Q687 Summary

Summary prepared by Fielding M. McGehee III. If you use this material, please credit The Jonestown Institute. Thank you.

To return to the Tape Index, click here.
To read the Tape Transcript, click here. Listen to MP3 (Side 1, Side 2).

FBI Catalogue            Miscellaneous

FBI preliminary tape identification note: One Tracs 60 / “JJ Protest…” 3×5 card attached

Date cues on tape:     September 9, 1976 (specified)

People named:           
Public figures/National and international names:

William Farr, jailed newsman for Fresno Bee

Bible verses cited:      None

Summary:

The tape consists of several televised newscasts reporting on the demonstrations led by Peoples Temple which protested the jailing of four newsmen in Fresno, California. The reporters had refused to reveal their source for leaked grand jury documents.

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 23, 1979, Special Agent (name deleted) reviewed the tape numbered 1B62 #119. This tape was found to contain the following:

Side A consisted of a Channel 5 news broadcast being recorded on September 9, 1976, regarding 600 People’s Temple Christian Church people that picketed the Fresno County Courthouse to protest the jailing of 4 reporters that refused to reveal how they obtained information contained in a sealed grand jury report. Side B consisted of a radio broadcast requesting suggestions, ideas and endorsements for a community based program. Most of this side was blank.

Nothing was contained thereon which was considered to be of evidentiary nature or beneficial to the investigation of Congressman RYAN.

Differences with FBI Summary:

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

Tape originally posted May 2013