The State - News from March 31, 1987

Former Peoples Temple member Larry Layton was granted bail pending appeal of his federal conviction and life sentence for aiding in the cult’s 1978 murder of a California congressman in Guyana. Layton remained in jail in San Francisco while relatives attempted to raise the money. U.S. District Judge Robert Peckham set bail at $250,000. Assistant U.S. Atty. Joseph Russoniello said he was disappointed by the decision but would not appeal. Layton, 41, was previously free on bail for five years after government appeals of a hung jury verdict in his first trial. He has been in jail since his sentencing last Dec. 1 on his second conviction.