Layton spent approximately 18 years in either the Georgetown Gaol in Guyana or U.S. federal prisons before his release in April 2002. TED Conferences 23,395,174 followers 3d "No one will ever pay you what you're worth. Her actions were calm and deliberate. The gunmen walked among the wounded, shooting them at point-blank range, killing Bob Brown, San Francisco Chronicle photographer Greg Robinson, Don Harris, and Leo Ryan, the only U.S. congressman to be assassinated in the line of duty. Mrs. Layton divorced her husband in 1975 and their home on the Berkeley hilltop was sold. Jim Jones. Feeling harassed and more than a little intimidated, Sadie left Southern California altogether and resettled in Oakland. After being airlifted to a U.S. military base in Puerto Rico, he was sent onward on to a hospital in Santa Rosa, California, where his father and brothersall of them armedprotected him from the angels he believed the late Jones would send to finally finish him. He said that one of the supposed defectors was planning to shoot the pilot on the congressman's plane, which would prompt the Guyanese army to invade Jonestown. Christine Miller, 60, a native of Brownsville, Texas, stood to speak. Behind them sat defector Dale Parks and his younger sister. Layton said the temple started out as a civil rights movement and he compared Jones to Martin Luther King Jr., but 'obviously things turned out differently,' he said. I was privileged to be involved in this case for as long as it took to get a just result. When Stephan was informed of his fathers plan, he refused to go along with it, and managed to convince those at the office to follow himexcept for Sharon Amos, who sequestered herself in a bathroom and slit her three childrens throats before ending her own life. He enjoyed playing baseball in Detroit and explained. The first body I saw, the guy had been injected in the temple. I remember my mom saying that even though Aunt Sadie knew what went on in the Peoples Temple, it wasnt Aunt Sadies fault that Pearl was gone. It seemed to be a very similar setup to Jonestown, says Vernon Gosney, recalling a North Korean book he discovered while laid up in the Jonestown infirmary. Instead of acting up or thinking only of himself, Larry had spent his time trying to better himself with study and meditation and helping others at the institutions at which he had been incarcerated. Then a farm tractor hauling a trailer filled with members of Joness security team drove across the runway and stopped, blocking the planes. Mothers were instructed to bring their babies forward. This was really something new. Laurence Laird Layton, a distinguished scientist whose later life was devastated by his family's involvement with the Peoples Temple cult, died Wednesday in his Emeryville home. Years before I had chosen the criminal law because the cases were short and seldom extended over more than a few months, or occasionally a year or so. He had left Mark, his five-year-old son, behind at the colony, planning to come back for him later. "You held us here as slaves and now we are getting out," he said. Encouraged to commit revolutionary suicide, the residents of what had become known as Jonestown lined up to drink from a large metal vat filled with grape Flavor-Aid that Jones and his disciples had spiked with poison. When the community folded three years later, Gosney heard a recruitment commercial for the Maui Police Department. Nobody couldve fucked up my life more than I did., In 1982, Gosney moved to Hawaii, a place he describes as having a lot of different healing modalities., I was just getting sober from alcohol and had stopped anesthetizing myself, and it was very difficult to deal with my issues, he says. Since Larry tried to effect that conspiracy by attempting to kill people at the airstrip, according to the theory, he was part of that conspiracy, as were the persons who actually killed Ryan. Nevertheless, I followed the trial very carefully from my offices just three blocks from the San Francisco federal courthouse. The first to drink the lethal tonic were Ruletta Paul and her one-year-old son, Robert. Carter and his brother Michael, also a Temple member, called their fatherthe only family they had left. Harold Cordell, Edith Bogue, Juanita Bogue, Jerry Parks leaving Jonestown after Congressman Ryan's visit. (AP Photo), Bottles of poison which belonged to members of the Peoples Temple cult, who participated in a mass suicide, Nov. 18, 1978, in Jonestown, Guyana. The Bogue family (except one) left Jonestown on the 18th, and survived the massacre. High-pitched, terrified screams. Four defectors boarded the Cessna after him. "Wait a week or two and I'll give you your passports and $5,000 each.". It was the same when she later moved to Los Angeles in the early 1970s, and a cousin introduced her to the Peoples Temple. There weren't enough seats to fly all 30 people out; some reporters would have to wait until the following day. There was an immediate camaraderie with the other members, and a shared sense of purpose in helping fulfill Joness dream. Though it called itself a church, Carter saw the temple as a kind of political movement. ", On the tape, kids begin to scream. She loved so hard, shes so much more deserving than 71-E. Theres a person behind that number.. Layton Sentenced to Life in Ryan's Death - Los Angeles Times It was just too painful to face myself, to face the loss of my son, my guilt, my remorse, the mistakes I had made. He designed it to be as much a movement as a church, with himself the charismatic figure at its head. Carter would experience similar difficulty finding acceptance. Spirituality continues to play a big role in Gosneys life, though he emphasizes that religion doesnt. He got out in 1968, three days before the Tet Offensive. He stepped onto the small stage at the front and sat in his light-green chair, then reached over to turn on a cassette recorder resting on the table beside him. The third result is Larry Layton age 40s in Indio, CA in the Talavera neighborhood. Im sure Im a deeper person, a more compassionate person, than I wouldve been otherwise.. From left to right are: Ryan, 53; Don Harris, 41, an investigative Reporter for KNBC-TV in Los Angeles; Robert Brown, 36, a cameraman with NBC news; Greg Robinson, 27, a photographer with the San Francisco Examiner. Could I make a case that it wasnt a cult? When the small plane failed to take off at the airfield, Larry shot people in the plane before he was disarmed. Five years later, Judge Peckham himself wrote letters to the parole authorities asking for Larrys release; he died before he could see those efforts through. We can't go back. There was no choice that day. As they watched their children die they began to strain for air themselves. Jones was found on the ground,killedby a gunshot wound to the head. 2023 Alternative Considerations of Jonestown & Peoples Temple, Alternative Considerations of Jonestown and Peoples Temple is a, Layton unnamed in first description of Kaituma shooting. First summary of Kaituma events indicate defectors didnt trust Layton, Reporter Ron Javers describes Layton role in Port Kaituma shooting, Temple defector Phil Kerns describes Layton as psycho, Jones hit man, Temple defector Ruth Kerns states Layton gave them firearms training, Layton among four survivors detained in Georgetown jail, State Situation Report 13 notes that Layton will be arraigned, Death record for Lisa Layton lists Larry Layton as next-of-kin, Guyana immigration records includes name of Laurence Layton, Airstrip survivors claim Layton was not defector, used concealed weapon, State Situation Report 14 notes that Layton has been arrested and charged, Layton charged with murder and remanded to prison, State Department briefing of 11/22 notes Layton arrest, possible extradition to US, Layton charged with murder of Ryan and intent to murder three others, Temple defector Joyce Shaw lists Layton as among Temples enforcers, State Situation Report 21 notes that Layton trial date set for January 15, 1979, FBI reports no criminal record for Chuck Beikman and Larry Layton, SF & St. Louis FBI tasked with investigating Layton and Beikman, Lionel Luckhoo declines to take Layton criminal case, Laytons father asks if relatives can visit, Weapon used by Layton with police in Georgetown, Mark Lane describes Laytons departure with Ryans party on November 18, Airstrip survivor Carol Houston Boyd describes Laytons actions, Dwyer report on CODEL attack discusses Laytons role, Reporter Tim Reiterman describes Laytons actions on Kaituma airstrip, Investigation of Layton will include interviews with father, brother, Unidentified former member says Layton among Angels tasked as hit men, NBC producer Bob Flick claims Layton insisted in being on single-engine plane, Edith Parks claims Layton killed Ryan and others, List of survivors includes Layton as one of two arrestees, New Jersey psychiatrist reports airstrip survivors claim Layton was plant, Richard Clark claims Layton was on silent weapons squad, Unnamed former member says Layton was on inner-core council, Survivor Beatrice Orsot Grubbs describes Layton as weird and too quiet, Layton to be permitted visits from family, Interview with Vern Gosney, wounded by Layton, Airstrip survivor Beverly Oliver describes Laytons actions, Airstrip survivor Bob Flick describes Laytons actions, Dale Parks called as witness in Layton preliminary hearing, Harold Cordell testifies at Layton inquest, FBI Report includes statements on Layton by Temple survivors in Georgetown, FBI interviews with 12 Temple members include several descriptions of Laytons action, Former member Jeannette Kerns says Layton was on PT Security Force, Juanita Bogue testifies in Layton inquiry, Neville Annibourne testifies in Layton inquiry, Detailed descriptive data furnished for Layton, Several witnesses testify in Layton inquiry, Sherwin Harris identifies Layton among those who are dangerous and bear watching, Reporter Ron Javers describes Laytons actions on Kaituma airstrip, James Bogue refers to Layton as one of Jones undercover guys, Interview with Monica Bagby, wounded by Layton, Brenda Parks describes actions of Layton on plane at Kaituma airstrip, Jerry Parks describes Laytons actions on Kaituma airstrip, Dale Parks describes actions of Layton on plane at Kaituma airstrip, Edith Bogue describes actions of Layton on plane at Kaituma airstrip, Tracy Parks describes Layton firing gun inside plane at Kaituma airstrip, Question on visiting Larry Layton in prison, Georgetown prison policies on contacts with prisoners, Question on visits to prisoners in Guyana, Report compiles interviews with survivors of Port Kaituma, Layton shootings, Layton charged with violation of Congressional Assassination Stature, GOG imposes guidelines, restrictions on FBI interviewing survivors, Embassy works on guidelines for visiting Layton, Layton family sets up account for Larry in jail, Review of NBC footage includes several shots of Layton, FBI narrative of Port Kaituma airstrip attack sent to Guyana police, Dr. Layton responds to sons questions from Georgetown jail, Dr. Layton forwards money to son in Georgetown jail, Embassy answers to committees questions include Laytons gun, McKay urges judge in Layton trial to recuse self, Charges dismissed against Layton in Guyana, Grand jury indicts Layton with assassination and conspiracy, Grand jury lists unindicted co-conspirators, all dead in Guyana, Date for second preliminary inquiry for Layton not yet scheduled, Layton attorney in US asks for assistance, Refusal of witnesses to return to Guyana threatens Layton trial, Guyana government open to idea of deporting Layton for prosecution in US, FBI reports on grand Jury, talks with GOG, Alleged US-Guyana prisoner exchange may include Layton, No Date Fixed Yet for New Preliminary Inquiry in Layton Case, FBI outlines summary of evidence against Layton for GOG, Embassy to allow events run their course in Layton trial in Guyana, Odell Rhodes report Jones claim that Larry blamed Debbie for mothers death, San Francisco office submits synopsis of evidence against Layton to FBI-HQ, US Attorney in San Francisco wants to interview Layton in Guyana, US AG reluctant to seek extradition absent compelling convincing evidence, Justice considers whether Layton can be interviewed in Guyana without attorney, Meeting between Justice and State on Layton inconclusive, SF outlines evidence against Layton to pass along to AG, US will encourage Guyana to pursue charges against Layton in that country, Embassy reports results of conversation with Skip Roberts re: Layton confession, Guyana has change of heart, will likely prosecute Layton, US officials seek to encourage Jonestown survivors to testify against Layton, Embassy discusses Layton legal proceedings with GOG, Embassy has copy of Layton written confession, Request for Vern Gosney and Odell Rhodes to return to Guyana for Layton trial, Two Temple witnesses due to arrive for Layton trial, Second day of preliminary hearing feature Gosney and Rhodes testimony, Fourth day of preliminary hearing in Layton trial; Secret Service check, Efforts underway to persuade Dale Parks to return to Guyana for testimony, Third day of preliminary hearing features medical testimony, Report on three witnesses at Layton prosecution, Parks had requested FBI agent to accompany him, Background paper on Layton case to be prepared for media, Layton trial delayed due to witness unavailability, US to consult with GOG authorities in Layton trial, Embassy talks to Layton about treatment, conditions, Guyana indictment against Layton relates only to Gosney, Bagby shooting, Layton trial tentatively scheduled for April 1, Money placed in Layton account for expenses, Gosney willing to travel to Guyana with FBI agent accompaniment, FBI authorizes agent to travel with Gosney, Rhodes, Presence of Dale Parks not needed at Layton trial, Travel of FBI, witnesses to Guyana for Layton trial, Prosecutor will use only Gosney in Layton trial, Trial delayed until May 5, Layton to plead not guilty, Trial date delayed, request for agent to accompany witnesses to be renewed, FBI agent and US attorney will attend Layton trial, Guyana requests Gosney, not Rhodes, for Layton trial, Judge in Layton trial agrees that GOG has case against defendant, Day 3 of Layton trial features Gosney testimony, Judge in Layton trial allows confession into evidence, Day 7 of Layton trial features testimony of Guyanese officials, Day 8 of Layton trial features testimony of rural constable, Day 9 of Layton trial features testimony of Hardat Sukhdeo, Day 10 of Layton trial features testimony of three defense witnesses, Defense counsel makes closing arguments on Day 11 of Layton trial, Embassy promises info on possible Layton release, Complaint against Layton forwarded to embassy, State offers advice on handling money in Layton account, Layton expresses anxiety about resolution of case, San Francisco seeks status of Layton passport, Embassy visits Layton in prison, presses GOG on disposition of case, US Attorney seeks interviews with reporters at Port Kaituma airstrip, FBI considers request for agents to assist in Layton deportation, GOG will take no further action on Layton, FBI authorizes travel of agents to assist in Layton deportation, Layton will not receive passport from US, may need escort from Guyana, Trinidad government concerned about Layton layover, Trinidad govt to be notified of Layton transit through airport, Layton will travel to US with his attorney, Layton preparations to depart Guyana with FBI agents underway, Layton may be detained in Guyana until lawyer paid, Layton expelled from Guyana (erroneous report), PanAm reports someone wants to board plane to see Larry Layton, Layton did not depart Guyana, pending resolution of payment to lawyers, Status of Larry Layton (from San Francisco), Guyana court to consider merits of financial claim against Layton, Federal indictment of Layton made available, Hearing fails to conclude claims against Layton for fees, US Attorney to fly to Guyana to meet with Guyana counterpart, Embassy visits Layton in prison, prepares travel docs, US agencies discuss transporting of Layton from Guyana, Layton agrees that he owes Guyanese lawyer, Restraining order against Larry Layton dismissed in Guyana, Restriction on Layton leaving country is lifted, Guyana seeks expulsion at earliest possible date, Layton to be accompanied by marshals, but not in custody, US Marshals Service assumes responsibility in transporting Layton, Layton will not be in US Marshal custody on flight, Embassy stresses importance of not revealing Layton travel plans, Layton transfer for US prosecution delayed, Layton on board plane with three marshals, US Attorney office seeks contact with Hardat Sukhdeo, Layton trial date set, Guyana witnesses sought, Annotations to arrest form for Larry Layton, FBI says defense attorney made false, inaccurate and inflammatory statements re: tapes, Court order on physical evidence held in Guyana for use in Layton trial, Arrangements made to obtain physical evidence requested by FBI, Layton defense team seeks interview with Guyana witnesses, Layton attorney in US asks GOG for statements of witnesses, Layton attorney in US obtains docs from GOG, State tells Layton lawyer to make own arrangements for transporting docs, Statement of Larry Layton (Retransmittal of, Defense attorney seeks witness statements from Guyana, US Attorney subpoenas Ron Javers, Harold Cordell, State offers assistance to Layton defense, Guyana police suggests names of witnesses for US trial, US Attorney seeks clarification from Guyana response on several issues, Embassies in Georgetown, San Juan will work with FBI and GOG to provide witnesses, Listing of Guyanese witnesses in Layton trial, U.S. Embassy sends photos, transcripts to US for use in Layton trial, Layton trial delayed until August 14, 1981, FBI says no investigation of Layton before 11/18, DOJ providing security clearances for trial, Government rests case, defense expected to call 48 witnesses, Layton defense rests without calling witnesses, Layton defense declines to reconsider decision, Layton jury deadlocks, judge declares mistrial, Judge denies motion to dismiss indictment, Judge postpones date for motions in retrial, Judge denies government motions, will be appealed, Court of Appeals to hear arguments on evidence, Court of Appeals decision on evidence pending, Court of Appeals reverses trial judge, allows tapes, Appeals Court denies defense motion for en banc, Appeals court denies defense motion for stay pending SC appeal, New trial date set; request for prosecution to travel to Guyana, New prosecution team will handle Layton case, Prosecution seeks Layton medical records from Guyana, Appeals court hearing on governments motion to admit tape, Appeals court upholds decision to deny admission of death tape, New trial date set for September 18, 1986, US alerts Guyanese witnesses of schedule to testify, FBI requests additional money for expenses for witnesses, Detailed description of tapes to be used in trial, Accomplishment report on Layton conviction, U.S. rejects appeal; Privacy Exemption no longer needed. But even though Sadie Willis didnt die in Jonestown, the psychological damage inflicted upon her during the year she spent in the Peoples Temple ensured she never had much of a life again. I would sit at my typewriter and cry all day, she says. People say, Why didnt anyone try to get away? If you had asked people, Do you want to die right now for Jim Jones? I guaran-fuckin-tee you wouldnt have had 918 dead.Prior to joining the Peoples Temple, Carter spent three years with the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam. We got married and moved to Maui with about 25 other people.. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. He lives in New York City. Larry Layton Franchise Operations Consultant for "Early Stage" Franchises | Scaling Newcomer & Growth Insurgent Businesses Ladera Ranch, CA. Recently, Carters son recently became a father, and Carter is noticeably emotional when he tells me his grandsons name: Malcolm. But as Sadie was running as far away from Jim Jones as she could, her sister Pearl was falling hard for his equality gospel. From eyewitness and survivor accounts, the program recreates the last week before the mass murder-suicide on November 18, 1978. People say, Why didnt anyone try to get away? Well, I had to go and identify bodies two days later, and I know that people tried to get away. But no one knew of his Jonestown connection until 1987, when he was subpoenaed to testify in Larry Laytons trial. I tried to convey to him the extreme danger he was in, but he felt that he had the Congressional shield of protection on him and wouldnt be harmed.. Larry Mathieson - President & CEO - Unison at Kerby Centre - LinkedIn And so, about a year after joining the Peoples Temple, she cut ties. Laurence (Larry) Layton was a member of Peoples Temple and Jonestown resident who participated in the attack at the Port Kaituma airstrip on November 18, 1978, that resulted in the deaths of Rep. Leo Ryan and four others. Benefits are unsurprising. ", An elderly woman wearing cat's-eye glasses walked over to the reporters. Theyre not god, theyre just people.. Harris asked. The next afternoon, Ryan planned to fly home from a nearby jungle airstrip with Gosney, Bagby, and 14 other member-defectors. Jones's aides carried a large metal drum into the pavilion and placed it on a table. No one had never heard a non-minority talking about the troubles of being black in America before, Howard explains. The crowd dwindled and Jones taped one last lie for posterity: "We didn't commit suicide, we committed an act of revolutionary suicide protesting the conditions of an inhumane world." Larry Layton, Quaker and pacifist, entered the Peoples Temple in 1968 to join the march to social justice as charted by the temple's mesmerizing leader, the Rev. Larry Layton - Software Project Manager - Braille Works - LinkedIn I think that we have all stood in that place and been blamed., Kohl eventually moved to San Francisco, where she lived with other Jonestown exes at the Temples headquarters until it was seized by the government. Lets just be done with it.. Julia Scheeres is an award-winning journalist and author. Casefile, one of Australia's leading true crime . Invoking the spectre of an imminent nuclear war, in 1965 Jones relocated operations to Ukiah, California, chosen for its proximity to the town of Eureka, whichEsquiremagazine had identifiedas one of the nine safest places in the world to be in the event of a radiological attack.