Q680 Summary

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           Miscellaneous

FBI preliminary tape identification note: One unlabeled (two illegible words) in envelope

Date cues on tape:    August 1977, after publication of New West article

People named:

Peoples Temple members:
Mike Prokes

Public figures/National and international names:
Phil Tracy, reporter, co-author of New West story
Betty Ann Bruno, TV news reporter
Jim Clancy, TV news reporter

Temple adversaries; members of Concerned Relatives:
Deanna Mertle, aka Jeannie Mills (by reference)
Linda Mertle (by reference)
Linda Swaney, aka Linda Dunn

Bible verses cited:      None

Summary:

(Note: This tape was transcribed by Vicki Perry. The editors gratefully acknowledge her invaluable assistance.)

Following the publication of the New West exposé of Peoples Temple in August 1977, numerous television stations picked up the story and interviewed Temple members – principally former, disaffected members – about their experiences in the church. Channel 2 in San Francisco launched a series of investigative reports. This was the first. The series continues on Tapes Q 681 and Q 665.

FBI Summary:

Date of transcription: 3/29/79

In connection with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 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 2, 1979, Special Agent (name deleted) reviewed the tape numbered 1B62-4. This tape was found to contain the following:

News program regarding People’s Temple abuse of members. Woman speaking against homosexual teachers.

Differences with FBI Summary:

The summary is accurate and meets the FBI’s purposes.

Tape originally posted March 2010