"Heavens, I'm A Christian. We Have No Choice But To Forgive," Says Reporter In Response To Apology From Jim Jones Aide

Mike Geniella / Teresa Neumann Reporting : Mar 2, 2005
The Press Democrat

(Calif.) Tim Stoen, the former chief legal adviser to Jonestown cult leader, Jim Jones -- who spearheaded the mass suicides of over 900 people 30 years ago -- is now a Humboldt County deputy district attorney.

On February 11, according to the Press Democrat, he "sought redemption in the form of a handwritten apology to the first reporter, Les Kinsolving who publicly exposed bizarre behavior at the Peoples Temple's Mendocino County headquarters in the early 1970s."

Asking for forgiveness, he wrote, ""You were right about Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple. I was totally wrong....I have asked God to forgive me for my wrongdoing in being a part of Peoples Temple. He has mercifully given me a second chance."

Kinsolving called Stoen’s letter an “act of courage,” and that he was, “deeply moved and very grateful that he wrote me,” adding that he had forgiven him, “Heavens, I'm a Christian. We have no choice but to forgive.”