‘Temple’ funds payout

Press, 10 August 1982, Page 8

‘Temple’ funds payout

NZPA-Reuter San Francisco

Almost four years after the ritual deaths of the Rev Jim Jones and more than 909 of his "People’s Temple” faithful in Guyana, victims and relatives will share in the church’s assets.

Cheques for up to $NZ486,000 will be sent soon to some 600 individuals Court officials say. Judge Ira Brown of the San Francisco Superior Court has approved the distribution of the temple’s remaining assets of nearly $9 million. The decision came nearly four years after Jones and 912 of his followers, mostly Americans died in their jungle commune in a mass murder and suicide ritual on November 18, 1978. Many drank a poisoned soft drink. The day before an American Congressman, Leo Ryan, arid four companions were shot dead on an airstrip after, a fact-finding /trip to the remote commune called Jonestown. Eight others were wounded.

i A receiver, Rbber Fabian realised nearly SUSIO million (SNZI3.S million), in temple assets from Phnamanian and other bank accounts and the

sale of church land. The biggest single award was made to Jackie Speier, an aide of Mr Ryan’s who will receive . . $U5360,000 ($NZ486,000). She was wounded in the airstrip attack-. /'•;/ •’■... The second biggest award, $U5195,000 ($NZ263,250) will go to Constance Brown the wife of a television camera-

man killed while filming the attack. Shirley Humphreys wife of a television reporter, Don Harris who was also killed in the attack, will receive SUSII3,OOO ($NZ152,550). The adopted son of Jones, Jim Jones, who was with a basketball team in the Guyanese capital of Georgetown at the time of the

slaughter, will receive $U542,000 ($NZ56,700).

Mr Fabian recovered SUSIO.4 million (5NZ14.04 million), but the United States Government took SUSI. 4 million (SNZI.B9 million) as compensation for taking the bodies of temple members back to the United States.