[Editor’s note: The FBI withheld one line from this cable under the B6 Exemption to the Freedom of Information Act. The deleted information is indicated below in green type.]
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
COMMUNICATION MESSAGE FORM
DATE: 1/16/79
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLAS
PRECEDENCE: IMMEDIATE
FM DIRECTOR FBI
TO FBI SAN FRANCISCO (IMMEDIATE)
BT
UNCLAS
RYMUR
For information San Francisco, legal attaché Robert Oglesby currently assigned American Embassy, Georgetown, Guyana, advised instant date Government of Guyana (GOG) granted permission for FBI to interview remaining survivors of Peoples Temple (PT) in Guyana with the exception of Charles Beikman, Lawrence [Laurence] John Layton, and Jim Jones, Jr. [Stephan Jones], in view of pending prosecution by GOG concerning these individuals. In this regard, Oglesby stated certain restrictions have been imposed upon him by GOG concerning the conduct of the above interviews which are: he must invite the individual requested for interview via telephone and all interviews must be conducted in the American consulate.
Oglesby stated during a recent conversation with Dr. Leslie
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Mootoo, who has handled the forensic and pathological aspects of this investigation for GOG, the doctor expressed the opinion which was based upon his analysis of the poisoned mixture taken by members of the PT subsequent to the assassination of Congressman Ryan at Jonestown, that the mixture was prepared the evening before the assassination and that PT members who had medical training of some type were probably involved in the preparation of the mixture. Dr. Mootoo further pointed out that survivor Julius Lee Evans reportedly was by occupation therapy technician and possibly was involved in the preparation of the poisoned mixture.
Oglesby further stated two additional members of the PT, Robin Tschetter and Joan Pursley, are scheduled to return to the United States January 16, 1979, via Pan-American flight number 228 due to arrive JFK Airport, New York City, 6:15 PM. Brooklyn-Queens MRA is aware of their arrival and will handle interviews.
San Francisco locate and interview Julius the evidence through [line deleted] San Francisco, to determine if mixture used in mass suicide at
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Jonestown was prepared the evening before the assassination of Congressman Ryan. If so, develop facts to determine whether or not the mixture was prepared in anticipation of the assassination of Congressman Ryan.
BT