[Editor’s note: This document was released both as a State Department cable as part of its 1981 FOIA release, and as Serial 1854 of the FBI’s RYMUR release.]
UNCLASSIFIED FBB 817
[Listing of agencies receiving informational copies on pdf]
0 051303Z FEB 79
FM AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8094 [8904]
UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 0549
E.O. 12065: NA
TAGS: CARR, (BEIKMAN, CHARLES), (JONES, STEPHAN), (PEOPLE’S TEMPLE)
SUBJ: W/W ARRESTS: CHARLES BEIKMAN, STEPHAN JONES.
REF: GEORGETOWN 0496
1. Four witnesses testified for the prosecution during the Feb. 1 session of the preliminary inquiry into the deaths of Linda Sharon Amos (a.k.a. Sharon Amos) et al. Dr. Cyril Leslie Mootoo, who performed autopsies on the deceased, gave the findings of the external examinations. Cross-examination was deferred by the defense until Feb. 2. A police constable who accompanied Stephanie Jones to the hospital on Nov. 19 testified. Stephanie Jones gave unsworn testimony concerning her experience on the night of the murders. Because her testimony in the examination conflicted with signed statements she made to the police on Nov. 18 and 19, Magistrate Persaud allowed State Cons [likely errant word] Counsel [Carlton] Weithers to cross-examine her regarding the inconsistencies. She was then cross-examined by senior counsel Rex McKay. Magistrate Desmon [Desmond] Christian, who presided over the first preliminary inquiry into the deaths of Harris, et al., testified concerning the confession made by Stephan Jones in court on Dec. 18. He was cross-examined by McKay.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 GEORGE 00549 051420Z
2. Prosecution plans to conclude its case at the next session, Feb. 2. Magistrate Persaud has not yet ruled on the admissibility of Beikman’s second statement.
Burke [John Burke, American ambassador to Guyana]