 of inquest]
I could estimate there were living at the said settlement. I never went back to Jonestown. During the time I was at Jonestown, I went with A.C.C. Roberts to the chicken farm and there I pointed out the chicken feed bag in which I had left money. I also pointed out the suit case. I also took A.C.C. Roberts to the banana fields where money was buried. I could not at that time find where money was buried but later with the assistance of Mike Prokes and my brother Timothy Carter money was recovered. Police took possession of all these things. The guns that were given to us by Maria Katsaris had ammunition mine had five rounds and I later reacved [received?] those and put them in my pocket. I saw security guards at Jonestown. Persons were not permitted to leave Jonestown if they wanted.
Cross-examined: — none.
Q. by members of the Jury:–
I did see dead body of Ann Elizabeth Moore lying on the floor and she appeared to have been shot this was when I saw body of Maria Katsaris. There was no power failure when Maria Katsaris spoke to me.
Q. by Coroner:–
Ann Elizabeth Moore had a sister at Jonestown whose name was Carolyn Layton.
Michael J. Carter
TAKEN BY ME and read over to the abovenamed witness who declared the same to be correct and signed at the Court at Matthews Ridge on this 16th day of December, 1978 the witness and I being all present together at the time of the reading and signing thereof.
M.H. Bacchus,
Magistrate & Coroner,
North West Magisterial District.
TIMOTHY JAMES CARTER c/d TIMOTHY CARTER also called TIM CARTER Sworn States:
I am a citizen of the United States of America. I lived at 1859 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, California, United States of America. I am a Typewritten and word Processing Specialist. I used to work on the IBM Typewriter. In January, 1973 I joined the People’s Temple and Jim Jones was in charge of
[page 34 of inquest]
the said Organization. I did Secretarial work for the said Organization at the premises of the People’s Temple Organization where I lived. In 1974 I understood that the People’s Temple wanted to set up an Agricultural project in Guyana. Sometime in 1974 I believed that the said Agricultural Project was set up. Jim Jones had made two or three trips from the Headquarters in the States to Guyana over a period of time. [In] May or June, 1977 Jim Jones came to Guyana. He called a project of the “Promised Land.” August, 24th 1977 I came to Guyana. I came with Eva and Jim Pugh. Eva Pugh was the treasurer. Jim Pugh was a long standing member. When I came to Guyana I spent about one week at Lot 41 Lamaha Gardens, Georgetown then I went to Jonestown. I came to Matthews Ridge by plane then went over land to Jonestown. At that time there were 600 to 700 persons at the settlement at Jonestown. Agricultural work was done at the time; it appeared to me that the people were quite happy. In December, 1977 I moved to Lamaha Gardens to live. In September, 1977 he Jim Jones asked the assembly at Jonestown how many people wanted to commit suicide and about 12 of them raised their hands in approval. At Jim Jones’ request in 1976 I signed a letter that I no longer desired to live, this was a test of loyalty. I was married in the States. My wife came to Guyana before I did in late June, 1977. In 1974 I was legally married in the States to Barbara Hoyer. I was separated from her then had a relationship with Gloria Rodriguez over a period of time and this is the person whom I referred to as my wife. She came in June, 1977. She was pregnant at that time. She gave birth to a child in August, 1977 in Georgetown, name of child is Malcolm James Carter. In September, 1977 over a period of several days six rounds were fired at Jonestown. I did not see who fired those rounds no one was injured. I was at different places at the time of this incident in September, 1977. In November there was an instance of a discharge of one round. I did not see [the] person who discharged round. In December, 1977 also one round discharged again I did not see the person who discharged round. No one was injured on any of these occasions. I know there were shotguns at Jonestown. Six people who comprised [the] guard of Jim Jones used those shotguns to protect his house and it was said it was because of the incidents I referred to above in September, November and December, 1977. There was no guard from the settlement. I never noticed bows
[page 35 of inquest]
and arrows. If a settler wanted to leave Jonestown they would have been prevented. I cleared the bushes and was an administrator for the Medical Department. I was assigned to prepare the Organizational Chart for the Medical Team. At that time in December, 1977 there were only 20 members of the Medical Team. As a result of my assignment I spoke to Philiss [Phyllis] Chaikin who was the Nurse in charge of the Medical Team. I set up a system for the ordering of Medical supplies, the visiting hours of the Doctors, Nurse and Pharmacist. I did this job for about four weeks; December, 1977 I went to Georgetown to do customs work. I prepared papers for doing customs work. I remained in Georgetown doing customs work and Community relations work until October, 1978. During that time I made brief visits to Jonestown; in October, 1978 I went to the States and returned to Guyana about a week before 18th of November, 1978. I got information that Congressman Ryan and a Party were going to visit Jonestown, this was when I was in the States in October; November, 1978. While in the States I had discussions with relatives in the States of settlers in Jonestown and on my return to Guyana I told Jim Jones about this proposed visit of Congressman Ryan and the relatives of the settlers. Jim Jones was worried about the intention of Congressman Ryan and his party on this visit. When I told Jim Jones about this I was in Jonestown; the Tuesday of the week of the visit. The Friday of the week 17th November, 1978 Ryan, his aide [Jackie Speier], Charles Gairy, Mark Lane and a man from the Ministry of Information [Neville Annibourne] arrived at Jonestown. I was there when they arrived about 45 minutes after their arrival Jim Jones came up and spoke to Congressman Ryan. After the conversation which Jim Jones had with the Congressman Jim Jones agreed to allow all the other members of the Party to come into Jonestown except one; the person who was prevented was Gordon Lindsay of the National Enquirer News Paper. Congressman Ryan and his party spoke to settlers after which there was a show. The next day I heard Edith Parks expressed desire to leave, this was done to one of the News men; after that more and more people expressed desire to leave. There were about 20 settlers who expressed desire to leave all left except Al Simon. All this time I was in the pavilion. I was in discussion with Congressman Ryan, Charles Gairy, Mark Lane when Donald Sly called Ujara, Don Sly came up and asked me whom I was speaking to and when I told him that it
[page 36 of inquest]
was Congressman Ryan he went behind him and put his hands around him and said all right mother fucker you are going to die. He pushed him down on the ground and myself and others rescued the Congressman. I noticed blood on Congressman Ryan’s clothes. A couple of minutes after this incident Jim Jones approached the Congressman and said he was sorry for what happened. After this the Congressman and his party with settlers left. After they left I went to the pavilion and then went to see my wife and son. At the pavilion Jim Jones, Mark Lane, Charles Gairy and several other persons were discussing the incident involving Don Sly and the Congressman. I did hear Marceline Jones come on the loudspeaker and said everyone was to go back to their cottages. About a half-hour after, there was another call on the loudspeaker requiring settlers to assemble at the pavilion. My wife and child went to the pavilion. When I got there I saw a girl named Shirley Smith on the stage dancing and singing that she was going to be a freedom fighter and appeared to me to have lost her mind. In the meantime Jim Jones, Charles Gairy, Mark Lane and others were under the school tent speaking. About a half-hour after I heard over the loudspeaker the word “suicide”. At that time I was speaking to Maria Katsaris by the Ape cage, this was opposite the house of Joyce Touchette; before this while I was at the pavilion someone asked me to get some water for Jim Jones and I went to the stage where the girl was singing and dancing and collected a glass of water and gave [it] to Johnny Jones. I think Johnny Jones asked me to get a glass of water for Marceline Jones. I passed on this message to a Nurse and left going towards the radio room after Maria Katsaris called me. Myself, my brother, Michael Carter went into the room next to the radio room, she asked [for] my help and that of my brother to assist [Mike] Prokes to carry a heavy suitcase. She told me to take my suitcase to West House after I changed my clothes. I went home, changed my clothes, collected my M.T. [empty?] suitcase which I gave to a girl named Carolyn Clayton [Layton] at West House. Her sister Ann Elizabeth Moore spoke to me. She asked me to find Maria Katsaris and asked her (Maria Katsaris) whether John Stoen and Kimo Layton should go to the pavilion also. I went back in the direction of the pavilion, met Maria Katsaris gave her the message and she told me to tell Ann Elizabeth Moore to leave them there for the time being. I heard the word
[Page 37 of inquest]
“Suicide”. I became afraid and went over to the pavilion to see what was going on. I went over to the kitchen to collect some water; while there I heard wailing and crying coming from the direction of the pavilion. I went over to the pavilion I saw between 10 to 15 bodies on the ground. I saw two lines behind the pavilion and appearing to be going up in some direction. I saw mothers kneeling down holding their children crying. I saw my wife kneeling down holding my son crying. I went over to her and saw the child dead. I hugged her and told her I love you. The place; it was agony. While I was holding my wife she went into convulsions and I assumed she had taken the poison. At this point I left the pavilion and went back to West House. When I got there I saw my brother Michael Carter and Mike Prokes with the said suitcase I had given to Carolyn Layton. I then left with them behind the kitchen, passed the generator, crossed the road and went at the end of the Banana Grove. The suitcase was very heavy, when we got there we buried some money, took some and put some in money belts. My brother wore one and I wore one. From there we went to the chicken area where we deposited the money in a chicken feed bag and left the suitcase. In the suitcase was a letter addressed to the Soviet Embassy, Georgetown. As we were going we were talking and I told Prokes and my brother about what I saw at the pavilion, Prokes said our destination is at the Embassy. I spent about half hour at the chicken farm and I left in the direction of Jonestown road, I did not see any vehicle going towards Jonestown on leaving. While we were walking we were trying to avoid being seen as much as possible. We reached the Railway line and after resting a few times we finally reached Port Kaituma. I was going to the Police station at Port Kaituma. The whole thing was so unreal. I know the “Cudjoe” would normally be there. We stopped under the light by a guard who had a gun and took us to a Police outpost 20 yards away. I made a report and Police took everything they found on me. I had no firearm. I had my passport. There were five passports. Two passports were with the letter which was addressed to Soviet Embassy. They were in an envelope. I saw them make a note in a book. On Monday 20th November, 1978 I went back with Police to Jonestown. I identified about 20 to 25 bodies to the Police. They were in the vicinity of the pavilion and not in the area where my son and wife were. I saw a lot of guns piled up in front of the radio room. I was identifying the
[page 38 of inquest]
bodies with Odell Rhodes and my brother. In the afternoon I with my brother and a Party of Police went to the banana field and there we recovered the money we buried.
Cross-examined: None.
Q. by members of the Jury: None.
Timothy J. Carter.
Taken by me and read over to the above-named witness who declared the name to be correct signed at the Court at Matthews Ridge on this 16th day of December, 1978 the witness and I being all present together at the time of the reading and signing hereof.
M.E. Bacchus,
Magistrate & Coroner,
North West Magisterial District.
I am a Security Guard in the employ of the Matarakai Development Authority at Port Kaituma. On Saturday 18th November, 1978 I heard something I reported for duty that said night and I was partially around the guardhouse. I saw three persons passing down at the Waterfront I ran and called Durga Persaud. I ran then about three rods from the Security Guard room. They were passing going towards the waterfront. I called Durga Persaud and he and Paul Adams returned with the said three men. Paul Adams took from them all their possessions including two revolvers, a quantity of money, $48,300.00 US currency and $974 (G.) currency; all these things Police took possession of; Paul Adams also took five passports from them.
Cross-examined: None.
Q. by members of the Jury: None.
Gilbert Gomes.
Taken by me and read over to the above-named witness who declared the name to be correct signed at the Court at Matthews Ridge on this 16th day of December, 1978 the witness and I being all present together at the time of the reading and signing hereof.
M.E. Bacchus,
Magistrate & Coroner,
North West Magisterial District.
[page 39 of inquest]
I am a Citizen of the United States of America and used to live at 1859 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, United States of America; the premises of the People’s Temple. I became a member of the People’s Temple in 1972. In August, 1977 I came to Guyana. I spent a week in Georgetown on my arrival then went to Jonestown. When I got there I found about 650 to 700 settlers. One of my jobs was to purchase and supply spare parts for the Agriculture machinery. I also worked as a School Teacher, teaching Night school students. I taught English to children in their Mid-teens. I also worked in the Cassava Crew. If I wanted to leave Jonestown I had to have a pass signed by one of the three persons: John Jones, Harriet Tropp or Carolyn Layton. On Friday 17th November, 1978 at about 4 PM I went to Port Kaituma Air Strip with four or five other settlers to welcome Congressman Ryan and his Party. I took into the settlement Congressman Ryan, his aide [Jackie Speier], Durga [U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Richard Dwyer], and a man from the Ministry of Information in Guyana along with Mark Lane and Charles Gairy. Congressman Ryan after he was introduced he began to interview settlers. Jim Jones was in the pavilion talking to members of the News Media who came into Jonestown between half hour to one hour after. There was a dinner and show that night, everything appeared to be in order that night. Congressman Ryan and his aide stayed at Jonestown that night while the other members of the News Media went away and came back the next day. The next day about Midday, Mr. Dryer [Dwyer] reported that four to six settlers wished to leave eventually 15 to 16 settlers turned up to leave with the Congressman and his party. The Congressman and his party left the settlement about 4 PM on 18th November, 1978. After they left Maria Katsaris came rushing up to me telling me that a bunch of settlers [had] gone to get Ryan and the situation is out of control and asked me to go down to her home and wait. This was the West House where Jim Jones lived. I did so. Tim Carter then came with a suitcase and handed same to someone at the door. Tim Carter then left to carry a message, Maria Katsaris spoke to me again saying she would be out in a few minutes. About 15 minutes after she came out with suitcase and left same with me and asked me to wait for the Carters. She again went in and said she would be back out. She came out again and met myself and Michael Carter whom she gave each a revolver and passports. She gave three passports. Those passports belong to myself, Mike Carter, and Tim
[page 40 of inquest]
Carter. She was frantic and told me there was a lot of money here, take it to the Embassy. Tim then came up and we left. Over the public address system I heard a meeting was summoned and this was before I reached Jim Jones’ house. We went behind the kitchen, passed a generator, crossed the road into a field. We stopped in the banana field as the suitcase was too heavy. There in the banana field we buried some money about 8 to 10 plastic packs. There were jewelry in small boxes; there were also two money belts. There were two letters addressed to the Soviet Embassy. In one of the envelopes were typewritten papers and the other letter also typewritten. There are also two passports in the suitcase, one was in the name of an old lady and the other I did not look at. I knew it was an old lady from the picture in the passport. We then went to livestock area and there we deposited money into a chicken feed bag and left the suitcase there. We got some water, rested and left and when along road to Port Kaituma. We were going to turn ourselves in, but were seized by a guard (armed) and taken to Police Station at Port Kaituma. Everything we had on us were seized by the Police. On Monday 20th November, 1978 I went back to Jonestown with a Party of Policeman and showed Police where the money was and helped recover money. I am 31 years of age unmarried.
Cross-examined: None.
Q. by members of the Jury: None.
At this stage witness states: that when Maria Katsaris said there was lots of money in there she also added there were letters for the Embassy.
Cross-examined: None.
Q. by members of the Jury: None.
Michael Prokes
Taken by me and read over to the above-named witness who declared the name to be correct signed at the Court at Matthews Ridge on this 16th day of December, 1978 the witness and I being all present together at the time of the reading and signing hereof.
M.E. Bacchus,
Magistrate & Coroner,
North West Magisterial District.
[Guyana Inquest, 17 December 1978]
GUYANA – TO WIT. – (stamp [unreadable]30JAN79[unreadable])
Coroner’s ord chap 13
County of Essequibo [unreadable stamp]
Minutes of an inquisition taken and held at Matthews Ridge, North West District [words crossed out] in County aforesaid, on the 17th day of December, 1978 upon the body of James W. Jones et al [words crossed out] dead, before one of the Coroners of [words crossed out] the State of Guyana and following good Men constituting a Jury, viz:
(1) Albert A. Graham (Foreman)
(2) Charles Hinds
(3) Ivelav Worrel
(4) Leam Pocle
(5) Prince Glasgow
The Jury being duly sworn, [words crossed out] in the presence of the Coroner, when the following Witnesses were called and examined –
(1) Herbert Newell of MacAllister St., San Francisco
(2) A.C.C. Roberts of C.I.D. Eve Leary
[Page 42 of inquest]
I lived at MacAllister Street, San Francisco, United States of America. I am an engineer member of the People’s Temple Organization. I came to Guyana in March, 1978 and went up to Jonestown three days after. It was in the said month. I remember Friday 17th November, 1978 when Congressman Ryan and his party arrived at Jonestown. There was an entertainment on that night of 17th November, 1978. Tim Knight [Night] Jones about 19 years of age came and told me that I and Clifford Grig [Gieg] were to take the boat “Cudjoe” and go to Kumaka. I got the impression that Tim Knight Jones was told by someone to pass this message on to me as he had no authority as far as I know to do so. The “Cudjoe” at that time was more at Port Kaituma. Ed Cranishan [Crenshaw] drove the truck which took myself and Clifford Grig to Kumaka. Clifford Grig was Captain and I was engineer. We left Jonestown about 8:30 in the morning on 18th November, 1978 for Port Kaituma. We took our luggage with us. We reached Port Kaituma about 9:30 AM. We checked the engine and left Port Kaituma around 10 AM and reached Kumaka about 3:45 PM on that said day 16th [18th] November, 1978. I was told to wait until the next day I then take the boat back to Port Kaituma. We remained there until about 12 o’clock that night when the Guyana Defense Force took charge of the boat and took us to Mabaruma Police Station. We had planned to leave Kumaka about 9 o’clock on the morning of the 19th November, 1978 for Kaituma. There was a V.E.F. set on the “Cudjoe”. Clifford Grig could operate the set; the set had a lanted [limited?] range and could not reach any place in the world. The set name was “Pacer”. At the settlement was my mother Hazel [Hazle] Newell 51 years of age. I see this document; exhibit “A8” No. 377; the person recorded is my mother, Shirley Edwards my sister she also died at Jonestown, her age about 28 years old. On the said exhibit “A8” the name listed as No. 374 should be Christopher Newell and not Christopher Rewell. Carl Newell age about 16 years, Allan Newell about 14 years old. Jennifer about 12 years old, Isaac Edwards my nephew age about five years old, all of these persons were alive on 18th November, 1978 when I left Jonestown and was at Jonestown. I never went back to Jonestown.
Cross-examined: None.
Q. by members of the Jury: None.
Herbert Newell.
Taken by me and read over to the above-named witness who declared the name to be correct signed at the Court at Matthews Ridge on this 16th day of December, 1978 the witness and I being all present together at the time of the reading and signing hereof.
[page 43 of inquest]
M.E. Bacchus,
Magistrate & Coroner,
North West Magisterial District.
This witness has been recalled to get further evidence in this matter.
CECIL ALEXANDER ROBERTS Re-Sworn States:
During my search at Jonestown between 18th and 20th of November, 1978 the total Guyana Currency found $137,661.69 & US currency $634,867.47 & $20.98 of Trinidad currency was found also. Between the 1st and 3rd December, 1978 in consequence of information received I recovered a further sum $296,500 US currency and $11,898 (G.) currency. This money was found at Port Kaituma. The money was found in the vicinity of a train line two and a half miles from Port Kaituma. I also found in my search at Jonestown this diary which was referred to in my evidence in chief. This diary was found at the side, 1 foot from the head of Ann Elizabeth Moore. I also found a firearm right next to the body of the said Ann Elizabeth Moore, the said firearm was covered in blood. It was a “Ruger” .357 Magnum, the firearm could have caused injury to the said Ann Elizabeth Moore. This is the said firearm tendered, admitted and marked exhibit “H”. Magnum firearm is one of the most powerful handgun manufactured in the world. Fingerprints could not be lifted from same as it was covered in blood. I also found this Organizational chart tendered, admitted and marked exhibit J. Witness reads names recorded thereon. Some of the persons whose names figure on exhibit J are alive namely: Charles Touchette and Lee Ingram to my knowledge. This is the set diary tendered, admitted and marked exhibit “K”. This diary is signed Annie Moore. This is the passport of the said Annie Moore called Ann Elizabeth Moore tendered, admitted and marked “L”. Date of birth was recorded on exhibit “L” May 12th, 1954. While at Jonestown I also recovered a set of tapes about 300, they are none considered classified. Among the things found on the witnesses Timothy Carter, Michael Carter and Mike Prokes were letters and passports. There were five passports. Three passports
[page 44 of inquest]
referred to the said Carters and Prokes, the other two passports referred to Maria Katsaris whose dead body I saw in the West House and the other passport refers to Annie Jane McGowan. She is included in exhibit A12 No. 534. These are the said two passports tender, admitted and marked exhibits “K\1 and K2”. I also found some letters in their possession, six signed letters. This is the first letter, “Katsaris letter” tendered, admitted and marked exhibit “N”. Witness reads letter. The two witnesses and writer of exhibit “N” are all dead. The next letter is in duplicate, these are the documents tendered, admitted and marked exhibits “O1 to O2”. The signature on this exhibit O1 to O2 appears to be away from where the normal position of such signature. The next, this is the said document tendered, admitted and marked exhibit “P”. Witness reads document. The signature appears right at the bottom. This is the next letter tendered, admitted and marked exhibit “Q”. Witness reads document; two cards on this document. This other document is an exact original copy of exhibit “P” tender, admitted and marked exhibit “R”. This is also another letter tendered, admitted and marked exhibit “S”. This document is unsigned. A gun was found .38 about 20 to 25 yards from where the dead body of Jim Jones laid.
Cross-examined: None.
Q. by members of the Jury: None.
By Coroner: This is also a larger agricultural chart which I founded Jonestown during my investigation tendered, admitted and marked exhibit “T”.
Cross-examined: None.
Q. by members of the Jury: None.
C.A. Roberts.
Taken by me and read over to the above-named witness who declared the name to be correct signed at the Court at Matthews Ridge on this 16th day of December, 1978 the witness and I being all present together at the time of the reading and signing hereof.
M.E. Bacchus,
Magistrate & Coroner,
North West Magisterial District.
[Page 45 of inquest]
Court Prosecutor states there is no other witness to be called as Clifford Grig has left Guyana.
Case for the State closed.
Matter returned to 20th December, 1978.
M.E. Bacchus,
Magistrate & Coroner,
17.12.78
Time 1.30 p.pm.
[Page 46 of inquest]
22/12/78
Mr. E. A. Romac asked leave of this Court to have the witness named Cecil Roberts A.C.C. recalled.
Leave granted.
CECIL ROBERTS Re-Sworn States:
This is a further document which I got from the United States Embassy in Guyana in respect to the dead bodies that were taken from Guyana on Monday in Mortuary in the United States of America. I now say that I observed what appeared to be a gunshot wound on an unidentified body of a Caucasian male of about 6 feet tall in a room described to me Odell Rhodes as a psychiatric ward. That body was one of the four that I had mentioned in my evidence. This is the said document I got from United States Embassy in Georgetown tendered, admitted and marked exhibit “A14”.
Cross-examined: None.
Q. by members of the jury: I saw no gun in the said room where this body was found with gunshot wound.
C.A. Roberts.
Taken by me and read over to the above-named witness who declared the name to be correct signed at the Court at Matthews Ridge on this 16th day of December, 1978 the witness and I being all present together at the time of the reading and signing hereof.
M.E. Bacchus,
Magistrate & Coroner,
North West Magisterial District.
[Page 47 of inquest]
Court Prosecutor states: Evidence closed.
M.E. Bacchus,
Magistrate & Coroner,
22.12.78
[Page 48 of inquest]
Magistrates’ Office,
Avenue of the Republic,
Georgetown, Guyana
30th January, 1979.
Dear Sir,
With reference to your letter dated January 22nd, 1979, I forward hereunder the information requested.
(i) The legal authority would be found in the laws of Guyana (Coroners Act, Chapter 4:03). The purpose of the inquest as to ascertain for and on behalf of the State, when where how and what manner the deceased came to his/her death.
(ii) The inquest was held on six (6) days.
(iii) The number of witnesses called is fourteen (14).
(iv) The evidence of the Senior Government Bacteriologist and Pathologist Dr. L. Mootoo; the evidence given by the witnesses together with the summing up of the Coroner.
I trust that I have answered your questions.
Yours faithfully,
[illegible signature]
Principal Clerk of Court.
Principal Clerk of the Court.
Georgetown Magisterial District
Mr. T. Dennis Reece,
Third Secretary/ Vice Consul,
Embassy of the United States of America,
Georgetown.
[Page 49 of inquest]
COURT OF ARMS BY GUYANA INQUISITION.
Form No. 6.
Coroners Ord.
Chapter 13, Sec. 34.
GUYANA
County of Essequibo
An inquisition taken at Matthews Ridge Magistrate’s Court Room in the State of Guyana in the said Territory, on the 22nd day of December in the Year of Our Lord 1978 before me one of the Coroners of the State of Guyana aforesaid, upon the oaths of:
(1) Albert A. Graham (Foreman)
(2) Charles Hinds
(3) Ivelav Worrel
(4) Leam Pocle
(5) Prince Glasgow
good and lawful men who being then and their duly sworn and charge to inquire for the State of Guyana when, where, how and after what manner James Warren Jones et al on the 18th day of November, 1978, at Jonestown, North West District came to their death from Jim Jones died from gunshot wounds. Ann Elizabeth Moore gunshot wounds. Unidentified person gunshot also. 914 persons died by acute cyanide poison. Some persons or persons unknown is responsible for the death of James Warren Jones. Jim Warren Jones and persons unknown our criminally responsible for the deaths of the 910 persons. Ann Elizabeth Moore committed suicide and Maria Katsaris drank the brew voluntarily she committed suicide. In respect to the death of the unidentified person an open verdict is returned.
In Witness thereof as well as the said Coroner as the Jurors aforesaid have here unto set their Hands, the 22nd day of December, 1978.
M.E. Bacchus,
Magistrate & Coroner,
North West Magisterial District.
(1) Albert A. Graham (Foreman)
(2) Charles Hinds
(3) Ivelav Worrel
(4) Leam Pocle
(5) Prince Glasgow