[Editor’s note: One of the subjects of this serial whose name is deleted is Jonestown survivor Diane Rozynko, better known as Diane Louie, who left on the “picnic” with Richard Clark and several others on the morning of November 18, 1978. Other members of the picnic party whose names were deleted – and who are listed here – are also included. The deleted information from the memorandum – designated by brackets – which is known to the editor is indicated by red type. In addition, many of the FBI interviews summarized in the FD-302s of the RYMUR investigation deleted the verb following the deleted name of the interview subject; most oftentimes, that word was “advised,” and the word has accordingly been supplied]
FD-302
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Date of transcription 12/6/78
[Name deleted] [Diane Rozynko Louie], member of People’s Temple, Jonestown, Guyana, was interviewed at the John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFKIA), Hangar 17, Queens, New York (NY). [Louie was] advised of the identities of the interviewing agents and the nature of the interview. [Louie] provided the following information regarding the People’s Temple and the Jonestown facility.
She joined the People’s Temple on Gary [Geary] Boulevard in San Francisco in 1973, along with her husband, [2 lines deleted]. She joined the People’s Temple because she believed it offered her and her family a better life. A life of helping others and community involvement. [Louie advised] she felt she could satisfy her professional and personal needs best through the People’s Temple.
In March of 1978 her and her family moved to Jonestown. They had talked about moving for some time, but when they received a letter from her sister [2 lines deleted] telling how beautiful and perfect Jonestown was, she and her husband decided to go. They took very few personal belongings and flew to Jonestown at the expense of the People’s Temple. She never turned any money or possessions over to the People’s Temple at any time.
Upon arriving in Jonestown, assuming the position of [several words deleted] she knew it was not what she had expected it to be. She and her husband were forced to live in a 12 by 16 hut with seven other couples. Her children were taken from her and forced to live in a different hut with other children. Her diet consisted of rice three times a day and she lost approximately 60 pounds while in Jonestown. The medical care was good when you could receive it.
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The People’s Temple compound in Jonestown was directed by force, violence, and intimidation. Temple members who disagreed with Temple policy or rules were either ridiculed or beaten in front of the entire temple population at the “Pavilion” (central hut). Often after the ridicule or beating, they were forced to work in the fields day and night without rest. Those temple members who attempted to escape through the jungle were usually caught by members of the security force, brought before the temple members at the “Pavilion”, ridiculed or beaten, and placed into the “extended care unit” (ECU), where they were administered the drug Thorazine on a daily basis until they were willing to comply with temple policy. One temple member, name unknown, who attempted to escape, was kept in the ECU unit for two months under drug influence. When she returned to her normal duties, she was a vegetable. She remembers Reverend Jones telling a temple member, Johnny Franklin, the only way to live Jonestown was in a box.
On one occasion, a temple member was accused of adultery. In front of the temple members at the “Pavilion”, he was forced to strip and begin to have sexual relations with a female member; however, this was not carried out.
The temple members were constantly being summoned by a drill called “Alert”. The “Alert” was announced over a loudspeaker system, and everyone was to report to a specific location for a specific assignment. “Alerts” were normally called when someone was entering the compound, someone had escaped, or whenever Reverend Jones wanted to get the temple members together. There was usually one alert a week. Oftentimes after an alert was announced, they would be directed to the Pavilion over the loudspeaker system, where Jones would speak to them.
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If a visitor was coming into the compound, the temple members would, “clean it up” for the benefit of the guest. The temple members would act and talk as if they wanted to be there, and how beautiful everything was until the guest left.
Jones first mentioned mass suicide in her presence approximately five months ago. Jones felt that if outsiders attempted to expose the temple, he had enough guns and people to hold them off. If not, Reverend Jones felt mass suicide was better for temple members than the humiliation and agony they would receive from outsiders.
On one occasion at the Pavilion, Reverend Jones polled the temple members to see how many would voluntarily commit suicide. Approximately 70 percent of the temple members raised their hands; those that did not were brought before the group and ridiculed. Many people, she believes, raised their hands to avoid going in front of the temple members. She feels many people were forced to drink the poison Kool-Aid, since many at the polling raised their hands out of fear.
Prior to her arrival at Jonestown, she heard of a practice mass suicide where everyone drank Kool-Aid that they were told was poison; however, she never saw or participated in a practice mass suicide.
On the Friday before the arrival of Congressman Ryan and his party, Jones called an “Alert”. Instead of going to the Pavilion as normal, everyone made a circle around the perimeter of the compound. They remained in the circle for short time, and then went to the Pavilion. Reverend Jones told them that Ryan and his party were coming without permission. Jones instructed everyone to return to their hut. During this time, she observed Mark Lane and Charles Garry on the temple grounds. She had seen them before on other occasions. The next day, [several words deleted related to Richard Clark] (which is the day Congressman Ryan was due to arrive) tells her it’s time to escape. They had discussed
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escape before, but on this occasion, [line deleted] left the complex about 6:30 AM and said they were going on a picnic to the “piggery” (where pigs and chickens were kept). Once at the “piggery”, they were able to slip into the jungle and walk 22 miles to a train. During their escape through the jungle, they ran into other members of the People’s Temple; [2 lines related to Johnny Franklin and Robert Paul deleted]. The train stopped and carried them 15 additional miles to Matthews Ridge, where they contacted the Guyana Police at approximately 7 PM. The police informed them of the Ryan incident and the beginning of a mass suicide. The next day, they were flown to Georgetown.
[Louie] denied any prior knowledge of a conspiracy or plot to assassinate Congressman Ryan, and her escape on the day Ryan arrived was coincidental.
During her time in Jonestown, certain members of the People’s Temple were allowed to carry weapons. These individuals were known as the Security Force, and carried long barreled weapons, bows and arrows, and crossbows. On occasions, she heard shooting from the jungle, but has no knowledge of firearms training and has never heard of the term, “Angels”. She has no knowledge of weapons or money being cached anywhere.
She knows Paula Adams, who was personal secretary to Reverend Jones and a radio operator. She believes Adams was sexually involved with Guyanese officials, however, she could offer no specific information in this regard.
She has no knowledge of the following:
Contingency plans for retaliation by temple members, any officials targeted for assassination, assassination of the Ryan party, existence of an assassination squad or assassination plan, relocation plan in the event of a mass suicide, written or oral oaths signed by members of the People’s Temple, or a nuclear device of any kind.
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She believes that certain individuals at Jonestown were wanted for criminal offenses in the United States (US), but she could give no specific information regarding the identity of these individuals or the basis for her belief.
On one occasion, she recalls that an official from the Soviet Embassy in Georgetown visited the temple compound and spoke to the temple members regarding how beautiful Jonestown was. In addition, a Soviet doctor was examining Jones and she believes he told Reverend Jones he had emphysema and a heart condition. Reverend Jones was taking certain medication prescribed by the doctor. She could not provide the name or position of either of these Soviet officials. Reverend Jones, she felt, was using drugs a great deal in the last two months to the point he could hardly walk. Reverend Jones often talked of going to Russia or Cuba if attacked or exposed, and talk of how Russia and Cuba looked after its people. Reverend Jones constantly denounced the US.
While in San Francisco, she heard that the Lieutenant Governor of California [Mervyn Dymally] had visited the Jonestown facility and knew he was a supporter of the People’s Temple, but this was the extent of her knowledge regarding the Lieutenant Governor or other California officials.
Doctor [Laurence] Schacht, the Jonestown doctor, was extremely disliked by Temple members in Jonestown. He was a homosexual and was involved in homosexual relations with Reverend Jones. Schacht received his medical degree from Mexico, and did his internship at San Francisco General Hospital. Schacht’s entire education from undergraduate school through medical school was paid for [by] the People’s Temple.
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She had no knowledge regarding the acquisition of the poison, Schacht’s awareness of a contingency plan, or Schacht’s friends or associates in the US.
She felt that Phyllis Chaken [Chaikin], Administrator of the Hospital, might have assisted in the administering of the poison, since she was faithful to Reverend Jones.
The only drug she was aware of was Thorazine, and she remembers Reverend Jones constantly speaking of a shortage of drugs and medication. She has no knowledge regarding the production, distribution or receipt of drugs at Jonestown. She had no access to drugs as Assistant Administrator of the hospital.
In regard to the manufacturing and selling of toy dolls, she knew they were produced at the Pavilion by 20 to 30 temple members working in two shifts. The production was approximately 3000 dolls a month, and was supervised by Ruby Carroll. To her knowledge, the dolls were sold in Georgetown, and she has no information regarding narcotics being transported in the dolls.
The following individuals were described as bodyguards of Reverend Jones; however, the only weapons she observed them carrying were machetes: Jimmy Jones – son of Reverend Jones, Johnny Cobb Jones – son of Reverend Jones, Billy Oliver, Bruce Oliver, Calvin Douglas. Two of these individuals were with Jones at all times. During meetings in the Pavilion, Jones would motion to his bodyguards and they would strike an individual. She remembers a Christine Miller protested this treatment at a meeting and was slapped.
The following people were on the Planning Commission, an appointed body by Jones who planned temple activities and direction: Rene Kize [Renee Kice], Larry Layton – completely loyal to Reverend Jones, Johnny Jones, Jr. – describe as the right-hand man to Jones, Carolyn Layton, (First Name Unknown) Troop [Sarah Tropp] – white female, Dick Troop – husband [brother] of (First Name Unknown) Troop.
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Johnny Jones, Jr., Carolyn Layton, (First Name Unknown) Troop, were the most influential members the Planning Commission, and she felt they were the decision-making group.
The following individuals were radio operators and very trusted by Jones: Sandy Jones, Terry Jones, Paula Adams, Lee Ingram, Shanda James.
During the last two weeks prior to the Ryan assassination, she wasn’t sure of the identity of the radio operators; however, these individuals were the key radio operators. She was aware that code was used in the radio transmissions, but could provide no specific information regarding the code.
She provided information regarding the following temple members;
Steve [Stephan] Jones – believes he was a member of the Planning Commission – described as a white male, 19 years of age, 6 feet to 6’5″ tall, thin build, long blonde hair, mustache, no scars or marks, present location Georgetown House;
Tim Tupper – member of the Security Force – described as a white male, 20 to 21 years of age, 5 feet 7 to 5 feet 8 inches tall, medium build, blonde medium length hair, present location unknown;
Tim Jones – member of the Security Force – described as a white male, 20 years of age, 6 feet tall, medium build, blonde, shoulder-length hair, mustache, present location Georgetown House;
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Jim Jones, Jr. Jones – member of Security Force – black male, 18 years of age, 6 feet tall, thin build, black short hair, clean-shaven, present location Georgetown;
Lou [Lew] Jones – position in temple unknown – Oriental, age 20, 5’4″, thin build, black medium hair, clean-shaven, present location deceased;
Calvin Douglas – member of Security Force – black male, 20 years of age, 6 feet tall, thin build, black short hair, present location believed to be Georgetown;
Johnny Cobb Jones – member of Security Force – described as a black male, 18 years of age, 6 feet tall, thin build, black short Afro, present location Georgetown;
Johnny Jones, Jr. – Planning Commission – described as right-hand man to Reverend Jones – described as a black male, 30 years of age, 5’10”, thin build, short black Afro, present location unknown;
Doug Sanders – member of Security Force – described as a black male, 25 to 26 years of age, 5’10” tall, medium build, black short Afro, clean-shaven, location unknown;
Jim Macabone [McElvane] – she believes a member of Planning Commission – black male, 40s, 6’5″, medium build, black short Afro, location unknown;
Herbert Newel [Newell] – position unknown – black male, late 20s, 5’9″ tall, medium build, black short Afro, mustache, believed to be dead;
Stanley Gieg – member of Security Force – white male, early 20s, no further description, present location believed to be dead;
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Joe Wilson – member of Security Force – described as a black male, 20s, 5’9″, thin build, very short black Afro, no scars or marks, clean-shaven, believed to be dead;
Don Sly – member of Security Force – white male, 20 years of age, blonde hair shoulder-length, 5’7″ tall, thin build, mustache, she believes him to be dead;
Lee Ingram – member of Planning Commission – black male, early 30s, 5’10”, thin build, black hair, balding on top, clean-shaven, location Georgetown;
Chris O’Neal [O’Neill] – attempted to leave with the Ryan party – witness to the shooting – described as a white male, 5’7″, age 20s, thin build, brown haired shoulder length, clean-shaven, present location Georgetown;
Brenda Parks – wife [girlfriend] of Chris O’Neal – witness to shooting trying to live with Ryan party – no description;
Yvette Jones – married to Jimmy Jones – sister of Sandra Evans;
Paula Adams – personal secretary to Reverend Jones, radio operator – described as white female, early 30s, blonde hair;
Monica Bagby – eyewitness to shooting – believed to be in hospital in Georgetown;
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Debbie Touchette – very close and loyal to Reverend Jones – believed to be in Georgetown;
Tim Carter – known as public relations man for Reverend Jones – believed to be in Georgetown;
Michael Carter – brother of Tim Carter – very close and loyal to Reverend Jones – believed to be in Georgetown;
Michael Prokes – known to her as public relations man for Reverend Jones – believed to be in Georgetown;
Terry [Terri] Buford – very loyal and trusted member of Jones’ staff – believe that she returned to the US sometime ago – described as a white female, approximately 30 years of age;
Sandy Bradshaw – has heard of Sandy Bradshaw but could describe no specific information in regard to her position or description.
The following information was obtained [about Diane Louie]
[Editor’s note: Balance of page 10 and entirety of page 11 giving description, occupation, education, and relatives completely deleted]