Summary prepared by Fielding M. McGehee III. If you use this material, please credit The Jonestown Institute. Thank you.
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FBI Catalogue : Jones speaking
FBI preliminary tape identification note: One Audio Magnetics 60/ “JJ Message 1/5/75 re: successorship”
Date cues on tape : January 5, 1975 (explicitly stated)
People named:
Terri Buford (present)
Linda Amos (present)
Maria Katsaris (present)
Judy Ijames (present)
Sandy Ingram (present)
Marceline Jones
Carol Stahl (present)
Bible verses cited : None
Summary:
In the early morning hours of January 5, 1975, Jim Jones prepares a last will and testament in the event of his incapacitation or removal from office. It directs followers of Peoples Temple to give all allegiance to his wife, Marceline, who has “strategies” for survival of the movement. Marceline is not present, although six other women are. Jones is periodically confused on dates, and speaks slowly and deliberately, as if he is in pain, in a state of exhaustion, or otherwise semi-incapacitated.
Note: This tape is duplicated in its entirety at Q 587.
FBI Summary:
Date of transcription : 3/14/79
In connection with the Federal Bureau of Investigation¹s investigation into the assassination of U.S. Congressman LEO J. RYAN at Port Kaituma, Guyana, South America, on November 18, 1978, a tape recording was obtained. This tape recording was located in Jonestown, Guyana, South America, and was turned over to U.S. Officials in Guyana and subsequently transported to the United States.
On March 1, 1979, Special Agent (name deleted) reviewed the tape numbered 1B47 #111. This tape was found to contain the following:
Side A: Last will and testament of People¹s Temple Leader JIM JONES with regard to the leadership of People’s Temple in the event of his incapacitation. This was recorded by JONES on January 5, 1975, and identified witnesses present were TERRY BUFFORD, CAROL STOLL, SANDY INGRAM, JUDY IMES, LINDA AMES and MARIA KATZARAS (all phonetic).
Side B: Blank.
Differences with FBI Summary: None
Tape originally posted December 1998