R 030506Z APR 80
FR SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN PRIORITY
UNCLAS STATE 087499
E.O. 12065: N/A
TAGS: CARR (LAYTON, LAURENCE AND BEIKMAN, CHARLES)
SUBJ: ARRESTS LAURENCE LAYTON CHARLES BEIKMAN
REF: (A) GEORGETOWN 2084, (B) GEORGETOWN 1449
1. Following article appeared 4/2 in the Washington Post: Quote
Pleas in Jonestown violence – Georgetown, Guyana – A former People’s Temple member pleaded guilty to attempted murder and second cult member won a trial delay in connection with the 1978 mass suicide-murder at Jonestown. Charles Beikman, 44 who entered a guilty plea, and Larry Layton, 33, who won the postponement, are the only persons charged in the bizarre tragedy that claimed the lives of more than 900 persons at the cult’s Jonestown community November 18, 1978.
Beikman pleaded not guilty to four other counts of murder involving the deaths of cult members staying at a
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PAGE 02 STATE 087499
house here during the tragedy. Unquote.
2. Department appreciates reftels which advise of the requested postponement in Layton case and possible plea in the Beikman case. We have been receiving inquiries requesting confirmation of above stories. Pls [Please] verify and advise.
Vance
UNCLASSIFIED