Madman in Our Midst

Recommended reading:
MADMAN IN OUR MIDST: Jim Jones and the California Cover Up
by Kathleen Kinsolving and Tom Kinsolving

In this article, Tom and Kathleen Kinsolving describe what happened when their father, Les Kinsolving, began investigating the People's Temple. His early articles began to expose what was happening with the People's Temple. He had many interactions with Tim Stoen.

After the massacre at Jonestown, "Kinsolving was notified by the FBI of Temple death squads, and advised by agents that he should arm himself. Weeks later, the New York Times reported that Tim Stoen "planned the murder of Lester Kinsolving" and "had even used the District Attorney's office of Mendocino County" to research "the type of poison that could be used."

It's fascinating reading, especially if you are interested in understanding Tim Stoen's role in People's Temple. You may see marked similarities between his activities and comments then and his activites and comments in Humboldt County.

Some excerpts:

"Stoen elaborated on a long list of achievements, such as Jones's past appointments to various positions of public trust, "including Foreman of the Mendocino County Grand Jury...and that Jones was "the most compassionate, fearless, and honest person I know of..."

"Within a few minutes of entering People's Temple Sanctuary, Kinsolving was interrogated by Stoen, who was wearing a blue-green pulpit robe. Stoen then revealed himself not only to be an (unordained) assistant pastor of People's Temple, but Assistant District Attorney of Mendocino County."

Stoen's comments about "this wonderful group of people and their remarkable pastor Jim Jones...Jim has been the means by which more than 40 persons have literally been brought back from the dead this year.

"...I have seen Jim revive people stiff as a board, tongues hanging out, eyes set, skin graying and all vital signs absent...Jim will go up to such a person and say something like "I love you" or "I need you" and immediately the vital signs reappear...Jim is very humble about his gift and does not preach it..."

"The Sept. 20 story, "Probe Asked of People's Temple", revealed that earlier that year Ukiah Baptist pastor Richard Taylor had asked Mendocino County District Attorney Duncan James to investigate Tim Stoen's conduct surrounding Temple member Maxine Harpe's suspicious suicide."

For Leo J. Ryan, who gave his life, we dedicate this article.
© 1998 Kathleen and Tom Kinsolving

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After 30 years, Jim Jones aide seeks forgiveness - Stoen apologizes to reporter: 'You were right ... I was wrong'
Wednesday, March 2, 2005 By MIKE GENIELLA THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

30 years later, Tim Stoen apologized to Les Kinsolving. One wonders if he will do the same to Debi August and Pacific Lumber Company.

"From my heart, I apologize for my mistreatment of you, including the
organizing the picketing, filing the lawsuit, and castigating your
motives."

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