Larry Layton
Quick Summary
Larry Layton was a member of the Peoples Temple cult, led by Jim Jones. The cult relocated to a commune in Guyana called Jonestown. In November 1978, U.S. Congressman Leo Ryan traveled to Jonestown to investigate abuse allegations. After Ryan and his delegation were murdered at a nearby airstrip, Jones orchestrated a mass murder-suicide. Over 900 members, including many children, died from cyanide-laced fruit punch. Jones himself died of a gunshot wound. Layton was the only member tried in the U.S. for his role in the events, convicted of conspiracy and aiding in murder, and later released from prison.1234
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