FF-7 – Affidavits on the Mertles

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AFFIDAVIT

STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

I, the undersigned, depose and say as follows:

On December 30, 1975, at approximately 4:45 AM I answered the pay telephone located in the lobby of the Peoples Temple Church at 1859 Geary Street in San Francisco. A muffled male voice spoke and stated he was Elmer Mertle. He asked to speak to [Eugene] Chaikin (who is one of the attorneys on the staff of the church). I said that if he would give me his phone number I would have Chaikin call him back. He then said never mind, just tell him “Advise him to meet our demands.” I again asked him to give me his telephone number. Then he again repeated what he had said before. Then he hung up. That is all of the conversation that took place.

DATED this 30th day of December, 1975, at San Francisco, California.

/s/ Cleveland Jackson

Subscribed to and sworn before me, a Notary Public in and for the County of Mendocino this 30th day of December, 1975.

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AFFIDAVIT

STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

We, the undersigned, depose and say as follows:

At about 3:10 AM on December 30, 1975 each of us was standing in the front vestibule of the Peoples Temple Church at 1859 Geary Street in San Francisco, or was located in the lobby of the church looking out the peephole onto the street. This is not a usual procedure at the church but since a drunken man had come by that afternoon threatening his wife who is a member, we were keeping a lookout.

At that time each of us saw Deanna Mertle, whom we recognized because each of us had known her for several years, come to the front gate which is of wrought-iron, tried to give a note to the person at the gate, and said “Give this message to the Pastor”, when the note was not accepted she slid it under the gate and left.

DATED this 30th day of December, 1975, at San Francisco, California.

/s/ Johnnie Mae Yates
Cleveland Jackson
Armella Tardy

Subscribed to and sworn before me, a Notary Public in and for the County of Mendocino this 30th day of December, 1975.