Guyanese Officials Plan Quick Release of Cultists

GEORGETOWN, Guyana--Most of the 72 People's Temple cult members being held here have been cleared in an investigation of the 900 deaths at the Jonestown commune, and will be released soon, Guyanese police said yesterday.

Cecil A. Roberts, deputy crime chief, said that some of the remaining American survivors in Guyana could be released late this weekend. Eight elderly survivors have already been allowed to return to the United States because of their age.

One cult member has been charged with murder in the deaths of Rep. Leo J. Ryan (D.-Calif.), three newsmen and a disaffected cultist, who were shot as they attempted to leave the commune. Another has been accused of killing four cultists in Georgetown.

Murder Charge

Charles L. Beikman, a temple member for 20 years, has been charged with murdering another member of the cult and her three children at the sect's headquarters in Georgetown shortly after the mass poisonings.

Beikman is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing next Monday. Court sources say Beikman's lawyer has obtained a writ requiring two temple members to appear as witnesses on Tuesday.

Cultist Larry Layton is charged with the Ryan slayings. Roberts said an effort is being made to schedule a preliminary hearing for Layton next week. His hearing is now set for mid-January.

Death on the Airstrip

The airport slaying of Ryan and others in his party triggered the mass suicides inside the agrarian commune run by Rev. Jim Jones. Ryan was investigating reports that cult members were being held against their will.

Roberts declined to comment on whether more indictments were expected. He did say that all the survivors had been interviewed and that their statements were being reviewed to determine if they were needed as witnesses.

The police officials added that one of the witnesses reported at least three rehearsals of the mass poisoning.