Document date: 00/00/0000

## Page 1

File #:

AT 66-2246

Serial Scope:

12, 13,15, 1 THen 19, 21

41

Released under the John F. Kennedy

Assassination Records Collection Act of

1992 (44 USC 2107 Note). Case#:NW

65360 Date: 11-17-2022

1.65360. Docld:32989802 Page 1

---

## Page 2

FD-36 (Rev. 5-22-78)

TRANSMIT VIA:

[8 Teletype

• Facsimile

returno

mag.

to

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

XX Priority

• Routine

FBI

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

J SECRET

• CONFIDENTIAL

• UNCLAS EF TO

X UNCLAS

Date

10/18/78

FM ATLANTA (66-2242) (RUC)

Corretions

7O DIRECTOR (62-17290) PRIORITY / 945

ge 4- Leuck

002.

UNCLAS

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

REFERENCE BUREAU TELEPHONE CALL TO ATLANTA,

OCTOBER 18, 1978.

FBIHO ADVISED IN REFERENCED TELEPHONE CALL THAT THE

HSCA HAD REQUESTED THAT THE BUREAU FURNISH THE NAMES OF ALI

THE SPECIAL AGENTS (SA'SL WHO WERE ASSIGNED TO HEADQUARTERS

OF THE ATLANTA FBI OFFICE FROM JANUARY 1, 1967, THROUGH

APRIL, 1968.

AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE, ATLANTA CHECKED THE ATLANTA

PERSONNEL ADDRESS LISTS COVERING THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 1967,

THROUGH APRIL 30, 1968; AND THE FOLLOWING SA'S WERE NOTED AS

BEING ASSIGNED TO THE ATLANTA OFFICE DURING THAT PERIOD:

- Atlanta

EAS: pf

Cas Is pf

SEARCHED

SERIA JOED

(tin)

(6)

66-20662

Aprove: 1D/l

MW 65360 Docid:32989802 Page

Transmitted

002 1945

(Number)

(Time)

Per

FBI/DOJ

---

## Page 3

PAGE TWO AT (66-2242) UNCLAS

"SPECIAL AGENTS IN CHARGE, ASSISTANT SPECIAL AGENTS IN

CHARGE, AND SUPERVISORS" :

FRANK V. HITT - SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE

EUGENE H. STEWART - ASSISTANT SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE

JACK KEITH - ASSISTANT SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE

CHARLES S. HARDING CASTERISKI

EDWARD T. KASSINGER

ANGELO M. ROBBE

"HEADQUARTERS CITY SA'S"

HILBERT ARPS (ASTERISKI

JOSEPH PATRICK AYERS

THOMAS J. BARRETT

JACK T. BEVERSTEIN (ASTERISK)

JAMES G. BOWEN

DENNIS A. BRAIDEN

DONALD P. BURGESS (ASTERISK)

RICHARD J. CIECKA

JOSEPH A. CIMINERA

CARL E. CLAIBORNE (ASTERISKL

WILLIAM D. COCHRAN

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 3

---

## Page 4

- =

PAGE THREE AT (66-2242) UNCLAS

WILLIAM E. COLOMBELI

DALE D. CONROY

KEITH D. COY

EDWARD G. CRIM (ASTERISKL

JOHN F. CUNNINGHAM (ASTERISKI

RICHARD H. DAVIS (ASTERISK)

MARC M. DIEHL

JAMES JOSEPH DOLAN CASTERISKL

JOHN I. DOLAN

SPENCER J. DRAYTON

CHARLES S. DUKE (ASTERISKI

SCOTT T. FENSTERMAKER

RICHARD E. FUGATT (ASTERISKI

GERALD J. GALLAGHER

CHARLES E. GALVIN

JOHN P. GRANFIELD

JAMES I. HAGUE

STEPHEN L. HALPIN

0. RICHARD HAMILTON (ASTERISKL

CHARLES I. HAYNES (ASTERISK)

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 4

---

## Page 5

PAGE FOUR AT (66-2242) UNCLAS

KENNETH R. HEINEMAN

STANLEY T. JACOBSEN

JAMES O. JANNEY

ROGER L. KAAS

STANLEY R. KEEL

WILLIAM V. KENNEDY

ROBERT J. KOLEVAR

JOHN J. LANGSFELD

DAVID R. LASH

THOMAS E. LAVIN

HARRY I. LEF

JOHN I. LEUCK

ROBERT K. LEWIS

JAMES F. LINK

LAWRENCE I. LYNCH

RONALD MADDEN

ROBERT L. MC FALL

RAYMOND J. MICHEL

ALDEN F. MILLER (ASTERISKI

PAUL LEE MILLER

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 5

---

## Page 6

PAGE FIVE AT (66-22421 UNCLAS

THOMAS H. MITCHELL, JR.

C. DALLAS MOBLEY

ARTHUR L. MURTAGH (ASTERISK)

ROBERT R. NICHOLS

RONALD R. NOEL

JOHN E. OGDEN

BRIAN FRANCIS O'SHEA

JOHN M. PALFI (ASTERISKL

ROBERT GUNN PARKER

ROBERT R. PERRY

JAMES O. PONDER

JOHN P. QUINLAN

RICHARD D. RACKLEFE

THOMAS C. RENAGHAN

JOHN B. REYNOLDS

JAMES R. RIORDAN

DONALD V. RITENOUR, JR.

HUGH ROBINSON, JR.

PAUL W. ROEMER

CHARLES F. ROESNER (ASTERISKL

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 6

---

## Page 7

PAGE SIX AT (66-2242) UNCLAS

JAMES J. ROSE (ASTERISK)

ALAN H. ROTTON

TERRY M. SCOTT

ALAN G. SENTINELLA (ASTERISKI

JACK B. SIMPSON

WILLIAM JOHN. SLICKS

JOSEPH E. SMITH

MICHAEL J. SOJA CASTERISKE

FRANK R. SOUTHERLAND (ASTERISK)

RAYMOND F. SPOON

JOHN. G. SULLIVAN

DONALD F. TACKITT

WILLIAM J. WATRY

WILLIAM B. WATTS

DONALD G. WILSON

GLENN L. YOUNG

THE WORD ASTERISK WAS USED TO INDICATE THE NAMES OF

ATLANTA HEADQUARTERS SA'S WHO HAD BEEN ASSIGNED TO THE

ATLANTA SECURITY SQUAD (NUMBER THREE SQUAD) DURING THE

PERIOD JANUARY, 1967, TO APRIL, 1968. SOME OF THESE

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 7

---

## Page 8

PAGE SEVEN AT (66-2242) UNCLAS

AGENTS ON THE SECURITY SQUAD ONLY SERVED ON THIS SQUAD FOR

A PORTION OF THE ABOVE PERIOD, AND SOME OF THEM DID NOT

HANDLE SECURITY WORK, AS THIS SQUAD ALSO HANDLED OTHER

MATTERS.

BT

#

| NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 8

---

## Page 9

AT00B2 2911934

• PP HQ

DE AT

P 1819357 OCT 78

FM ATLANTA (66-2242) (RUC)

TO DIRECTOR (62-117290) PRIORITY

BT

UNCLAS

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY, UNIT

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

REFERENCE BUREAU TELEPHONE CALL TO ATLANIA, .

OCTOBER 18, 1978.

• FBIHQ ADVISED IN REFERENCED TELEPHONE CALL THAT THE

HSICA HAD REQUESTED THAT THE BUREAU FURNISH THE NAMES OF ALL

THE SPECIAL AGENTS (SA'S) WHO WERE ASSIGNED TO HEADQUARTERS

OF THE ATLANTA FBI OFFICE FROM JANUARY I, 1967, THROUGH

• APRIL, 1968.

AS A RESULI OF THE ABOVE, ATLANIA CHECKED THE ATLANTA

• PERSONNEL ADDRESS LISTS COVERING THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 196.7,

THROUGH APRIL 38, 1968; AND THE FOLLOWING SA'S WERE NOTED AS

BEING ASSIGNED TO THE ATLANIA OFFICE DURING THAT PERIOD:

SERGIED

c3862790

hirt

ED LAIN

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 9

---

## Page 10

PAGE TWO AT (66-2242) UNCLAS

"SPECIAL AGENTS IN CHARGE, ASSISTANT SPECIAL AGENTS IN

CHARGE, AND SUPERVISORS:

FRANK V. HITT - SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE

• EUGENE H. STEWART - ASSISTANI SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE

JACK KEITH - ASSISTANI SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE

CHARLES S. HARDING (ASTERISK)

EDWARD T. KASSINGER

ANGELO M. ROBBE

"HEADQUARTERS CITY SA'S"

HILBERT ARPS (ASTERISK)

JOSEPH 'PATRICK AYERS

THOMAS J. BARRETT

JACK I. BEVERSTEIN (ASTERISK)

JAMES G. BOWEN

DENNIS A. BRAIDEN

DONALD P. BURGESS (ASTERISK)

RICHARD J. CIECKA

JOSEPH A. CIMINERA

CARL E: CLAIBORNE (ASTERISK)

• WILLIAM D. COCHRAN

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 • Page 10

---

## Page 11

PAGE THREE AT (66-2242) UNCLAS

WILLIAM E. COLOMBELL

DALE D. CONROY

KEITH D. COY.

EDWARD G. CRIM (ASTERISK)

JOHN F. CUNNINGHAM (ASTERISK)

RICHARD M. DAVIS (ASTERISK)

MARC M. DIEHL

JAMES JOSEPH DOLAN (ASTERISK)

JOHN T. DOLAN

SPENCER J. DRAYTON

CHARLES S. DUKE (ASTERISK)

SCOTT I. FENSTERMAKER

RICHARD E. FUGATT (ASTERISK)

GERALD J. GALLAGHER

CHARLES E. GALVIN

JOHN P. GRANFIELD

JAMES L. HAGUE

STEPHEN L. HALPIN

O. RICHARD HAMILTON (ASTERISK)

CHARLES T. HAYNES (ASTERISK)

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 11

---

## Page 12

PAGE FOUR AT (66-2242) UNCLAS.

KENNETH R. HEINEMAN

STANLEY I. JACOBSEN

JAMES O. JANNEY

ROGER L. KAAS

STANLEY R. KEEL

WILLIAM V. KENNEDY

ROBERT J. KOLEVAR

JOHN J. LANGSFELD

DAVID R. LASH

THOMAS E. LAVIN

HARRY L. LEE

JOHN F. LEUCK

ROBERI K. LEWIS

JAMES F. LINK

LAWRENCE L. LYNCH

RONALD MADDEN

ROBERT L. MC FALL

• RAYMOND J. MICHEL

ALDEN.F. MILLER (ASTERISK)

PAUL LEE MILLER

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 12

---

## Page 13

PAGE FIVE AT (66-2242) UNCLAS

THOMAS H. MITCHELL, JR.

C. DALLAS MOBLEY

ARTHUR L. MURTAGH (ASTERISK)

ROBERT R. NICHOLS

RONALD R. NOEL

JOHN E. OGDEN

BRIAN FRANCIS O'SHEA

JOHN M. PALFI (ASTERISK)

ROBERT GUNN PARKER

ROBERT R. PERRY

• JAMES O. PONDER

JOHN P. QUINLAN

RICHARD D. RACKLEFF

THOMAS C. RENAGHAN

JOHN B. REYNOLDS

JAMES R. RIORDAN

DONALD V. RITENOUR, JR.

HUGH ROBINSON, JR.

PAUL W. ROEMER

CHARLES F. ROESNER (ASTERISK)

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 13

---

## Page 14

PAGE SIX AT (66-2242) UNCLAS

JAMES J. ROSE (ASTERISK)

ALAN H. ROTTON

TERRY M. SCOTT

ALAN G. SENTINELLA (ASTERISK)

'JACK B. SIMPSON

WILLIAM JOHN SLICKS

JOSEPH E. SMITH

MICHAEL J. SOJA (ASTERISK)

FRANK R. SOUTHERLAND (ASTERISK)

RAYMOND F. SPOON

JOHN G. SULLIVAN

DONALD F. TACKITT

WILLIAM J. WATRY

WILLIAM B. WATTS

.DONALD G.. WILSON

GLENN L. YOUNG

THE WORD ASTERISK WAS USED TO INDICATE THE NAMES OF .

ATLANTA HEADQUARTERS SA'S WHO HAD BEEN ASSIGNED TO THE

ATLANTA SECURITY SQUAD (NUMBER THREE SQUAD) DURING THE

PERIOD JANUARY, 1967, TO APRIL, 1968. SOME OF THESE

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 14

---

## Page 15

PAGE SEVEN. AT (66-2242) UNCLAS

AGENTS ON THE SECURITY SQUAD ONLY SERVED ON THIS SQUAD FOR

A PORTION OF THE ABOVE PERIOD, AND SOME OF THEM DID NOT

HANDLE SECURITY WORK, AS THIS SQUAD ALSO HANDLED OTHER •

MATTERS.

BT

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 15

---

## Page 16

FD-36 (Rev. 5-22-78)

TRANSMIT VIA:

X Teletype

• Facsimile

return to Barbara

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

[X) Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

I SECRET

7 CONFIDENTIAL

E UNCLAS EF TO

XI UNCLAS

Date _ 9/25/78

539

FM ATLANTA (66-2242) (RUC)

IO DIRECTOR 662-1172902 PRIORITY / 625

BT

UNCLAS

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION.

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCAL. BUDED

SEPTEMBER 26, 1978.

RE BUREAU TELETYPE TO BIRMINGHAM ET AL, SEPTEMBER 19,

1978.

REFERENCED TELETYPE ADVISED THAT HSCA REQUESTED ACCESS

TO ALL BUREAU FILE MATERIAL AS WELL AS MATERIAL FROM THE

FIELD OFFICES OF BIRMINGHAM, JACKSON, ATLANTA, NEW ORLEANS &

LOS ANGELES, ON THE CITIZENS COUNCIL OF AMERICA (CCA) FOR

THE YEARS 1967 - 1968. IT WAS NOTED THAT CCA WAS SEPARATE

FROM THE WHITE CITIZENS COUNCIL. RECIPIENT OFFICES WERE

TO FURNISH TWO COPIES OF ANY COMMUNICATIONS MEETING THIS CRITERIA.

ATLANTA INDICES LOCATED ONE MAIN FILE ON CCA COMPRISED OF

SEARCHED.

Atlanta (1-105-518)Seut

EF /bw

etey in the fis

mel

Approved:

Transmitted

557

1625

(Number)

Per Ip

(Time)

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 16

66-2242-4800

---

## Page 17

PAGE TWO. AT (66-2242) UNCLAS

ONE VOLUME, ATLANTA FILE 105-518, BUFILE 105-46604.

THERE ARE NO COMMUNICATIONS CONTAINED IN THE FILE FOR

THE PERIOD 1967 - 1968.

BT

#

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 17

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## Page 18

• BA

VZCZCHQ0.141

RR BH JN AT NO LA

DE HQ 0141 2620145

ZNY EEEEE

R 192123Z SEP 78

FOIRECTOR FBI (62-117298)

TO FBI BIRMINGHAM ROUTINE.

FBI JACKSON ROUTINE

FBI ATLANTA ROUTINE

FBI NEW ORLEANS ROUTINE

FBI LOS ANGELES ROUTINE

!

UNCLAS' E

/.

F T

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

BUREAU DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 26, 1978.

THE HSCA, WHICH IS INVESTIGATING THE ASSASSINATION OF

JOHN F. KENNEDY AND MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., REQUESTED BY

LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 1978, ACCESS, TO ALL BUREAU FILE

MATERIAL AS WELL AS MATERIAL

FROM THE FIELD OFFICES OF

BIRMINGHAM, JACKSON, ATLANTA, NEW. ORLEANS AND. LOS ANGELES,

ON THE CITIZENS COUNCIL OF AMERICA FOR TRE YEARS 1967-1968•

IT IS TO BE NOTED THAT THE CITIZENS COUNCIL OF AMERICA IS A

16-2242-46

SEARCHED -

SERIALIZED SACEFILED: 201

SEP 1 ) 1978

FBI ALANA

immediato lotin

1W65380 Doclars 2989902 Patien

SCOTT

---

## Page 19

PAGE IWO DE HQ D141 UNCLAS E F I O

SEPARATE ORGANIZATION FROM THE WHITE CITIZENS COUNCIL.

RECIPIENT OFFICES FURNISH FBI HEADQUARTERS TWO COPIES OF

ANY COMMUNICATIONEETING ABOVE CRITERIA. ALL COPIES SHOULD

BE CLEARLY LEGIBLE AND SHOULD BE SENT BY REGISTERED MAIL,

MAILED TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT,

RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION.

BT

0141

NNNN

2630145Z AT 10

NIN 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 19

---

## Page 20

VZCZCHQ0 141

FR BH JW AT NO LA

D3 HG 0141 2620145

ZIY EEEEE

R I92123Z SEP 78

FDIRECTOR FBI (62-117298)

TO FBI BIRMINGHAM ROUTINE

FBI JACKSON ROUTINE

FBI ATLANTA ROUTINE

FBI NEW ORLEANS ROUTINE

FBI LOS ANGELES ROUTINE

bT

(SAC-SARE

LICLAS EFT O

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

BUREAU DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 26, 1979.

IME HSCA, WHICH IS INVESIICATING THE ASSASSINATION OF

JOHN F. XENWEDY AND MARTIN LUTHER KING, dR., RECUESTED BY

• LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 1978, ACCESS TO ALL BUREAU FILE

MATERIAL AS WELL AS MATERIAL FROM THE FIELD OFFICES OF

BIRMINGHAM; JACKSON, ATLANTA, NEW ORLEANS AND LOS ANGELES,

a THE CITIZENS COUNCIL OF AMERICA FOR THE YEARS 1967-1969.

IT IS TO BE NOTED THAT THE CITIZENS COUNCIL OF AMERICA 1S A

SEARCHED _

_INDEXED.

SERIALIZED

FILED.

SEP 1J J1978

FBI— ATLANTA

NVC 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 20

---

## Page 21

PAGE TWO DE HO BI4I UNCLAS E FI O.

SEPARATE ORGANIZATION FROM THE

WHITE CITIZENS COUNCIL.

RECIPIENT OFFICES FURNISH FBI HEADQUARTERS IWO COPIES OF

ANY CONMUNICATIONEETING ABOVE. CRITERIA. ALL COPIES SHOULD

EE CLEARLY LEGIBLE AND SHOULD BE SENT BY REGISTERED MAIL,

MAILED TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CORGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT,

RECORDS MANAGEMEAT DIVISION.

• BT

€ 14 1

2633145Z AT 1.

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 21

---

## Page 22

VZCZCHQO 105.

RR AT

DE HQ D1D5 2570100

ZNY EEEEE

R 142049Z SEP 78

FM DIRECTOR FBI (62-117298)

TO FBI ATLANTA ROUTINE

BT

UNCLAS. EF TO .

66-2242

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

BUREAU DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 21, 1978•

THE HSCA, WHICH IS INVESTIGATING THE ASSASSINATIONS OF

PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY AND MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., BY LETTER

DATED SEPTEMBER 8, 1978, REQUESTED DELIVERY CON A LOAN BASIS)

OF THE ORIGINAL PIEDMONT LAUNDRY SLIP WHICH IS BELIEVED TO BE IN

THE POSSESSION OF THE ATLANTA FIELD OFFICE.

BUREAU INDICES SEARCH REVEALS THAT REQUESTED LAUNDRY

SLIPS ARE LOCATED IN ATLANTA MURKIN SERIAL 44-2386-1A280

IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE REQUEST, ATLANTA SHOULD MARK

AFORESAID SERIAL AS EVIDENCE AND SUBMIT BY REGISTERED MAIL TO

FBI HEADQUARTERS WITH THE NOTATION "HAND CARRY TO SPECIAL AGENT

RICHARD C. BUSCHING, ROOM 8988, CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT,

9-14-78-163

NW 65360. Docld:32989802 Page 22

SEARCHED JA

(NDEXED.

SERIALIZED :

SEP 1 4 1978

BEARANTA,

STEAL

-Car Chankee!

---

## Page 23

PAGE TWO DE HQ OI85 UNGLAS E F

RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION®•

BT

0145

NNNN •

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 23

---

## Page 24

VZCZCHCO 185

PR AT

DE HQ

B18S 2578190

ZMY EEEEE

R 142849Z SEP 78

FM DIRECTOR FBI (62-117290)

TO FBI ATLANTA ROUTINE

BT

UNCLAS EF TO

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

BUREAU DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 21, 1978.

THE HSCA, WHICH IS INVESTIGATING THE ASSASSINATIONS OF

PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY AND MARTIN LUTHER KING, JRO, BY LETTER

DATED SEPTEMSER 8, 1978, REGUESTED DELIVERY (ON A LOAN BARIS)

OF THE ORIGINAL PIEDMONT LAUNDRY, SLIP WHICH IS BELIEVED TO BE IN

THE POSSESSION OF THE ATLANTA FIELD OFFICE.

BUREAU INDICES SEARCH REVEALS THAT REQUESTED LAUNDRY

SLIPS ARE LOGATED IN ATLANTA MURKIN SERIAL 44-2386-1A28.

IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE REQUEST, ATLANTA SHOULD MARK

• AFORESAID SERIAL AS EVIDENCE AND SUBMIT BY REGISTERED MAIL TO

FBI HEADQUARTERS WITH THE NOTATION "HAND CARRY TO SPECIAL AGENT

RICHARD CO RUSCHING, ROOM E988, CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UHIT,

16. 2042-40

SEARCHED.

SEP 1 4 1978

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 24

---

## Page 25

PAGE TWO DE HQ 0I0S UNCLAS EF

RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION".

BT

0

6105

NUNN

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 25

---

## Page 26

8/14/78

TO:

FROM:

DIRECTOR, FBI

SAC, ATLANTA (66-2242)

SUBJECT: HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

ON ASSASSINATIONS

ReButel call to Atlanta 8/11/78.

Enclosed for the Bureau are serials 921 through 955.

These serials cover the period from 3/1/68 to 6/1/68.

It is noted serial 306 was located between serials

937 and 938, however, it falls within the period of 3/1/68

to 6/1/68.

2 - Bureau (Enc. 35)

1- Atlanta

RRP/1d

(3),

..

...

6=72462-474

SEARCHED

R"::

*I to soo

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 26

---

## Page 27

* FD-36 (Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

[x] Teletype

• Facsimile

[J Airtel

Return to RuPeare

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

Immediate

[ Priority

Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

D TOP SECRET

• SECRET

• CONFIDENTIAL

DEFTO

# CAR UNCLAS

Date

6/19/78

722

EM ATLANTA (66-2242) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (62-117290) PRIORITY

BT

UNCLAS

DIVISION.

ATTN: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, RECORDS MANAGEMENT

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA). BUDED:

JUNE 19, 1978.

RE BUREAU TELETYPE TO NUMEROUS OFFICES INCLUDING ATLANTA,

JUNE 14, 1978.

REFERENCED BUREAU TELETYPE. INDICATED THA THE HSCA WANTED

THE FIELD OFFICE FILES ON THE SOUTHERN STATES INDUSTRIAL

COUNCIL FOR THE PERIOD 1956-1978 FROM ATLANTA, BIRMINGHAM,

JACKSON, KNOXVILLE, LOUISVILLE, MEMPHIS., MIAMI,, NEW ORLEANS,

SAINT LOUIS, AND WASHINGTON FIELD OFFICE. AS A RESULT,

RECIPIENT OFFICES WERE REQUESTED TO SEARCH FOR ANY FILES OR

REFERENCES ON THE SÖUTHERN STATES INDUSTRIAI COUNCIL FOR THE.

SEARCHED

66-2242-41

G- Atlanta

EAS: rs

(I)RO

INDEKED

FILED

• SHEA

Transmitted

712

(Number)

1535

(Time)

Per

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 27

---

## Page 28

PAGE TWO

AT (66-2242)

UNCLAS

PERIOD 1956-1978.

ATLANTA'S INDICES WERE NEGATIVE FOR THE SOUTHERN STATES

INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL.

BT

#

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 28

---

## Page 29

AI9772 17615352

PP HO

DE AT

P 1915352 JUN 78

EM ATLANTA (56-2242) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (62-117290) PRIORITY

UNCLAS

ATTN: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, PECORDS MANAGEMENT

DIVISION.

• HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA). BUDED:

JUNE 19, 1973.

RE BUREAU TELETYPE TO NUMEROUS OFFICES INCLUDING ATLANTA,

JUNE 14, 1973.

REFERENCED BUREAU TELETYPE INDICATED THAT THE HSCA WANTED

THE FIELD OFFICE FILES ON THE SOUTHERN STATES INDUSTRIAL

COUNCIL FOR THE PERIOD 1956-1978 FROM ATLANTA, BIRMINGHAM,

JACKSON, KNOXVILLE, LOUISVILLE, MEMPHIS, MIAMI, NEW ORLEANS,

SAINI LOUIS; AND WASHINGTON FIELD OFFICE. AS A RESULT,

RECIPIENT OFFICES WERE REQUESTED TO SEARCH FOR ANY FILES OR

REFERENCES AM THE SOUTHERN STATES INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL FOR THE.

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 29

46-22-42-41

SEARCHED

SARANO T

no pare

---

## Page 30

waterro

PAGE TWO

AI (66-2242) UNCLAS

PERIOD 1956-19780

ATLANTA'S INDICES WERE NEGATIVE FOR THE SOUTHERN STATES

INDUSIRIAL COUNCIL.

BT

INW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 30

---

## Page 31

VZCCCHQ0085

OC AT BA JI EX LO ME iNT NO SL.WF

DE HQ 5005 1592149

ZY rESEE

C 1422262 JU: 76

FM DIRECTOR FBI (62-117290)

TO FEI ATLAYTA IMMEDIATE

FBI BIRGIVONAS IMMEDIATE

FEI JACKSON INMEDIATE

FSI X OXVILLE IMMEDIATE

FBI LOVISVILLE INMEDIATE

FBI MEMPHIS IMMEDIATE

Atlanta Industral

Council-

no referenees

FBI MIAMI IMMEDIATE

FBI SU ORLEATS INMEDIATE

FBI. CT. LOUIS IMMEDIATE

FBI WACHI GIO: FIELD OFFICE IMMEDIATE

BT

U GLAS

66-3942

KURT SELECT COMMITTEE MY ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

M'CA, BY LETTER DATEN JUNE 12, 1978, REGUESTED THAT THE

FIELD CFFICE FILES ON THE

SOUTHERN STATE

INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL

FOR THE PERIO? 1956-1970 FROM ATLANT

BIRMINGHAM, JACKSON,

industrial Council

Southern States

no-rets

Eas

66-22/2-

SEARCHED

LINDEXED

SERIALIFORT

FILED

JUN L: 1378

FBI-ATLANTA

VIBr

NW 65360

Mocid: 32989802 Page 31.

---

## Page 32

PAGE INO DE HO DOBS UNCLAS EFT O

KUDKVILLE, LOUISVILLE, MEMPHIS, MIAMI, NEW ORLEANS, ST. LOUIS,

AID WASHINGTON FIELD OFFICE, BE PROVIDED ON A PRIORITY BASIS.

RECEIVINE OFFICES ARE REQUESTED TO SEARCH FOR ANY FILES

OR REFERENCES ON THE SOUTHERN STATES INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL FOR THE

PERIOD 1956-1978. ANY MATERIAL LOCATED ON THIS SUBJECT SHOULD

SE DUPLICATED A'D DIE COPY FURNISHED TO FRI HEADQUARTERS,

SITE TION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY U IT, RECOEDS MANAGEMENT

DIVISION, BY, CLOSE DE BUSINESS JUNE 19, 1979.

0835

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 32

---

## Page 33

VZCZCHQ0085

00 AT BH JN KX LS ME MM NO SL WF

DE HQ 0085 1652149

•ZY EECEE

0 142026Z JUN 78

FM DIRECTOR FBI (62-117290)

TO FBI ATLANTA IMMEDIATE

FBI BIRMINGHAM IMMEDIATE

FBI JACKSON IMMEDIATE

FBI K"OXVILLE IMMEDIATE •

FBI LOUISVILLE IMMEDIATE

FBI MEMPHIS IMMEDIATE

FBI MIAMI IMMEDIATE

FBI "EW ORLEANS IMMEDIATE

FBI ST. LOUIS IMMEDIATE

FBI WASHIGTON FIELD OFFICE IMMEDIATE

BT

U :CLAS EFTO

• HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

HSCA, BY LETTER DATED JUNE 12, 1978, REQUESTED THAT THE

FIELD OFFICE FILES ON THE SOUTHERN STATES INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL

FOR THE PERIOD 1956-1978 FROM ATLANTA, BIRMINGHAM, JACKSON,

-2224

fc2-2

SEARCHED I

SERIALIZED I FILED"

FBI-ATLANTA

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 33

---

## Page 34

PAGE TWO DE HQ 0085 UNCLAS E FI O

KIOXVILLE, LOUISVILLE, MEMPHIS, MIAMI, NEW ORLEANS, SI. LOUIS,

AHID WASHINGTOM FIELD OFFICE, BE PROVIDED ON A PRIORITY BASIS.

RECEIVING OFFICES ARE REQUESTED TO SEARCH FOR ANY FILES

OR REFERENCES ON THE SOUTHERN STATES INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL FOR THE

PERIOD 1956-1978. ANY MATERIAL LOCATED ON THIS SUBJECT SHOULD

BE DUPLICATED AND ONE COPY FURNISHED TO FBI HEADQUARTERS,

ATTE"TION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY U IT, RECORDS MANAGEMENT

DIVISION, BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS JUNE 19, 1978.

BT

0085

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 34

---

## Page 35

6/7/78

TO:

DIRECTOR, FBI (62-117290)

ATTN :

CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT

RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION

FROM:

SAC, ATLANTA (66-2242)

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON

ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

BUDED: 6/12/78

-

Re Bureau letter to Albany, et al, 8/25/67, captioned,

"COUNTERINTELLIGENCE PROGRAM, BLACK NATIONALIS! - HATE GROUPS 9

INTERNAL SECURITY"; Bureau airtel to Albany, et al, 3/4/60,

captioned, "COUNTERINTELLIGENCE PROGRAM, BLACK NATIONALISI -

HATE GROUPS, RACIAL INTELLIGENCE"; and Bureau teletype to

numerous offices Including Atlanta, 6/5/78.

Enclosed for the Bureau are 2 xerox copies each of

2 Atlanta communications as requested by FBIHQ in connection

with captioned mattèr:

Referenced FBIHQ communications of 8/25/67 and 3/4/68,

relative to the Counterintelligence Propram (Cointelpro),

Black Nationalist Hate Groups,

instructed recipients to

Institute a Cointelpro against militant Black Nationalist

Hate Groups; also to set up a control file for this purpose

and to make periodic reports to the Bureau relative to

Cointelpro suggestions dealing with this matter.

FBIHQ in referenced teletype of 6/5/78, pointed out

that the HSCA, which is investigating the assassination of

JOHN F. KENNEDY and MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., had requested that

recipient offices' files be searched and all reports, letterheac

-Bureau (Ene. 4)

-Atlanta

(1 - 66-2242) (HSCA) (Enc. 1)

(1 -

• 100-7182) (Cointelpro - Black Nationalist

Hate Groups) (Enc. 1)

66-2242-38

SEARCHED

EAS/smban

(4)

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 35

---

## Page 36

AT 66-2242

memoranda, airtels, letters and teletypes concerning MARTIN

or the Southern Christian Leadership

.communications of 8/25/67 and 3/4/68, up to and including

12/31/68, be furnished to the HSCA.

FBIHQ also indicated that Bureau files had been

partially processed in response to a similar request, but

to Insure completeness and thoroughness each recipient

office was to furnish FBIHA two xerox copies of any

communication meeting the above mentioned criteria.

Atlanta has reviewed 1ts Cointelpro, Black.

Nationalist - Hate Groups 'file (Atlanta f1le #100-7182)

and 2 xerox copies of the following Atlanta communications

are being furnished to FBIHQ:

(1) Atlantà airtel

to FBIHQ, 3/18/68, captioned,

"COUNTERINTELLIGENCE PROGRAM, BLACK NATIONALIST.

i HATE GROUPS.

RACIAL INTELLIGENCE (WASHINGTON SPRING PROJECT)". (Atlanta

serial 100-7182-4).

(2)

Atlanta airtel to FBIHQ, 4/30/68, captioned,

"COUNTERINTELLIGENCE PROGRAM, BLACK NATIONALIST - HATE GROUPS,

RACIAL, INTELLIGENCE". (This

communication set forth the name

of the agent designated by the Atlanta Office as coordinating

agent for the program but there was nothing in this airtel

pertaining to MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., or the SCLC). (Atlanta

serial 100-7182-9).

This Atlanta control file contained no other

communications prepared by Atlanta dealing with any Cointelpro

LUTER Kit

activities directed against MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., or the

SCLC.

- 2°

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 36

---

## Page 37

2/13/68

AIRTEL

TO?.

DIBECTOR, TBI (108-448006)

FROS:

SAC, ABLANCA (200-7152)

COMNCERTITELLIGIION PROCRAH

BLACK IUZIORALIST • HATE CROUPS

RACIAL INIELLIEANCE

(EA SHINGION SPRING PROJECT)

• Dureau sistel to Atlanta 3/14/68€

Balstinorate cussestion of utiltring & cartoon

to deplos the apparent aimlanca batrock sout and the Hos

has as the surenu nosed, delinute norte. However, atlanta

1a of tho ppinion the lean's suggestion of a pertinent

awapapor article la more approprlate under the circanstances

might load itselt to vidar circulation than & cartoon..

the impact on EXid Di printed atiox is apt to la granter then

material

presonsed in & cartoon do matter lon salially It y

Do presented.

ON 2/23/S6 KING DOC WICh ILÊJAN MUKAIDIAD In thO

lattor's reaidanco in Chicago for the purposo od entiscing

Atlantas

pardinent information describing kind'e reaction to or

this

seating

enicago sources reportad the

nesting was not succosaits in developing shy mutuality

oI cooperation 121025 bacuusO of LOLigions and philosophient,

diftarences bernach

5870-3 reperted anathiAD ossential sonas partieulas

to tho nocting

for publicity purposes and vas statiiied that bait came to

It as noted that during an SCut rotreat Hotd in

atlanta in she niddle of Januery 103% regaiding tie WBP

KING stressed that obtainiug jobs or luzone for Negroes

Would represent # mere fraction or that Thick faorien ouez

(RA)

= Átlanta(T?- 100-7182)

In BaltIDEO (15%m2520) (BUS)

(2: + 157-2684)

2.o Chicago 1051;

ASSt,)ka

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 37

isN

(7)

---

## Page 38

AT 200-7182

the hegro throughout its history, le doclared Anerica

OROS 2I INCalCUlAbIO Jun tO the HOgIO SiD throughout

hiS IDNE JoArs of lnvoluntary servitade laDored ta build

This language alnost sugzosts sons degree of

niterence to teachings oi ELIJAE RURALID.

It Is suggested the prOposed publicity Might de

"Blanted to coarey the thought that the spasiont alliance

between

SCIO 254

the not possibly pron out of the former

seating detroon SING and MUHAMMD; that in connection with

the NSP SCLE is "pushing* the NOL

it BaLtimore.

This di

course, rould raise a question as to the sincerity oi

curasht atatournts that the NSP Lo to be basod on nonriolens

techniques bonuse the position de the not coraid the waite

man de bazichlly one di annihilation.

While KING is curlently seeling the cooperation of

othor organizations to assist sith sci's VSP be has showa up

villingness to use SOLC to assist any other organizatics.

In affort to finance the ust, scLc plans to seal

Iinancial contributions from Negro churches.

Establishing

the thought of an alliance withiche NOI which in opposed to

Chiistianity may vell discourago a favorable reaction on the

part of sone Negro churches.

It 25 fol: KING's reaction to the proposed technique

would be positive for counterimolligence purposes.

KING

considors hinsele a dovotco @ the nonviolent philosophies

of the lato MARATHA GANDHI. To publicly aliga him and/or SCIe

with tho MOl should troublo bin on this basis It is

further conceivable that MURAlIAD may see 14t

to respond to this

publioly shich should cabarass kild further.

.02 3/11/68 AT 138%-I advisea RALPI D. ABERNATELY,

Vice Fresident and Treasurer, SCle, had racontly comented

he felt the SCLE staff employeos assigned to Baltinore for

TSP recruitment were inexperienced and not taking advantago

of opportunities available to then (not explained).

night indicate a current vasinoss in the scle organisation 10

Baltinore and that the proposed technique is tinely.

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 38

---

## Page 39

FD-36 (90V-5-22-64)

Transmit the following in

Via

AIRTEL

FBI

Date: 4/30/68

(Type in plaintext or code)

AIRMAIL

(Priority)

• TO:

DIRECTOR, FBI (100-448006.)

FROM:

SAC, ATLANTA (100-7182) (P)

SUBJECT: COUNTERINTELLIGENCE PROGRAM

BLACK NATIONAJIST - HATE GROUPS

RACIAL INTELLIGENCE

ReBuairtel to Albany and other offices, 3/4/68.

(1) SA EDWARD U. CRIM has been designated by the

Atlanta Office as coordinating agent for this program.

(2) The Atlanta Division has two main black national-

SNCC, with approximately 15 active

members and possibly 25-35 partially active members; and NOI,.

which maintains a Mosque in Atlanta having membership of about

75 to 125, with as many as 160 to 190 people appearing for some

of the open meetings.

It is estimated that, Atlanta SNCC office has very

great potential, and that NOI has very little potential, for

violence, based on information available to Atlanta at this

time.

The following subjects of the Agitator Indes are

considered militant black nationalists and night, in the

future, be considered targets for counterintelligence action

because of their propensity for violence:

H. RAP BROWN (background not being set out

inasmuch as it is felt BROWN is widély known

to all persons handling this program within

the Bureau)

3 - Bureau (RM)

rem Atlanta

ALM: met

(5)

100.-

1182-9

gret,

Approved:

NW 65360 Docld:32989802-qalgêggn: in Charge

-

Sent

_ M

Per

---

## Page 40

to twe

AT 100-7182

STANLEY LE ROY WISE

Executive Secretary of SNCC

WILLIE RICKS

Field Secretary of SNCC working out of the

Atlanta Office

RALPH EDWARD FEATHERSTONE

Program Director for SNCC

(It is noted FEATHERSTONE recently visited

Cuba)

JOHN HENRY MORRIS, aka Johnny Shabazz,

minister of Muhammad's mosque #15, NO1,

in Atlanta

Atlanta hs received reports of MORRIS'

having some contact with SNCC people and dating

ETHEL MINOR, an SNCC functionary in Atlanta).

(3) SNCC is considered of such potential danger

as to warrant consideration for current counterintelligence

action.

This is based on information received concerning

SNCC's purposes, which have been flatly stated as "to cheate

chaos within the United States so that the white population.

can be biought to its knees."

(4)

Atlanta is submitting no overall suggestions

for counterintelligence action at this time.

(5) Atlanta will submit by separate letter sug-

gestions for counterintelligence action against SNCC in

the inmediate future.

LEAD:

ATLANTA

AT ATLANTA, GEORGIA

counterintelligence action

Submit separate letter with suggestions for

against SNCC, as

suggested

in Paragraph 5 page 5 of referenced airtel.

2°

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 40

---

## Page 41

VZCZ CH QO D 85

RR AL AT BA BH BS BU CE CG CI CV DN DE HO IP JN JK KC LA •

ME MM MI MP MO NK NH NO NY OM PH PX PG PD RH SC SL SD SF SE SI

TP WF

DE HQ 0085 1562244

ZNY EEEEE

R 052105Z JUN 78

FM DIRECIOR FB

(62 117290)

TO FBI ALBANY

FBI ATLANTA

FBI BALTIMORE

FBI BIRMINGHAM.

FB.I BOSTON

FBI BUFFALO

FBI CHARLOTTE

FBI CHICAGO

FBI CINCINNATI

FBI CLEVELAND

FBI. DENVER

FBI DETROIT

FBI HOUSTON

FBI INDIANAPOLIS

FBI JACKSON

•FBI JACKSONVILLE

66-2242-37

SEAIE IN TIEN DEE

JUN 5 1978.

FBI-ATLANTA

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 41

---

## Page 42

PAGE TWO DE HQ 0085 UNGLAS E FI O

• FBI KANSAS CITY

FBI LOS ANGELES

FBS MEMPHIS

FBI MIAMI

FB- MILWAUKEE

FBI MINNEAPOLIS

FBI MOBILE

FBI NEWARK

FBI NEW HAVEN

FBI NEW ORLEANS

FBS NEW YORK

FBS OMAHA

FBI PHILADELPHIA

FBI PHOENIX

FBI PITTSBURGH

FBI PORTLAND

FBI RICHMOND

FBI SACRAMENTO

FBI SAN DIEGO

FBI SAN FRANCISCO

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 42

---

## Page 43

PAGE THREE DE HQ 0085 UNCLAS, E F I O

FBI SEATTLE

FBI SPRINGFIELD

FBI ST. LOUIS

FBI TAMPA

FBI WASHINGTON FIELD OFFICE

'BT

• UNCLAS EFTO

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

BUDED JUNE 12, 1978.

RE: BULEI TO ALBANY, ET AL, AUGUST 25, 1967, CAPTIONED

"COUNTERINTELLIGENCE PROGRAM, BLACK NATIONALISI-HATE GROUPS,

INTERNAL SECURITY"' AND "BUAIRTEL TO ALBANY, ET AL, MARCH 4,

1968, CAPTIONED "COUNTERINTELLIGENCE PROGRAM, BLACK NATION-

ALIST-HATE GROUPS, RACIAL INTELLIGENCE".

THE HSCA WHICH IS INVESTIGATING THE ASSASSINATION OF

JOHN F. KENNEDY AND MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., NOTING THAT

REFERENCED COMMUNICATIONS ASKED RECIPIENT OFFICES TO MAKE .

PERIODIC REPORTS TO THE BUREAU, HAS REQUESTED THAT RECIPIENT

FIELD OFFICE FILES BE SEARCHED AND ALL REPORTS, LETTERHEAD

MEMORANDA, AIRTELS, LETTERS AND TELETYPES CONCERNING

NW 65360_ Docld:32989802 Page 43

---

## Page 44

PAGE FOUR DE HQ 0085 UNCLAS E F I O

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., OR THE SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE (SCL) SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO. REFERENCED

COMMUNICATIONS UP TO AND INGLUDING DECEMBER 31, 1968, BE

PREPARED FOR DELIVERY.

THE HSCA REQUESTED THAT OUR RESPONSE IN THIS MATTER BE

GIVEN TOP PRIORTY OVER ALL OTHER ASPECTS OF KING INVESTIGATION.

FBI HEADQUARTERS (FBIHQ) FILES HAVE BEEN PARTIALLY

PROCESSED IN RESPONSE TO A SIMILAR REQUEST, BUT TO. INSURE

COMPLETENESS. AND THOROUGHNESS, EACH RECIPIENT OFFICE FURNISH

FBIHQ TWO XEROX COPIES OF ANY COMMUNICATION MEETING ABOVE

CRITERIA. COPY SHOULD REACH FBIHQ BY JUNE 12, 1978=

ALL COPIES SHOULD BE CLEARLY LEGIBLE AND SHOULD BE SENT

REGISTERED MAIL, MAILED TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL

INQUIRY UNIT, RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION,. ANY QUESTIONS CAN

BE RESOLVED BY CONTACTING SUPÉRVISOR RICHARD C. BUSCHING;

EXTENTION 3685.

RECIPIENI. OFFICES HAVING NO. COMMUNICATION MEETING CRITERIA

ARE TO SO NOTIFY FBIHQ.

BI

D085

DIN_ 65360_Docld:32989802 Page 44

---

## Page 45

JZCZCHCOF 75

AL AI BA BH ES BU CE CE CI CU DN DE HO IP UN JK KE LA

ME MM MI MP MO IX NH NO NY OM PH PX PÒ PO RH SC SL SD SF SE SI

TP UF

• DE HQ 9835 1562244

•ZUY TOFES

P 252105Z JUM 78

Fs DIRECTOR FB

(F9. 117296)

I7 FSI ALBAMY

PBI ATLANTA

66-2242

FST BALTIMORE

FBI BIPMÍNGHAM

FOI FASTON

FRI BUFFALO

FBI GHARLOTTE

FRI CHICAGO

"EI CINCINNATI

FBI CLEVELAND

FEI DENVER

FEI DETROIT

II MOIOS

FBI INDIA APOLIS

FEI JACKSON

FBI JACKSONVILLE

66-2242-37

SEANCHED 20

INDEXD

SERIALZEDN FLED. /rae

JUN 5 1978

FBI-ATLANTA

E.SHEAERS

Tat toate

---

## Page 46

PAGE TWO DE HO

FBI KAISAS CITY

FBI LOS ANGELES

FBS MEMPHIS

FBI MIAMI

FEN MILWAUKEE

FBI MINNEAPOLIS

FBI MOBILE

FBI NEWARK

FBI NEW HAVEY

FBI NEW ORLEANS

IBS NEW YORK

FB- OMAHA

FBI PHILADELPHIA

FBI PHOEMIX

FBI PITTSBURGH

FBI PORTLAND

FBI RICHMOND

FBI SACRAMENTO

FBI SAN DIEGO

FBI SAY FRANCISCO

0335 UNCLAS EFTO

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 46

---

## Page 47

-

PAGE THREE DE MA NOR5 UNCLAS E FIO

FBI SEATTLE

FBI SPRINGFIELD

FEI ST. LOUIS

FBI TAMPA

FBI WASHINGTON FIELD OFFICE

BT

UNCLAS EFTO

HOUSE SELECT COMMITIEE QU ASSASSINATIONS (ISCA)

RUDED JUVE 1R, 1978.

RE: BULET TO ALBANY, ET AL, AUGUST 25, 1967, CAPTIONED

"COUNTERINTELLIGENCE PROGRAM, BLACK NATIONALIST-HATE GROUPS,

INTERNAL SECURITY" AND "BUAIRTEL TO ALEANY, ET AL, MARCH 4,

196E, CAPTINUED "COUNTERINTELLIGENCE PROGRA!!, BLACK NATIOV-

ALIST-HATE GROUPS, RACIAL INTELLIGENCE".

THE HSCA WHICH IS INVESTIGATING THE ASSASSIRATION OF

JOHN F. KENNEDY AND MARTIN LUTHER XINC, JEO, NOTING THAT

RETERENCED COMMURICATIONG ASKED RECIPIENT OFFICES TO MAKE

PERIODIC REPOPTS IS THE BUREAU, HAS REQUESTED THAT RECIPIENT

FIELD OFFICE FILES BE SEARCHED AND ALL REPORTS, LETTERHEAD

METOPANDA, AIRTELS, LETTERS AND TELETYPES CONCERVING

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 47

---

## Page 48

PAGE FOUR DE HE 9035 UNCLASE F TO

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., OR THE SOUTHERN CHFISTIAN

LEADFROHIP CONFEREYCE (SCLC) SUEMITTED PURSUANT TO REFERENCED

CONMUINICATIONS UP TO AND INCLUDING DECEMBER 31, 1968; BE

PREPAPED FOR DELIVERY.

TH. ASCA REQUESTED THAT OUR ESPONSE IN THIS MATTER BE

FBI HEADQUARTERS (FBINA FILFS HAVE BEEN PARTIALLY .

PROCESSED IN RESPONSE TO A SIMILAP REGUEST, BUT TO INSURE

COMPLETENESS AND. THOUGHNESS, EACH RECIPIENI OFFICE FURNISH

FBIHA TWO XEROX COPIES OF ANY COMMUNICATION MEETING ABOVE

CRITEPIAO COPY SHOULD REACH

BIHO BY JUNE 12, 1975.

ALL COPIES SHOULD BE CLEARLY LEGIBLE AND SHOULD SE SENT

REGISTERED MAIL, MAILED ID THE ATTENTION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL

• INQUIRY UNIT, RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION, AUY QUESTIONE CAN

EE RESOLVED. BY CONTACING SUPERVISAS PICHARD CO BUSCHING,

EXTEITIO: 3685.

FECIPISVT OFFICES HAVING NO COMMUNICATION MESTINS CRITERIA

ARF TO SO MOTIFY FBIHO.

ET

- 01285

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 48

---

## Page 49

0-9 (Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

airtel

PRECEDENCE:

CLASSIFICATION:

DATE:

April 21, 1978

EFT MARGIN.)

for

Toj

SAC, Atlanta (66-2242)

From: Director, FBI (62-117290)

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

RE: Atlanta airtel to Bureau, 4/14/78.

Enclosed for Atlanta Division is one envelope

containing latent fingerprints furnished by Atlanta in

referenced airtel.

Latent fingerprints furnished by Atlanta in

referenced airtel have been copied and are being returned

herewith.

Enclosure

"returned +1 464-2386-1998

mind

(Do not type BEYOND THIS MARGIN.)

(Do not type below this line.)

66-2242-36

APN2: 117S

FBI/DOJ

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 49

---

## Page 50

a .=

airtel

April 21, 1978

To: SAC, Atlanta (66-2242)

From: Director, FBI (62-117290)

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

OIT ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

RE: Atlanta airtel to Bureau, 4/14/78.

Inclosed for Atlanta Division is one envelope

containing latent fingerprints furnished by Atlanta in

referenced airtel.

Latent fingerprints furnished by Atlanta in

referenced airtel have been copied and are being returned

herewith.

Enclosure

i trained to 4-25766-1-3)

sand tatia

46-2912-36

-NW65360 Docld:32989802 Page 50

---

## Page 51

4/20/78

TO:

DIRECTOR, FBI (62-117290)

ATTN:

CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT

RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION

FROM:

SAC, ATLANTA (66-2242) (RUC)

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON

ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

BUDED 4/21/78

Re Bureau teletype to Atlanta, Los Angeles, and

Memphis, 3/29/78; Bureau telephone call

to Atlanta, 3/31/78;

and Atlanta letter to FBIHQ, 4/11/78•

By separate package, Atlanta is sending FBIHQ xeroxed

copies of 74 volumes of documents that were in the Atlanta

file on MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.; 100-5586 as requested by

FBIHQ.

Referenced Bureau teletype had indicated that in

connection with the investigation into the assassination of

MARTIN LUTHER RING, JR., the HSCA had requested access to

various field office files, including the entire Atlanta

sécurity file concerning MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., (Atlanta

file 100-5586) • One legible copy of each document in this

Atlanta file was to be furnished to FBIHQ.

2-Bureau

I-Package

2-Atlanta

(1 - 10072320)

(5)

+ 00298-79333

SEARCHED

Hive an

FIED ONL

66-2245435

Que

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 51

---

## Page 52

AT 66-2242

The Bureau also advised Atlanta in referenced

Bureau telephone call, that the isca wanted Atlanta to

first furnish those documents in RING'S Atlanta security

file that covered the period 1/1/68 through 4/30/68, and

When these were xeroxed, they were to be sent to FBIHQ right

away. When this phase was completed, then the remaining

documents in KING's Atlanta file were to be xeroxed and sent

to FBIHQ.

The Atlanta file on MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.,

consisted of 81 volumes and the documents in this file

Rents aunte

covering the period 1/1/68 through 4/30/68 were in volumes

74 through 80: Since the KING file only contained 81 volumes,

Atlanta submitted volumes 74 through 81 with referenced Atlanta

letter to FBIHQ, 4/11/78.

One xerox copy of the following volumes of the

Atlanta file on MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., are being sen't

to FBIHQ at this time:

Volume

I).

Serial Numbers

shipped in volume

or serials not

accounted for on list

of serials removed

from that volume.

None

2)

3)

4)

6)

100-5586

1A exhibits.

100-5586

Volume 1

100-5586

Volume 2

100-5586

Volume 3

100-5586

Volume 4

100-5586

Volume 5

Serials in volume

LA-1 through

1A-38

1-100

None

101 - 175

None

176 - 255

None

256 - 334

None

335 - 389

None

. -2-

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 52

...-

---

## Page 53

AT 66-2242

Volume

7)

100-5586

Volume 6

8)

100-5586

Volume 7

9)

100-5586

Volume 8

10)

100-5586

Volume 9

11)

100-5586

Volume 10

12)

100-5586

Volume 11

13)

100-5586

Volume 12

14)

100-5586

Volume 13

15)

100-5586

Volume 14

16) 100-5586

Volume. 15

17)

100-5586

Volume 16

18)

100-5586

Volume 17

19!

100-5586

Volume 18

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 53

Serials in volume

390 - 447

448 - 524

525 - 578

579 - 640

541 - 710

711 - 760.

761 - 819

820 - 874

875 - 930

931 - 1004

1005 - 1070

1071 - 1135

1136 - 1200

- 3-

Serial Numbers

shipped in volume

of serials not

accounted for on list

of serials removed

from that volume.

None

#470, 495, 496 & 514

None

#600

None

#728

#772 & 779

#820 & 846

Nonè

#962, 967 & 1003

#1039

#1083

#1145, 1161, 1184

& 1191

---

## Page 54

AT 66-2242

Volume

20)

100-5586

Volume 19

21).

100-5586

Volume 20

22) 100-5586

Volume 21

23)

100÷5586

Volume 22

• -

24)

100-5586

Volume 23

25)

100-5586

Volume 24

26)

100-5586

Volume 25

27)

100-5586

Volume 26

28.)

100-5586

Volume 27

29)

100-5586

Volume 28

30)

100-5586

Volume 29

31)

100-5586

Volume 30

32)

100-5586

Volume 31

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 54

Serials in volume

1201 - 1275

1276 - 1335

1336 - 1370

1371 - 1475

1476 - 1593

1594 - 1702

1701 - 1790

1791 - 1866

1867 - 1960

1961 - 2037

2308 = 2348

2349 - 2425

2426 - 2515

- 4-

Serial Numbers

shipped in volume

or serials not

accounted for on list

of serials removed

from. that volume

#1232

#1296

None

#1395, 1454

•&

1464

#1505, 1517

&

1536

#2606, 1693, 1639

1693

None

#1851

#1903, 1916 $ 1937

#1970, 1988 & 2007

None

#2359. & 2388.

#2480. &

2486

---

## Page 55

AT 66-2242

Volume

33)

100-5586

Volume 32

34)

100-5586

Volume 33

35)

100-5586

Volume 34

36)

100-5586

Volume 35

37)

100-5586

Volume 36

38)

100-5586

Volume 37

39)

100-5586

Volume 38

40)

100-5586

Volume 39

41)

100-5586

Volume 40

Serials in volume

2516 - 2569

2570 - 2664

2665 - 2760

2761 - 2856

2857 - 2944

:

. 2945 - 3125

(this volume

was not serialized

correctly - it went

from serial 3010 to

3111, a skip of 100

serials.)

3126 - 3225

3226 - 3345

3346 - 3475

Serial Numbers

shipped in volume

or serials not

accounted for on list

of serials removed

from that volume.

#2525 & 2563

#2578, 2589; 2609,

2613 & 2614

#27.74

#2768 & 2826

#2928

#2954, 2962, 2964,

2981 & 3003

42)

100-5586

Volume 41

347.6 - 3605

#3130, 3155 & 3192

#3239 & 3251

#3366, 33.72 - 3374,

3386 ,

3388;

3395,

3397, 3404, 3406,

3408, 3421, 3430,

3432,

3434, 3436,

3438, 33663 & 3465 -

#3480, 3497, 3527,

3540 & 3553

= 5 -

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 55

---

## Page 56

AT 66-2242

43)

44)

45)

46)

47)

48)

49)

50)

51)

52).

53)

54)

55)

56)

Volume

100-5586

Volume 42

100-5586

Volume 43

100-5586

Volume 44

100-5586

Volume 45

100-5586

Volume 46

100-5586

Volume 47

100-5586

Volume 48

100-5586

Volume 49

100-5586

Volume 50

100-5586

Volume 51

100-5586

Volume 52

100-5586

Volume 53

100-5586

Volume 54

100-5586

Volume 55

Serials in volume

3606 - 3690

3691 - 3800

3801 - 3925

3926 - 4059

4060 - 4200

420] - 4291

4292 - 4410

4411 - 4515

4516 - 4662

. 4663 - 4778

4779 - 4873

4874 - 4977

4978, - 5039

5040 - 5157

- 6 -

Serial Numbers

shipped in volume

or serials not

accounted for on list

of serials removed

from that volume.

#3606, 3609, 3615

3618

#3721 - 3723,

3731,

3/36, 3/401

3745,

3772 - 3777 & 3780

#3823,

3829, 3832,

3835, 3881 & 3894

#3933, 3944, 3987,

3989, 3991, 4017

& 4021

#4093

#4214, 4215, 4240,

4241 & 4249

#4371 & 4372

#3450, 414476 4470, :

44628, 1637, 4638

• #4711 & 4712

#4781

#49.72

None

None

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 56

---

## Page 57

..=

AT 66-2242

57)

58)

59)

60)

61)

62)

63)

, 64)

65)

66)

67)

68)

69)

Volume

100-5586

Volume 56

100-5586

Volume 57

100-5586

• Volume 58

100-5586

Volume 59

100-5586

Volume 60.

100-5586

Volume 6]

100-5586

Volume 62

100-5586

Volume 63

100-5586

Volume 64

100-5586

Volume 65

100-5586

Volume 66

100-5586

Volume 67

100-5586

Volume. 68

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 57

Serials, in volume

5158 - 5244

5245 - 5367

5368 - 5490

5491 - 5563

5564 - 5607

5608 - 5698

5699 - 5774

5775 - 5861

5862 - 5943

5944 - 6051

(should have

been 5943 - 6051)

6058 = 6143

6144 - 6233

6234 - 6314

-7-

Serial Numbers

shipped in volume

or serials not

accounted for on list

of serials removed

from that volume.

None

None

None

None

None

#5660.

#5773.

None

None

None

+ =

•None

None

None

---

## Page 58

AT 66-2242

70)

Volume

100-5586

Volume 69

Serial Numbers

shipped in volume

or seriáls not

accounted for on list

of serials removed

from that volume.

None

71)

72)

73)

74)

100-5586

Volume 70

100-5586

Volume 71

100-5586

Volume 72

100-5586

Volume 73.

Serials in volume

6315 - 6356

it is noted that

this volume had

serialization from

6315 - 6359 but the

next

advertently shown as

6340 with the result of

duplication of serial

6357 - 6446

6447 - 6503

6504 - 6571

6571 - 6680

None

None

None

None,

As the Bureau will note in the above list, in a

number of volumes of the KING file, there are many serials

listed that cannot be accounted for. For the information

of the Bureau, back in 1977, Atlanta had a massive project

of retrieving communications containing electronic surveillance

(elsur) information regarding MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., and

the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) per a

court order in the case captioned, "BERNARD S. LEE V.

CLARENCE M. KELLEY: ET AL (U.S.D.C., D.C.) CIVIL ACTION

NO: 76-1185 AND SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

(SCLC) V. CLARENCE M. KELLEY; ET AL (U.S. D.C., D.C.) ,

CIVIL ACTION NO. 76-1186". In this project, Atlanta

review hundreds of volumes of Atlanta files and retrieve.

thousands of communications containing this elsur information

so these communications could be sent to FBIHl, for eventual

-8-

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 58

---

## Page 59

AT 66-2242

transfer to the National Archives per the court order.

Atlanta in carrying out this project, had to use a large

number of Atlanta personnel, many being unfamiliar with

security type work and communications.

These people had been instructed to list each serial

removed from the file on a form that Atlanta devised for each

files, both these items would be stapled together, resulting

in only the cover airtel serial number being listed on the

form; the LIM serial number would not be noted by the person

removing this communication and as a result it was not recorded.

Atlanta feels this accounts for the bulk of the unaccounted

for serials.

- 9% -

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 59

---

## Page 60

VZCZCHQO 133

RR AT

DE HQ 0133 0910253

ZNR UUUUU

R 312210Z MAR 78

FM DIRECIOR FBI (62-117290)

TO FBI ATLANIA ROUTINE

BT

UNCLAS

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA).

RE INVESTIGATION INTO ASSASSINATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.,

STAFF MEMBERS OF HSCA HAVE REQUESTED TO INTERVIEW SPECIAL AGENT

ROBERT W. THOMSON OF ATLANTA OFFICE. HSCA ADVISED THEY EXPECT TO

HAVE SEVERAL INVESTIGATORS IN ATLANTA DURING WEEK OF APRIL 3-7, 1978,

AND WILL INTERVIEW NUMBER OF RETIRED SPECIAL AGENTS WHILE THERE.

HSC

INVESTIGATORS WILL CONTACT THOMSON AT ATLANTA OFFICE DURING THAT

WEEK TO ARRANGE FINAL INTERVIEW DETAILS.

THOMSON HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM HIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND IS.

AUTHORIZED TO PARTICIPATE IN HSCA INTERVIEW. BRIEFING OF THOMSON BY

REPRESENTATIVE OF LEGAL LIAISON AND CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS UNIT, FBIHQ

66-2242-34

MAR 31'0.3

FBI--ATLANTA

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 60

---

## Page 61

PAGE TWO DE HQ $133 UNCLAS

WILL BE CONDUCIED TELEPHONICALLY PRIOR TO INTERVIEW. FOLLOWING INTER

VIEW, THOMSON SHOULD SUBMIT LETTERHEAD MEMORANDUM CONTAINING BRIEF •

SUMMARY OF INTERVIEW. FORWARD IO FBING BY COVER AIRIEL, ATTENTION:

CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, RECORDS MANAGEMENI DIVISION.

BT

9133

NNNN

-MM 65360_Docld:32989802 Page 61

---

## Page 62

2g elegI0868625 00 090 13

WINTIV- 181

820L T& 8WN

D.:t:

INGUN TUICIOS MINGOINI CL•OBIZZAL CAVA VOSH SU SKU 19015

13

LUTO TE v1

272-99

---

## Page 63

titt

18

STOUN 2810 SH 30 041 3370

---

## Page 64

*

4/14/78

TO:

DIRECTOR, FBI (62-117290)

(ATTN:

CONGRESSIONAL. INQUIRY UNIT

RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION)

FROM:

SAC, ATLANTA (66-2242)

SUBJECT: HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

ON ASSASSINATIONS (H$CA)

BUDED 4/14/78

Re Bureau teletype to Atlanta, 4/7/78.

Enclosed for the Bureau is one xerox copy

each of 14 documents, plus one envelope of latent

prints, which were taken from the Atlanta MURKIN file.

as requested by FBIHA in referenced teletype.

Referenced teletype indicated that the HSCA

had requested that the FBI furnish "all original

transparent latent lifts of value and of no value in

the possession of FBIHa or field offices which were

collected during the course of the MURKIN investigation".

FBIHQ has pulled photographs of all latents of value

submitted by field offices from the FBIHQ MURKIN file.

The Bureau requested Atlanta to review its

MURKIN file for any latent fingerprint l1fts obtained

during the course of the MURKIN Investigation and if

leasible, submit photographs of those lifts.

the actual lifts were to be subaitted to BIHO, which

would be returned to Atlanta after copying by

Atlanta reviewed the lA Section of Atlanta's MURKIN

file (44-2386) as well as the bulkyexhibit sheets and

noted there were 124 lA exhibits and five bulky

exhibit sheets.

Only four lA envelopes and one bulky

exhibit pertained to latent fingerprints obtained during

the course of the Atlanta MURKIN investigation and all of

these were previously sent to FBIHQ in 1968. Only

one of these Atlanta lA exhibit envelores currently

contained latent fingerprint lifts.

606-2242-33

- Bureau

(Enc. 15)

2 - Atlanta

(1-44-2386)

- 66-2242)

EAS: SI

14 DR

SEARCHED

SEAsE are

=-=

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 64

---

## Page 65

AT 66-2242

These lA exhibits and the one bulky exhibit

are set forth below:

1) 44-2386-11-42

This lA envelope noted that this had

contained latents recovered from the right and left

arm rests of the 1966 Mustang, 4/17/68, and were

sent to the Bureau by airtel on 4/18/68. There

were no latent fingerprint lifts in this lA envelope.

A xerox copy of this lA envelope, the

Atlanta airtel to FBIHQ, 4/18/68, and FBIHQ airtel to

Atlanta and Memphis, 4/22/68, regarding these Mustang

fingerprint lifts are enclosed for FBIHQ.

2) 44-2386-14-84

This lA envelope noted that this had contained

19 unidentified latent fingerprints received on 5/1/68,

from the Gwinnett County Police Department, Lawrenceville,

Georgia, and were to be returned to this police department.

These latent fingerprints were, sent to FBIHQ on 5/2/68.

There were no latent prints in this lA envelope.

A xerox copy of this lA envelope, an Atlanta

airtel of 5/2/00, transmitting these prints and a Bureau

ar en do te the results of the examination

3) 44-2386-1A-90

This lA envelope noted that this had contained

15 1ifts of lingerprints obtained fyom the Rome, Georgia

Police Department on 5/3/68; and these were sent t

the Identification Division on 5/13/68, by Atlanta. There

were no latent fingerprint lifts in this lA envelope.

A xerox copy of this lA envelope, and the

Atlanta airtel of 5/13/68, to the Identification Division

are enclosed.

=2 -

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 65

---

## Page 66

As 66-2242

1) 44-2386 3A-98

lA el velope noter that it contained

1" lifts i

seven neratives of latent Ingerprint

impressions crom

Georgia, Police

Department which sad ween returned b

were ente

in the lA Seriion as a new item and showed

18 latenti sauher than 15.

A verox copy of this lA en.elope, a copy of the

FBIid a: tel io Atlanta, 5/21/78, relative to these

latents, and an envelope containiig all these latent

prints is enclosed for FBliit.

5) 14-2386-13-2

This bull exhibit sheet dated 4/15/78, listed

10 items obtainea 1 om JIMMY GARNER, 113-14th Street.

Atlanta, on 4/15/60, & d it showed that items 9 and 10

wa' a noti ion án this bulky

exhibit sheet that these items had been sent to FBI!?

01 4/15/6

A xerox copy of t is bulky exhibit sheet, an

FD- 302

4/15/63, 7d FBI al

an Aulanta airtel to FbIla,

'el to Atlanta and Memphis, 4/16/68,

are enclosed for FBIr

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 66

---

## Page 67

FD-340 (REV. 6-24-68)

File No.

Date Received-

From

By —

44-2386+442

4-17-68

(NAME OF CONTRIBUTOR)

(ADDRESS OF CONTRIBUTOR)

(CITY AND BTATE)

poor

(NAME OF §PECIAL AGENT)

To Be Returned •

Yes

Receipt given • Yes

• No

Description:

Latents recovered

from ity let

wim rests of

16Amustang, 4-17-68

sent to Bu dells 14

aidal, era

66-22160-30

SEARCHED:

• INDEXED,

FILED

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 67

---

## Page 68

4/18/68

AIRTEL

AIRBAIL

*::2.10

...::

..io.

10:

виластов,

FBI

(42-32361)

• ATTRI: LATUNT FINGSRPRINT SECTICN

FROM:

SAC, ATLANTA (14-2536) (P)

SUBJSCY:

MURIIIY

RA

00: Hamphis

On 1/17/63 an additional examination vas

nado of 19SS Justang in this case.

The loit and riond aza rosty varo removed

and Intonio Hold recoverod as zollors:

Three Inbonts from l02t arm rest

Tro latonia inca right arm 205t

• It is notod that this vohielo has bean

exoninod at lense throa prior tines and dusted for

latone prints, consequendly, laichis Locovored

1/37/93 may not ba significant and could bo o1

Burcat porsonnel.

Nevertholess,

it 1s roquestod latents

erclozod be coupared vith previous latonis furnished.

Bureau in this caJo.

Burdau personnol handling the nany ozaainations

Di this car 210:

3-Dureau (the. 5) (PIl)

Eritlanta

JB9/3ja

(5) .42

Jab

1 681-2886-663

_MW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 68

---

## Page 69

AT 44-2386

SA ALDEN I: HILLER, SA JACK T. BEVERSTEIN,

SA RICHARD I. DAVIS, SÀ JACK B. SIMPSOE,

SA CARL E.

CLAIRCRIE, abd Autonotivo Hachanic DUAND C. PRISION, JR.

= :

194200. 90422 943

"='

="".

2÷

:t?"

.....

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 69

---

## Page 70

0-9 (R82-5-22034)

FBI

Date: 4-22-68

Transmit the following in

Via

Airtel

(Type in plaintexi or code)

(Priority)

To:

V From:

MURKIN

SAC'S, Atlanta (44-2386)

Memphis (44-1987)

Director, FBI (44-38861)

• :

Re Atlanta airtel 4-18-68, submitting five trans-

parent lifts from '66 Mustang.

Latent impressions on these lifts lack sufficient

ridge detail to be of value for identification purposes.

The lifts are being retained temporarily in the

Latent Fingerprint Section.

"D'"

-1033

SEARCHED

— INDEXED

SERIALIZED

..FILED..

APR 3 3, 1968

FBI- ATLANTA

Sent Via

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 70

_M Per.

---

## Page 71

FD.840 (REV.8-24-85)

File No.

44-2386-1484

Date Received-

5/1/68

twinnett o. 1. 1

(CITY AND STATI

By —

Richard 7

Nares

(NAME OF SPECIAL AGENT)

To Be Returned

Receipt given [] Yes.

- NO

No

Description:

19 Unidentified Latent linger-

prints

TO BE RETURNED TO

GWINNETT CO. P.P.

Jobses

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 71

---

## Page 72

1=115

DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861)

5/2/68

ATTN:

LATENT FINGERPRINT SECTION

SAC, ATLANTA (14-2386) (P)

HURKIN

(00: HEMPHIS) •

Re Bureau teletype to Atlanta, 4/29/68.

Enclosed for the Latent Fingerprint Section are

19 3 x 5 cards with unidentified latent lingerprints.

These

cards are fron the Grinnett County Police Department,

Lawrenceville, Georgia, which started such a file just a

fow months ago.

The Latent Fingerprint Section is requested to

compare the enclosed prints with those of subject, JAMES

EARL RAX (I.0. $4182) and then roturn the prints

to Atlanta

so they can be returned to the Gwinnett County Polico

Department.

2 - Bureau (Enc. 19) (RM).

• Atlanta

RAD: 1cc

ON YELLOW COPY ONLY

on 5/1/68, Sherit HOKE HUSTON, Gwinnett Co. so,

advised he did

not have

an unidentified latent

fingerprint file.

hr.

44 - 23866156/

1; NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 72

---

## Page 73

0-j (Rov. 5-22-64)

F BI

Date:

5/8/68

Transmit the following in

Via

Airtel

(Type in plaintext or code)

(Priority)

To: SAC's Atlanta (44-2386) - Enclosures (19)

Memphis (44-1987)

/ From: Director, FBI (44-38861)

MURKIN

Re Atlanta letter 5/2/68, submitting nineteen cards

bearing forty-one transparent lifts of latent impressions from the

files of the Gwinnett County Police Department, Lawrenceville,

Georgia, for examination.

The latent impressions appearing on these lifts

are not identical with the fingerprints of James Earl Ray, FBI

#405942G.

The cards bearing the lifts are enclosed to Atlanta.

These latent prints have not been photographed.

• NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 73

44-2-386-1815

SEARCHED

SERIALIZED.

INDEXED

_FILED

# 7,1968

ATLANTA

-Dam: 7

---

## Page 74

PD-340 (REV. 6-24.65)

File No

Date Received

From_

By -

44-2386-1790

5/3/65

Key Tallent

(NAME OF CONTRIBUTOR)

DDRESS OF COETR

(CITY AND STATE)

(NAME OF SPECIAL AGENT

To Be Returned I

Description:

Yes

No

Receipt given

• Yes

D No

ildent did.

15713/68

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 74

---

## Page 75

:

DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861)

5/13/68

Attn:

Identification Division

Latent Fingerprint Section

SAC, ATLANTA (44-2386) (P)

MURKIN

(00: MEMPHIS)

Enclosed for the Latent Fingerprint Section are

15 unidentified latent fingerprint lifts developed bj

the Rome, Georgia, Police Department In their crime scene

Investigations subsequent to the time of JAMES EARL RAy's

escape from prison.

It is requested that any identiflable latente

contained on the lifts be compared with the available

fingerprints of JAMES EARI, RAY, I.O. #4182.

The lifts should be returned. to the- Atlanta upon

completion of examination for return to the Rome Police

Department.

2 - Bureau (Enc. 15) (RM)

Nemphis

Atlanta

TAN: 1cc

i NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 75

414-2-386-1849

---

## Page 76

FD-940 (REV, 6.24-65)

4=2386

- 1 A 98

m

File No.

Date Received

From-

-5/22/68

BUREAU

(NAME. OF CONTRIBUTOR)

(ADDRESS OF CONTRIBUTOR)

(CITY AND STATE)

By -

(NAME OF 'SPECIAL AGENT)

To Be Returned • Yes

• No:

Receipt given • Yes

• No

Description:

18 lifts and seven negatives of

latent si Impressions from the files

of the Rome, Georgia, Police

Department.

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 76

---

## Page 77

(Re

• ¿4)

FBI

Date: 5-21-68

Transmit the following in

Via

Airtel

(Type in plaintext or code)

(Priority)

To:

"From:

MURKIN

SAC'S, Atlanta (44-2386)

- Enc. (29)

Memphis (44-1987)

Director, FBI (44-38861)

Re Atlanta letter 5-13-68, submitting eighteen

lifts and seven negatives of latent impressions from the files

of Rome, Georgia, Police Department for examination.

Latent fingerprints appearing on these lifts and

in the negatives are not identical with the fingerprints of James

Earl Ray, FBI #405942G. No palm prints Identification Division

files for Ray.

The lifts, negatives, and four identifying envelopes

enclosed to Atlanta. No photographic copies of the latent prints

were prepared for Bufiles.

44-230671936

_FiLED.

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 71

rant iiir

---

## Page 78

Bulky Exhibit - Inventory of Prope

FD-192 (Rcv. 10-6-65)

equired os Evidence

Date.

5/15/65

Tille and Chargiler of Case

Date Property Acquired

4/15/s5

Location of Property or Bulky Exhibit

Source From Which Property Acquired

Jimine

Reason for Retention of Property and Efforts Made to Dispose of Same

Evidénce.

Description of Property or Exhibit and Identity of Agent Submitting Same

3) By Sir Pep Minick Runs Line Pres a Papes- C7 lie

9 Latint Lies numbered 1-12.

10-

" nunise A-l Thrw A-3

"Dent Poe

Agent 4115165

SEMANNUAL INVENTORY CERTIFICATION TO JUSTIFY RETENTIÓN OF PROPERTY (inicial and Dite)

Field File #

#4-2351-821

NW 65360 *Docld:32989802 Page 78

---

## Page 79

FD-302 (104- 1-15-61)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date

April 22, 1968

The following Items were personally taken via commercial

airline to Washington, D. .C., FBI Laboratory, and turned over to:

SAM CLARK, Hair and Fibre Section of this Laboratory, on April 15,

1968, by SA JOHN B. REYNOLDS:

1. Bed linen

2. Three (3) cigarette butts

3. City street map of Atlanta, book of paper

matches and lined piece of paper

4.

Newspaper utilized for shelf cover in wardrobe

5. Pink slip of paper with name "JIMMY OWEy"

written thereon

6. Keyhole saw on top of wardrobe

T. Cigarette butt

8. Section of newspaper dated April 7, 1958

9. Latent lifts numbered one through twelve

10. Latent lifts numbered Al through A3

On

4/15/68

_at

[NW 65360 Dold: 32989803-Rage 79REY OLD.

Atlanta, Georgia

_File #

Atlanta 44-2386-/7/0.

1/20/58

---

## Page 80

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NW 65360-Docid32989809-Page=80—

14- 2385- 351

---

## Page 81

F BI

Date:

4/16/68

Transmit the following in

Via

Airtel

(Type in plaintex's or code)

(Priority)

To:, SAC's, Atlanta (44-2386)

Memphis (14-1997)

From: Director, FBI (41-38861)

MURKIN

Re Atlanta letter and teletype 4/15/68, and delivery of

evidence 4/15/68, by SA J. B. Reynolds.

Two latent fingerprints developed on piece of lined paper, Q168,

and two latent palm prints developed on newspaper from shelf, Q169. These

Items from Room 6 at 113 14th Street, N. E., Atlanta, Georgia.

Nine latent palm prints of value found on lifts A-1, A-3, A-5,

A-9, A-10, A-11, and A-12. No other latent impressions of value found or

developed.

These latent impressions compared with latent impressions

previously reported in this case, but no identification effected. Latent prints

not identical with fingerprints of suspect Harold George Anderson, FBI

• #4156402. No palm prints here for Anderson.

Lifts A-4 and A-7 are of no value and have been destroyed.

Results of laboratory examination and disposition of all other submitted items

are subjects of separate report.

Jup"D"

11*386.544

SEARCHED

SERIALIED a FIES...

APR 1 7 1968

Sent Via

NW. 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 81.

_M Per

---

## Page 82

AR AT

DEING 0119 0980217

ZER QUUUU

R 0721442 APR 75

FM DIRECTOR FBI (68-117298)

TA FBI ATLANTA ROUTINE

662242

B•T

UNCLAS

MOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA).

NSÇA BY LETTER DATED MARCH 23, 1978, REQUESTEM IN JART

THAT THE FBI FURNISH "ALL ORIGINAL TRANSPARENT LATENT LIFIS

OF VALUE AND ON NO VALUE IN. THE POSSESSION OF FBI HEADQUARTERS.

OR' FIELD OFFICES WHICH WERE COLLECTES DURING THE COURSE OF THE.

MURKI' INVESTIGATION'"

HSCA AGREED TO LIMIT FIELD. OFFICE REQUEST TO ATLANTA ANT

MEMPHIS OFFICES. PHOTOS DE ALL LATENIS OF VALUE SUBMITTED BY

FIELD OFFICES HAVE BEEN PULLES FROM NEADQUARTERS FILE. ASCA

AGRESO TO ACCEPT PHOTOS. OF LIFTS RATHER THAN ACTAL LIFTS.

ATLANTA IS REQUESTED TO REVIEW MURKIN FILE FOR ANY LATENT

166-2242

SEARCHED MY INDEXERY

SERIALIZED ANO FILED

APR

Y 1978

AILA

NW 65360 Doeld: 32989802 Page 82

-3

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## Page 83

PASE IMD DE NE @119 UNGLAS:

'PI GERPRIVT LIFIE STAINCO DURING COURSE OF INVESTIGATION AND,

IF TRASIBLE, ZUMIT PHOTOGRAPHS OF THOSE LIFTS. IF NOT

POSSIBLE CUBMIT ACTUAL LIFIS SWICH ÄFTER COPYING WILL gE

RETUR'EN TO SUBMITTICE DEFICE! " EACH. LIFT SUSMITTED

PHOTORAPR OR ACTUAL, SATULO BE IDENTIFIED AS TO. WHICH

SEFIAL I. ATLANTA FIELO OFFICE FILE CONTAINS DESCRIPTIVE

FORMAITO" CONCERNIS THAT LIFT. REQUESTEN INFORBATION

SHOULD DE SUBMITIED TO FBI HEADQUARTERS, ATTENTION:

ÇO PRECIO AL LGUIRY USIT, RECORDS MANAGEMENT. DIVICION,

BY GLEEF OF SUSTHESE APRIL 14. 1978.

0115

1. *

NW. 65360 Docld:32989802 'Page 83

---

## Page 84

VZCZCHQ0119

RR AT

• DE HQ

0119 0980217

Z NR UUUUU

R D72144Z APR 78

FM DIRECTOR FBI (62- 117290)

TO FBI ATLANTA ROUTINE

BT

UNCLAS

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)..

HSCA BY LETTER DATED MARCH 23, 1978, REQUESTED IN IART

THAT THE FBI FURNISH "ALL ORIGINAL TRANSPARENT LATENT LIFTS

OF VALUE A"D OD NO VALUE IN THE POSSESSION OF FBI HEADQUARTERS

OR FIELD OFFICES WHICH WERE COLLECTED DURING THE COURSE OF THE

MURKI! INVESTIGATION. "

HSCA AGREED TO LIMIT FIELD OFFICE REQUEST TO ATLANTA AND

MEMPHIS OFFICES. PHOTOS OF ALL LATENTS OF VALUE SUBMITTED BY

FIELD OFFICES HAVE BEEN PULLED FROM HEADQUARTERS FILE. HSCA

AGREED TO ACCEPT PHOTOS OF LIFTS RATHER THAN ACIAL LIFTS.

ATLANTA IS REQUESTED TO REVIEW MURKIN FILE FOR ANY LATENT

SEARCHED.

2 INEXED..

SERIALIZES A

66-2242-31

APR 8 1978

FBI- ATLANTA

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 84

---

## Page 85

PAGE TWO DE HQ DI19 UNCLAS

FINGERPRINT LIFTS OBTAINED DURING COURSE OF INVESTIGATION AND,

IF FEASIBLE, SUBMIT PHOTOGRAPHS OF THOSE LIFTS. IF NOT

POSSIBLE SUBMIT ACTUAL LIFTS WHICH AFTER COPYING WILL BE

RETURED TO SUBMITIING OFFICE. EACH LIFI SUBMITTED,

• PHOICGRAPH OR ACTUAL, SHTULD BE IDENTIFIED AS TO WHICH

SERIAL I" ATLANTA FIELD OFFICE FILE CONTAINS DESCRIPTIVE

I "FORMATION CONCERNING THAI LIFT. REQUESTED INFORMATION

SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO FBI HEADQUARTERS, ATTENTION:

CONGRESSIO AL INQUIRY UNIT, RECORDS MANAGEMENI DIVISION,

BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS APRIL 14, 1978.

BT

0119

ISHA, 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 85

---

## Page 86

4/6/78

TO:

DIRECTOR, FBI (62-117290)

(ATTN: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT

RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION)

FROM:

SAC, ATLANTA (66-2242)

SUBJECT: HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS

(HSCA)

Re Bureau airtel to Atlanta, 3/29/78.

Enclosed under separate cover for the

Bureau is one xerox copy of 19 volumes of serials

from Atlanta file 170-290, as requested by the Bureau.

Referenced Bureau airtel pointed out that

the HSCA had made a request of FBIHQ for files relating

to former AT 1387-E, and as a result the Bureau requested

Atlanta to expeditiously provide FBIHQ with one

xerox copy

of this informant's files, namely, Atlanta file 170-290

Atlanta noted that Atlanta file 170-290 consisted

of 19 volumes and these have been xeroxed by Atlanta and

are being

; sent to FBIHQ.

These volumes are as follows:

1) 170-290, Volume 1, Serials lAl through 4,

Serials 1 - 200.

2) 170-290, Volume 2, Serials 201-296.

3. - Bureau

Atlanta

02- 66-2242)

(1-170-290)

LAS:SI

015-79

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 86

SEARCHED_

1R39X:)

FiED BusE

66-2242-30

---

## Page 87

AT 66-2242

3) 170-290, Sub By Volume 1, Serials I-104.

• 4) 170-290A, Volume 1, Serials 1 - 174:

5): 170-290A, Volume 2, Serlals 175-301.

6) 170-290A, Volume 3, Serials 302-445.

7) 170-290A, Volume 4, Serials 446-560.

8) 170-290A, Volume 5, Serials 561-678.

9). 170-290A, Volume 6, Serials 679-810.

10) 170-290A, Volume 7, Serials 811-950, (serial

819 was shipped in serialization.)

11) 170-290A, Volume 8, Serials 951-1067.

12) 170-290A, Volume 9, Serials 1068-1175.

13) 170-290A, Volume 10, Sexials 1176-1285.

14) 170-290A, Volume 11, Serials 1286-1380.

15) 170-290A, Volume 12, Serials 1381-1503.

16) 170-290A; Volume 13; Serials 1504-1610,

(serial

1599 was shipped in serialization.)

17) 170-290A, Volume 14, Serials 1611-1713.

18) 170-290A, Volume 15, Seriais 1712-1848.

19) 170-290A; Volume I6, Serials 1849-2036.

Relative to Atlanta file 134-389, it was noted

that this file had been destroyed by the Atlanta Office on

12/1/17, In the course of the normal destruction of file:

-2 -

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 87

---

## Page 88

AT 66-2242

In the 134 category, per FBIHQ Instructions dealing

wich the field file destruction program,

as set forth

In Bureau letter to all offices, 10/28/17, captioned

"DESTRUCTION OF FIELD FILES AND RECORDS".

NW 65360 Docld: 32989802 Page 88

---

## Page 89

4/6/78

TO:

DIRECTOR, FBI (62-117290)

(ATTN: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT

RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION)

FROM:

SUBJECT:

SAC, ATLANTA (66-2242)

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS

(HSCA)

Re Bureau airtel to Atlanta, 3/29/78.

Enclosed under separate cover for the

Bureau is one xérox copy of 19 völumes of serials

fron Atlanta flle 170-290, as requested by the Bureau.

Referenced Bureau airtel pointed out that

the HSCA had made a request of FBIHQ for flies relating

to former AT 1387-E, and as a result the Bureau requested

Atlantalto expeditiously provide FBIHQ with one xerox copy

of this informant's files, namely, Atlanta file 170-290

and Atlanta file 134-389.

Atlanta noted that Atlanta file 170-290 consisted

of 19 volumes and these have been xeroxed by Atlanta and

are being sent to FBIAQ.

These volumes are as follows:

1) 170-290, Volume 1, Serials lAl through 4,

Serials 1 = 200.

2) 170-290, Volume 2, Serials 201-296.

3 - Bureau

Atlanta

(2-66-2242)

(1 = 170-290)

EAS: 8r

(6) 5M

66-2242-30

SEARCHED

S2H11.2D

sur

F. for

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 89

---

## Page 90

AT 66-2242

3) 170-290, Sub B, Volume 1, Serials 1-104.

4) 170-290A, Volune 1, Serials 1 - 174.

5) 170-290A, Volume 2, Serlals 175-301.

6) 170-290A, Volume 3, Serlals 302-445.

7) 170-2901, Volume 4, Serlals 446-560.

8) 170-290A, Volume 5, Serials 561-678.

9) 170-290A, Volume 6, Serials 679-810:

10) 170-290A; Volume 7, Serials 811-950, (serial

819 was shipped in serfalization.)

11) 170-290A, Volume 8, Serials 951-1067.

12) 170-290A, Volume 9, Serials 1068-1175.

13) 170-290A, Volume: 10, Sertals 1176-1285.

14) 170-290A, Volume 11, Serials 1286-1380.

15) 170-290A, Volume 12, Serials 1381-1503.

16) 170-290A, Volume 13, Serials 1504-1610,

(serial 1599 was shipped in serialization.)

17) 170-290A, Volume 14, Sertals 1611-1713.

18) 170-290A, Volume 15, Serlals 1712-1848.

19) 170-290A, Volume 16, Serials 1849-2036.

that this file had been destroyed by the Atlantà Office on

no send she

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 90

---

## Page 91

AT 66-2242

In the 134 category, per FBIHQ Instructions dealing

wien the field file destruction program,

set forth

In Bureau letter to all offices; 10/28/77, captioned

"DESTRUCTION OF FIELD FILES AND RECORDS".

- 3-÷

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 91

---

## Page 92

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 92

---

## Page 93

0-9 (Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

Airtel

PRECEDENCE:

CLASSIFICATION:

DATE: 3/29/78

To:

SAC, Atlanta (170-290)

/From:

Director, FBI (62-117290)

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON

ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

Enclosed for Atlanta is one copy of waiver given by

James Harrison to HSCA dated 3/13/78.

Per HSCA letter dated 3/13/78, request was made for

all files relating to James Harrison, former Comptroller of

the SCLC in Atlanta.

The Committee provided a copy oI

enclosed waiver from Harrison for his informant file.

#This line for LEFT MARGIN.)

On 3/23/78, the Committee was provided a copy of

Bufile 134-11126, relating to Harrison (former AT 1387-E) •

This release was

coordinated with the Criminal Informant Unit,

Criminal Investigative Division.

The Committee has requested that the Atlanta

Field Office informant file also be provided.

Atlanta is requested to expeditiously provide FBI

Headquarters with a copy of informant file(s) for AT 1387-E

AT 170-290 and AT 134-389) to the attention of Congressional

Inquiry Unit, Records Management Division.

Enclosure

(Do not type BEYOND

THIS MARGIN.)

Sale

66-2242

(Do not type below this line.)

handled-

airtel a Xerox

Coples of 19

rolumes o,

Infomants

files

Sent to FBIH@

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 93

on 411118865

CARCHED

---

## Page 94

...

...

Airtel

3/29/78

To :

SAG, Atlanta (170-290)

From: Director, FBI (62-117290)

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON

ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

Enclosed for Atlanta, is one copy of waiver given by

James Harrison to HSCA dated 3/13/78.

Per HSCA letter dated 3/13/78, request was made for

all files relating to James Harrison, former Comptroller of

the SCLC in Atlanta.

The Cormittee provided a copy of

enclosed waiver from Harrison for his informant file.

ButILE 134-11126

This release was coordinated with the Criminal Informant Unit,

Criminal Investigative Division.

The Committee has requested that the Atlanta

Field Office informant file also be provided.

Atlanta is requested to expeditiously provide FBI

Headquarters with a copy of informant file(s) for AT 1387-E

(AT 170-290 and AT 134-389) to the attention of Congressional

Inquiry Unit, Records Management Division.

Enclosure

Co 2 2 3/

- lies

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 94

---

## Page 95

March 14, 1978

To whom it may concern:

I do hereby authorize the House Select Committee on Assassinations

to obtain the F.B.I. files relating to my activities as an informant.

/ Same Hairson

heheated

3/14178

V. ONtalle

3/14/78

(10:es a sliz/28

gth

-NW-65360-Docld:32989802_Page 95

---

## Page 96

4/11/78

TO:

DIRECTOR, FBI (62-117290)

ATTN: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT

RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION

FROM:

SAC, ATLANTA (66-2242) (P)

HOUSE SELECI COLMITTEE ON

ASSASSINATIONS (ESCA)

BUDED 4/21/78

Re Bureau teletype to Atlanta, Los Angeles, and

Hemphis 3/29/78, and Bureau telephone call to Atlanta 3/31/78.

By separate package, Atlanta is sending FBIHQ,

xerox copies of 8 volumes of documents. that were in the

Atlanta file on MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., 100-5586 - volumes

74 through 81 as reguested by FBIHQ.

Referenced Bureau teletype had indicated that

in connection with the investigation into the assassination

Of MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., the HSCA had requested access

to various field office files including the entire Atlanta

security file concerning MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., (AT file

100-5586) •

One legible copies of documents

in this Atlanta

file was to be furnished to FBIHQ.

The Bureau subsequently advised Atlanta in referenced

Bureau telephone call, that the HSCA wanted Atlanta to

first furnish those documents in KING's Atlanta security

file that covered the period 1/1/68 through 4/30/68 and

2 - Bureau

Package

2).

Atlanta

66-2242)

100-5586)

(5)

46-2243-28

SUT - GOING

' one vis

SEARCHED

SERIALIZED.

WIDEXED

Fia sise

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 96

---

## Page 97

AT 66-2242

when these were xeroxed they were to be sent to FBIll right

away. inen this phase was completed, then the remaining

documents in KING's Atlanta file were to be xeroxed and

sent to FBIHQ.

Atlanta noted that the Atlanta file on MARTIN

LUTHER RING consists of 81 volumes and that the documents

In this file covering the period 1/1/68 - 4/30/68 were in

volumes 74 through 80.

since the KING file only containe

1 volumes, Atlanta decided to submit volumes 71 througi

81 at this time and the remaining volumes, namely I through

73, will be sent to FBIHQ as soon as they are xeroxed by

Atlanta.

One xerox copy of the following volumes of the

Atlanta file on MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., is being sent

to FBIHQ at this time.

1. 100-5586

volume 74

Serials 6681 - 6801

2. 100-5586

Volume 75

Serials 6802 - 6906

3. 100-5586

4. 100-5586

Volume 76

Serials 6907 - 7028

Volume 77

Serials 7029 - 8000

(the serialization in this volume

5. 100-5586

i

6. 100-5586

7. 100-5586

Volume 78

Serials 8001 - 8107 (serial 8016

skipped in serialization)

Volume 79

Serials 8108 - 8199.

Volume 80

Serials 8200 - 8325

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 97

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## Page 98

AT 66-2242

8. 100-5586

Volume 81 (last volume)

Serials 8326 - 8361

As mentioned previously, Atinta will send the

xeroxed copies of the documents in Volumes 1 through 73

to FBIHQ as soon as they are completed.

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 98

---

## Page 99

• VZCZCHQO 125

RR AT LA ME

DE HQ D125 0890355

ZNR UUUUU

R 292135Z MAR 78

FM DIRECTOR FBI (62- 117298)

TO FBI ATLANTA

ROUTINE

FBI LOS ANGELES ROUTINE

FBI MEMPHIS ROUTINE

BI

UNCLAS

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA); BUDED: APRIL 21,

8:

IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE ASSASSINATION

OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., THE HSCA HAS REQUESTED ACCESS TO FIELD

OFFICE FILES IN THE FOLLÖWING INVESTIGATIONS: 1. ATLANTA-ENTIRE

SECURITY FILE CONCERNING MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., (AT FILE 180-5586) .

2.

MEMPHIS-ENTIRE SECURITY FILE CONCERNING KING (100- 4105), AND THE

ENTIRE SECURITY FILE CONCERNING COMINFIL, SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSH

CONFERENCE (SCLC) (15.7-166). 3: LOS ANGELES-KING SECURITY FILE

(100-57229), AND COMINFIL, SCLC (10D-65141)., BUT ONLY FOR THE PERIOD

JANUARY 1, 1967, THROUG JUNE 3D, 1968.

66-2242-27

SEARCHED R

-INDEXED -

SERIALIZED RE FILED

HARR: 100;

NW. 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 99

FBI-ATLANTA

---

## Page 100

'PAGE TWO

DE HQ 0125 UNCLAS

RECIPIENTS SHOULD FURNISH FBIHQ ONE LEGIBLE COPY OF DOCUMENTS IN

THE ABOVE FILES. IT WILL ONLY BE' NECESSARY TO FURNISH

A COPY OF THE FIRST PAGE

OF ANY SERIAL PREVIOUSLY SENT TO FBIHQ.

ALL OTHER SERIALS IN THESE FILES WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY

FURNISHED TO FBIHQ SHOULD BE REPRODUCED IN THEIR ENTIRETY...

ITEMS WHICH CANNOT BE READILY PHOTOCOPIED SUCH AS PHOTOGRAPHS;

MAGAZINES, OR OTHER BULKY ITEMS, SHOULD BE DESCRIBED

IN THE COVER AIRTEL SUBMITTING THE MATERIAL TO FBSHQ.

ALL MATERIAL SHOULD BE FORWARDED BY COVER AIRTEL TO FBIHQ,

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION,

BY APRIL 21, 1978.

'BT

$ 125

NNNN •

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 100

---

## Page 101

VZCZCHCO 1E5

SR AT LA ME

DE NO 9125 3492355

ZOR UUUUU

R 292135Z 419 73

FM DIRECTOS FSI (82-117292)

TO FOI ATLANTA ROUTIME

66-2242

FBI LOS ANGFLIS

ROUTITE

FBI YENPHIS

ROUTINE

BT

INCLAS

H0135

SELSCI COMMITTEE DI ASCASGINATIONS CHSOA); BUDEE:

3/31/18 - Jay Aldhiger

in

100-5586.

• do- 1657ta ta4/68

firsta

APaIL ?1,

IN COMECTION HITH THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE ASSASCINATIO:

OF MARTII LUTHER KIIG, JRO, THE USCA HAS RECUTOTED ACCESS TO FICLO

OFFICE• FILTS IN THE FOLLOWISE INVESTIGATIONS: 1. ATLANTA-ENTTP*

SECURITY FILE GONCEZNING MARTIN LUTHES KING, URey CAT FILE 119-55-9).

MEMPHIS-PITIRE SECURITY FILE COUCERHING SING (17T-4105), AND TIT

ESTIPE GECURITY FILE CONCEPNING COMINFIL, SOUTHERY CHRISTIR" LEADERRE

COTFERENCE (5CLC) 1157-165). 5O LOS ANGELES-KING SECURIIY FILE

1100-57229), AND COMINFIL, SOLO (IST-S5141), LIT OULY FOR THE PEFIOD

JANUARY 1, 1967, THEOUO JUVE 33, 195%.

DASHe Di

NW 65360

Docid. 2989802 Page 101

sisten

66-22

2 72-27

SEARCHED,

SERIAL DEN Per

Pevry

---

## Page 102

PACE TWO DE KQ 7125 UNCLAS

RECIPIENTS SHOULD FURNISH FBIHE QUE LECIELE COPY OF DOCUMENTS IN

THE ABOVE FILES. IT WILL ONLY BE NECESSARY TO FURNISH

A COPY OF THE FIEST PAGE OF ANY SERIAL PREVIOUSLY SENT TO FEINC.

ALL OTHER SERIALS IN THESE FILES WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN PREVIOUOLY

FURNISHED TO FBIHE CHOLLD SE REPRODUCED IN THEIR ENTIRETY.

ITEMS WHICH CAVNOI BE FEADILY PHOTOCOPIED SUCH AS PHOTOGRAPHS,

MAGAZINES, OR OTHER BULKY ITEMS, SHOULD BE DESCRIED

IN THE COVER AIRTEL SUEMITTING THE MATERIAL. TO FBSHA.

ALL MATERIAL SHOULD BE FORWARDED BY COVER AIRTEL TO FBIHQ,

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, RECORDS MARACEMENT DIVISIO%,

BY APRIL 21, 19780

BT

3125

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 102

---

## Page 103

3/22/78

TO:

FROM:

DIRECTOR, FBI (62-117290)

ATTN: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT,

RECORDS MANAGEMENT SECTION

SAC, ATLANTA (66-2242) (C)

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

ON ASSASSINATIONS

(HSCA)

Re Bureau teletype to Atlanta, 3/17/78;

telephone conversations between SÄ RICHARD D. RACKLEFF

(AT) and SA JOHN ALDHIZER, Congressional Liaison,

and SA DAN COULSON, Legal Unit, on 3/17/78.

Enclosed are the original and five copies

of self-explanatory LIM reflecting the interview

Of SA RACKLEFF at Atlanta, Georgia by HSCA Investigators

ROBERT WALKER and FLOYD REBYES on 3/20/78.

hoR

Atlanta

RDR/prw

13) pul

...

Rableth

nonesos

SEARCINED

SERRIED C

FLED A

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 103

16-2242-26

---

## Page 104

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

In Reply, Please Refer 2o

File No.,

Atlanta, Georgia

March 22, 1978

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

ON ASSASSINATIONS

(HSCA)

Special Agent (SA) Richard D. Rackleff,

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Atlanta

Division, was contacted telephonically on Friday,

March 17, 1978 by Robert Walker who identified

himself as a Staff Investigator for the House Select

Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) • Walker made

arrangements to meet with SA Rackleff at the

intersection of North Avenue and Spring Street, Atlanta,

Georgia, at 11:00 AM on Monday; March 20, 1978.

walker stated he would be in the company

Staff Investigator whom

a black male.

At 11:00 AM on March 20, 1978, SA Rackleff

met with Robert walker and floyd Reeves, both of

whom displayed credentials identifying themselves

to be members of the Investigative Staff of the U. S.

of the thals

Congress.

Reeves conducted the questioning and requested

the information relating to the neighborhood canvassing

conducted by SA Rackleff in the vicinity of North

Highland Street and Ponce de Leon Avenue in April,

1968.

Reeves inquired as to the person or persons

coordinating the investigation conducted in the Atlanta

Division and specifically asked whether other areas

6-Bureau

@Atlanta (66-2242)

07 54

66-2242-25

SEARCIED

SERIALIZED

dare

INDEXED_

FLED Circ

NW 65360- Docld:32989802 Page 104

---

## Page 105

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

ON ASSASSINATIONS

(HSCA)

of Atlanta were canvassed in addition to this one

Reeves specifically asked if other

areas which were identified by markings on a map

recovered from the apartment of James Earl Ray were

canvassed in addition to this one area near North

Highland Avenue and Ponce de Leon.

SA Rackleff explained he could not recall

specifically how many markings were on the map, but

believed there were basically four areas marked.

He stated three of these markings were identifiable

as being significant to the approximate location

of the home and church of Doctor Martin Luther King,

JI. and the apartment of James Earl Ray.

The fourth

marking on the map as recalled by SA Rackleff was

not significant or identifiable with any known activity

of either James Earl Ray or Dr. King, and therefore

an extremely thorough, door-to-door survey was conducted

in an area well beyond the boundaries of the fourth

marking on the map. Each and every adult member

of each household was contacted and interviewed concerning

any knowledge or association with James Earl Ray

or DI. Martin Luther King.

Photographs of Ray were

displayed and as best as could be recalled, there

was no pertinent information developed specifically

identifying any associates of either James Earl Ray

'or Dr. King.

The Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta

Division was identified as Frank Hitt, and the Assistant

• Special Agent in Charge at that time was identified

as Jack Keith, Jr.

Mr. Reeves requested an additional interview

•of SA Rackleft in the Conference Room

at the Headquarters

of the Atlanta Police Department at 3:00 PM on that

same date for the purpose of displaying a replica

2

NW 65360 Docid:32989802 Page 105

---

## Page 106

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

ON ASSASSINATIONS

(HSCA)

of the map recovered from Ray's apartment. At 3:00

PM, a second interview was conducted by Mr. Reeves

and Mr. Walker.

Mr. Reeves displayed what he

identified to be a replica of the map recovered from

Ray's apartment in April, 1968 and also displayed

a legal sized handwritten paper showing separate

investigations conducted by SA Harry Lee, SA James

Riordan, and SA Rackleff in 1968.

The investigation

by SA Rackleff identified the streets and addresses

canvassed during the neighborhood investigation.

SA Rackleff explained that he reported to

the Atlanta

Office in about January 1968, and at the time of

the investigation of the King assassination, he was

not familiar with the streets and locations.

Rackleff

was unable to recall specifically observing

the map displayed by Mr. Reeves, however, did

identify three of the general areas marked as being

the approximate location of the home and church of

DI. King and the apartment of James Earl Ray near

14th Street and Peachtree Street, N.E. The fourth

marking on the map was identified as the area in

which SA Rackleff conducted

the above described

neighborhood investigation.

SA Rackleff expressed his full and complete

cooperation with the investigation of Mr. Walker

and Mr. Reeves and Mr. Reeves stated they were very

much appreciative and

might request additional

interviews at a later date.

3*

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 106

---

## Page 107

FD-36 (Rey: 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

[X] Teletype

• Facsimile

[ Airtel

Retunto mag.8k

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

= Immediate

Priority

[& Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

O TOP SECRET

O SECRET

O CONFIDENTIAL

DEFTO

Date

3/22/78

977

Approved:

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 107

FM ATLANTA (66-2242) (RUC)

TO DIRECTOR (62-117290) ROUTINE

BT

UNCLAS

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, RECORDS MANAGEMENT

DIVISION

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA); BUDED

MARCH 24, 1978

RE BUREAU TELETYPE TO ATLANTA, BIRMINGHAM, CHICAGO,

LOS ANGELES, MEMPHIS, AND NEW ORLEANS., MARCH 21, 1978.

REFERENCED TELETYPE ADVISED THAT IN CONNECTION WITH

CAPTIONED MATTER, THAT RECIPIENIS FURNISH THE IDENTITIES

OF CASE AGENT(S) IN THE UNITED KLANS OF AMERICA (UKA)

INVESTIGATION FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY, 1967 THROUGH

DECEMBER 31, 1968; ALSO TO FURNISH THE CURRENT STATUS

OF THE AGENT OR AGENTS AND THEIR LOCATION, IF KNOWN.

ATLANTA REVIEWED ITS FILE FOR THE UKA (157-193) AND

CD - ATLANTA

EAS: sr

(1)5n

6

s.u566-2223

-24

SEARCINED

MORALE MUSLid

Transmitted -

(Number)

22352

(Time)

Per _

GRO: 19770-225-539

---

## Page 108

PAGE TWO AT (66-2242) UNCLAS

NOTED THE FOLLOWING RELATIVE TO THE CASE AGENTS) IN

THE UKA INVESTIGATION DURING THE PERIOD JANUARY,

1967 -

DECEMBER 31, 1968:

AS OF JANUARY 1, 1967; TO JULY 20, 1967 - FORMER

SPECIAL AGENT RICHARD HAMILTON - RETIRED - CURRENTLY

RESIDES AT 5820 KAYRON DRIVE, NORTHEAST, ATLANTA, GEORGIA,

TELEPHONE NUMBER 404-255-2353.

JULY 20, 1967, TO MARCH 8, 1968 - SPECIAL AGENT

JAMES J. ROSE, CURRENTLY ASSIGNED TO THE NEW YORK FBI

OFFICE.

MARCH 8, 1968, TO DECEMBER 9, 1968 - FORMER SPECIAL

AGENT RICHARD HAMILTON.

DECEMBER 9, 1968, TO DECEMBER 31, 1968 - FORMER

SPECIAL AGENT CARL E. CLAIBORNE, RETIRED, LAST KNOWN TO

BE RESIDING AT 7840 CEDAR CREST ROAD, KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

37981.

BT

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 108

---

## Page 109

AI0977 RE122352

BR KO

DE AI

R 262235Z WAR 79

FUL ATLA"TA (66-ZEAR) (RUC)

TARINECTOR (6°-117253) ROUTINE

BT

ATTE"IT': CO GRESSITAL INQUIRY UNIT, RECORDS MANAGEMENT

SIVITIN'.

KUSE SELECT COMMITTES 0% ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA>; LUDED

MARCH 24, 1978

RE SUREAU TELETYFE TO ATLANIA, BIRMINGHAM, CHICAGO,

LO: ACCELES, MEMPHIS, ADD "EW ORLEANS, MARCH 21, 1978.

REFITE CEO TELETYPE ADVISED THAI IN CONNECTION WITH

CAFTID EN MATTER, THAI RECIPIENTE FURNISH THE ICENTITIES

OF CASE AGE'TES) IN THE UNITED KLANS OF AMERICA (UKA)

I VESTIGATIN FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY, 1967 THROUCH

DECEMBER 51, 1963; ALSO TO FURNISH THE CURSENT STATUS

OF THE AGE"I OR AGE"IS A'D-THEIR LOCATION, IF KNOWN.

ATLA TA REVIENED ITS FILE FOR THE UNA (157-193) AND

66-2242-24

SEARCHED

SEPTIZED

tue.

INDEXED_

ELLED

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 109

---

## Page 110

PAGE TWO

AI (66-2242) UNGLAS

NOTED THE FOLLAWING RELATIVE TO THE CASE AGENTS) IN

THE UKA I'VESTIGATION DURITE THE PERIOD JANUARY, 1967 -

DECEMBER 31, 1968:

AS OF JA UARY 1, 1967, TO JULY 20, 1967 - FORMER

SPECIAL AGEVT RICHARD HAMILTON - RETIRED - CURRENTLY

RECIDES AT 5223 KAYRON DRIVE, NORTHEASI, ATLANTA, GEORGIA,

IELEPHO E UMBER 404-255-2355.

JULY 20, 1967, TO MARCH 8, 1968 - SPECIAL AGENT

JAMES U, ROSE, CURRENTLY ASSIGNED TO THE NEW YORK FBI

OFFICE,

MARCH 8; 1969, TO DECEMBER 9, 1968 • FORMER SPECIAL

AGEST RICHARD MAMILTON.

DECENDER S, 19G8, TO DECEMBER. 31, 1268 - FORMEF.

(PECIAL AGE I CARL E. CLAIBORNE, RETIRED, LAST KNOWN TO

DE RESIDI G AT 7840 CEDAR CREST ROAD, KNOXVILLE, TENNESEE

37981.

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 110 •

---

## Page 111

VZCZCHQOD96

RR AT BH CG LA ME NO

DE HQ 0B96 0810408

ZNR UUUUU

R 210237Z MAR 78

FM DIRECIOR FBI (62-117290)

TO FBI ATLA'ITA ROUTINE -

FBI BIRMINGHAM ROUTINE

FBI CHICAGO ROUTINE

FBI LOS ANGELES ROUTINE

FBI MEMPHIS ROUTINE

FBI NEW ORLEANS ROUTINE

UNCLAS

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA) •

BUDED MARCH 24, 978.

IN CONNECTION WITH ITS INVESTIGATION INTO THE

ASSASSINATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., THE HSCA DESIRES TO

IDENTIFY AND POSSIBLY LATER INTERVIEW CASE AGENT(S) WHO

HANDLED INVESTIGATION OF THE UNITED KLANS OF AMERICA (UKA)

DURING 1967-1968 IN THE ABOVE OFFICES.

IN RESPONSE TO THIS HSCA REQUEST, RECIPIENIS FURNISH

IDENTITIES OF CASE AGENT(S) IN UKA INVESTIGATION FOR PERIOD

66-22/2-23

SEARCHED.

INDEXED, -

SERIALIZE Lece FILED MUM

MAR?: 11903

FBI-ATLANTA

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 111

---

## Page 112

PAGE IWO DE HQ D096 UNCLAS

JANUARY, 1967, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1968• INCLUDE

APPROXIMATE TIME PERIODS IF MORE THAN ONE AGENT WAS

ASSIGNED UKA CASE AND CURRENT STATUS AND LOCATION OF

AGENT, IF KNOWN.

SUBMIT RESULIS BY TELETYPE IO FBIHQ, ATTENTION:

CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, RECORDS MANAGEMENI DIVISION,

BY MARCH 24, 1978.

BT

0096

S NNN

NW 63368 469Ta: 32589802 Page 112

---

## Page 113

V.ZCZCHG 0096

RR AT BM CO LA ME NO

D?. HQ: 909S. 0816408

Z#R WUUUU

R 2102372 MAR 78

FI DIRECTOR FBI (62-117292)

TO FBI ATLA TA ROUTINE

6-2242

FET BIRMI GHAM ROUTINE

FBI CHICAGO ROGTIE

FBI LOS ANGELES ROUTINE

FBI MEMPHIS ROUTINE

F51, JEW. ORLEANS ROUTINE

UNCLAS

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA) •

BUDED MARCH 24,

978.

I' Ch "ECTION WITH IIS INVESTIGATION INTO THE

ARSASSI ATIO: OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, UR., THE HSCA DESIRES TO

IDT TIFY. A D POSSIBLY LATER INTERVIEW CASE AGENTS) WHO

HANDLES I VESTICATIO OF- THE UNITED KLANS OF AMERICA CUNA

DURI E 1967-1958 IN PHE ABOVE OFFICES.

I RESPONSE IÓ THIS HSCA REQUEST, RECIPIENTS FURNISH •

IDE TITIES (P CASE AGENTS) IN UKA INVESTIGATION FOR PERION

Res

66-2242-23

"par

SEARCHED

INDEXED;

SERIALIZED /we FILED

MAR 2 1 1978

FBL-ATLANTA

Et Sheate

---

## Page 114

PAGE TWO DE KG

B096 UNCLAS

JANUARY: 1967, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 19680 INCLUDE

APPROXIMATE TIME PERIODS IF MORE THAN ONE AGENT WAS

ASSIG ED UKA GASE AND CURRENT STATUS AND LOCATION OF

AGENT, IF N OWN.

SUBMIT RESULIS BY TELETYPE TO FOIMO, ATTENTION:

CO"GRESSIO AL I QUIAY UNIT, RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION,

BY MARCH 24, 1978.

Đ&S6

NW. 6538d boLid:2989802 Page 114

---

## Page 115

AN AT*

2e85: 2761755

I PR

+* 1719652- MAR 79.

FA DrineToR For. (62-117290)

TO FBI ATLANTA ROUTIME

S-TV

MOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE OM ASSASSINATIONS (HECA) •

TA CO COTID WITH INVESTISATION BY THE MSCA INTO THE ASSASSINA-

*IO Or MAFTI LUTHER KING, URO, STAFF MENDERS OF THE HSCA HAVE REQUES

=TRO + TATERVIES SPECIAL AGENT RIGHARD D. MACKLEFF OF INE ATLANTA

OFFICE, THE COMMITICE HAS ADVISED TRAT AN ESTIMATED TIME FOR THE

INTERVICH IS 3E MINUTES AND DESIRES INTERVIEW TAKE PLACE OM MONDAY,

MARCH 2A, 1072. 15 ATLANTA• TWO MECA INVESTIGATORS, FLOYD REEVES

•A'O ROBERT WALTER, WILL CONTACT RACKLEFF AT TRE ATLANTA OFFICE ON

MARCH SO, I9TE, TO ARRANGE FIRAL INTERVIEW DETAILE.

HACKLEFF MAS BEEN RELEASED FROM HIS EMPLOYHENT AGREEMENT AND 18

AUTHORIZEO TO PARTICIPATE IN HSCA INTERVIEN. BRIEFING OF RACKLEFF DV

R-PRESERTATIVE OF THE LEGAL LIAISON AND CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS UNIT.

66-2242. 22 c

SEARCHED:

LINDEXED H

SERIALIZED Me FILED:

MAR 1 7 1970

FBI-

Ricke

ASAL

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 115

---

## Page 116

CA23 UNCLAS

FORCE MÁM CONDUCTED TELEPROVICALLY DE MARCH LE, 197801 FOLLOWING

•I DERVE RACHLEFF-CHOULM SUUULT LETTEAHEAD MEMOSANNEM CONTAINING

MATE SUMMARY OF INTERVIFCO FOCAGO TO FULLE EY COVER AIRTEL,"

•NOISIAIG INANDOWN SOLODBE RIIND ALIMONI TILISSTIO DO MI. BLiN

13 T

C023

47017032

AT

MME COLEND

Hange 116

---

## Page 117

FD-36 (Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

[& Teletype

• Facsimile

[ Airtel

Tag - deri

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

& Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

7 TOP SECRET

I SECRET

• CONFIDENTIAL

XEFTO

• CLEAR

Date

3/8/78

818

FM ATLANTA (66-2242)

TO DIRECTOR, FBI (62-112790) PRIORITY

BT

'EFTO

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

RE FBIHQ TELEPHONE CALL, TO ATLANTA, MARCH 2, 1978,

AND FBIHQ TELETYPE TO ATLANTA, MARCH 3, 1978.

FBIHQ ADVISED ATLANTA IN REFERENCED TELETYPE THAT THE

HSCA, BY LETTER DATED. FEBRUARY 3, 1978, REQUESTED THE FBI

PROVIDE THE COMMITTEE. WITH PHOTOGRAPHS OF ALL ATLANTA AGENTS

ASSIGNED TO THE SECURITY INVESTIGATION ON DR. MARTIN LUTHER

KING, JR., DURING THE PERIOD 1967-1968. THIS REQUEST WAS

INTERPRETED TO INCLUDE ALL ATLANTA AGENTS ACTIVELY ENGAGED

IN THE SECURITY INVESTIGATION OF KING DURING THE PERIOD IN

QUESTION. AS A RESULI, ATLANTA WAS REQUESTED BY FBIHQ TO

FURNISH THE BUREAU WITH A LIST OF ALL ATLANTA AGENTS

ASSIGNED TO KING'S SECURITY INVESTIGATION BY COB MARCH 8, 1978

6612242-226

1266-2242

1-100-5586

• EAS: 1Jg

SEARCHED

SERIALIZED

INDEXED

FILED

Aire

Transmitted

818

(Number)

1630

(Time)

Per

0087

GPO: 19770-225-539

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 117

---

## Page 118

PAGE TWO AT (66-1131) EFT O

ATLANTA. NOTED THAT THE ATLANTA SECURITY INVESTIGATION

FILE FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., ATLANTA FILE 100-5586,

CONSISTED OF 81 VOLUMES, CONTAINING 8361 SERIALS. VOLUMES

59 TO 80: COVERED THE PERIOD 1967-1968.

THIS SECURITY INVESTIGATION OF KING BY ATLANTA HAD

.. BEEN ASSIGNED TO SA ALAN G. SENTINELLA ON MAY 21, 1965,

AND SA SENTINELLA HAD THIS CASE ASSIGNED TO HIM FOR THE

• ENTIRE PERIOD OF 1967-1968. SA SENTINELLA'S. ATLANTA

SUPERVISOR DURING 1967 AND 1968 WAS SA CHARLES S. HARDING.

ATLANTA THEN REVIEWED VOLUMES 59 THROUGH 80 OF THE KING

SECURITY FILE AND IT WAS NOTED THAT SA ALAN G. SENTINELLA

APPEARED TO BE THE ONLY ATLANTA AGENT THAT TOOK AN ACTIVE

PART IN THE HANDLING OF THIS CASE IN 1967-1968. SA SENTINELLA

PREPARED ALL OUTGOING COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING KING, HIS

NAME WAS SHOWN IN THE BLOCKSTAMP OF ALMOST ALL. THE INCOMING

COMMUNICATIONS TO ATLANTA REGARDING KING,

AND IN ADDITION,

SA SENTINELLA HANDLED THE ONE INFORMAVO, NAMELY FORMER

AT 1387-R, WHO FURNISHED A GREAT DEAL OF INFORMATION

REGARDING KING DURING 1967-1968.

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 118

---

## Page 119

PAGE THREE AT (66-2242) E FT O

THERE WAS NO INDICATION. FROM THIS REVIEW OF KING'S

FILE THAT ANY OTHER ATLANTA AGENTS TOOK AN ACTIVE PART IN

THE INVESTIGATION OF KING OR WERE ASSIGNED TO THE KING

INVESTIGATION.

IN THIS FILE REVIEW, ATLANTA ONLY NOTED ONE INSTANCE

DURING THE PERIOD 1967-1968 IN WHICH ATLANTA AGENTS MADE ANY

PHYSICAL OBSERVATION OF KING AND THAT WAS ON APRIL 25, 1967,

WHEN STANLEY LEVISON VISITED ATLANTA. KING AND LEVISON WERE

OBSERVED ON THIS. OCCASION OUTSIDE SCLC HEADQUARTERS IN

• ATLANTA: AND LATER AT THE ATLANTA AIRPORT WHERE LEVISON

BOARDED. A PLANE FOR NEW YORK. THE AGENTS MAKING THESE

OBSERVATIONS WERE SA'S ALAN G. SENTINELLA, JOHN F. CUNNINGHAM,

EDWARD U. CRIM, AND JAMES J. ROSE.

BT

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 119

---

## Page 120

AT0818 0571530

pP HE

DE AT

P 081630Z MAR 78

FM ATLANTA (65-2242)

TO DIRECTOR, FBI (62-112792) PRIORITY

EFTO

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

RE FBIHO TELEPHONE CALL TO ATLANTA, MARCH 2, 1978,

AND FBIHQ TELETYPE TO ATLANTA, MARCH 3, 1973.

FBIHQ ADVISED ATLANTA IN REFERENCED TELETYPE THAT THE

HSCA, BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 3, 1978, REQUESTED THE FBI

PROVIDE THE COMMITTEE WITH PHOIOGRAPHS OF ALL ATLANIA AGENTS

ASSIGNED IO THE SECURITY INVESTIGATION ON DR. MARTIN LUTHER

XING; JR. y DURING THE PERIOD 1957-1968. THIS REQUEST WAS .

INTERPRETED TO INCLUDE ALL ATLANTA AGENTS ACTIVELY ENGAGED

IN THE SECURITY INVESTIGATION OF KING DURING THE PERIOD IN

QUESTIO%, AS A RESULI, ATLANTA WAS REQUESTED BY FBIHO TO

FURNISH THE BUREAU WITH A LIST OF ALL ATLANTA AGENTS

ASSIGNED TO KING'S SECURITY INVESTICATION BY COB MARCH 8, 1978.

6612245-336

SEARCHED

SEPIAIZED

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 120

---

## Page 121

PAGE TWO AT (65-1131) EFTO

ATLANTA NOTED THAT THE ATLANTA SECURITY INVESTIGATION

FILE FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., ATLANTA FILE 108-5586,

CONSISTED OF &1 VOLUMES, CONTAINING 8361 SERIALS. VOLUMES

59 TO 8O COVERED THE PERIOD 1967-1958.

THIS SECURITY INVESTIGATION OF KING BY ATLANTA HAD

BEEN ASSIGNED TO SA ALAN GO SENTINELLA ON MAY 21, 1955,

AND SA SENTINELLA HAD THIS CASE ASSIGNED TO HIM FOR THE

ENTIRE PERIOD OF 1967-1963. SA SENTINELLA'S ATLANTA

SUPERVISOR DURING 1957 AND 1968 VAS SA CHARLES S. HARDING.

ATLANTA THEN REVIEWED VOLUMES 59 THROUGH SO OF THE KING

SECURITY FILE AND IT WAS NOTED THAT SA ALAN G. SENTINELLA

APPEARED TO BE THE ONLY ATLANTA AGENT THAT TOOK AN ACTIVE

PART IN THE HANDLING OF THIS CASE IN 1967-1968. SA SENTINELLA

PREPARED ALL OUTGOING COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING KING, HIS

NAME WAS SHOWN IN THE BLOCKSTAMP OF ALMOST ALL THE INCOMING

COMMURICATIO"S TO ATLANTA REGARDING KING, AND IN ADDITION,

SA SENTINELLA HANDLED THE ONE INFORMATION, NAMELY FORMER

AI 1357-R, WHO FURNISHED A GREAT DEAL OF INFORMATION

REGARDING KING DURING 1967-1963.

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 121

---

## Page 122

PAGE THREE AT (66-2242) EFT 0

THERE WAS NO INDICATIOT FROM THIS REVIEW OF KING'S

FILE THAT ANY OTHER ATLANTA AGENIS TOOK AN ACTIVE PART IN

THE INVESTIGATION OF XING OR WERE ASSIGNED TO THE KING

INVESTIGATION.

IN THIS FILE REVIEW, ATLANIA OULY NOTED ONE INSTANCE

DURING THE PERIOD 1967-1958 IN WHICH ATLANTA AGENTS MADE ANY

PHYSICAL OBSERVATION OF KING AND THAT WAS ON APRIL 25, 1967,

WHEN STANLEY LEVISON VISITED ATLANTA. KING AND LEVISON WERE

OBSERVED ON THIE OCCASION QUISIDE SCLC HEADQUARTERS IN

ATLANTA AND LATER AT THE ATLANTA AIRPORT WHERE LEVISON

BOARDED A PLANE FOR NEW YORK. THE AGENIS MAKING THESE

OBSERVATIONS WERE SA'S ALAN G. SENTINELLA, JOHN FACUNUINGHAM,

EDWARD U. GRIM, AND JAMES J. ROSE.

BT

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 122

---

## Page 123

HGOC SO 5622246

'RS AT

DE MO

R E32140Z MẠR 73

FM DIRECTOR 662- 112798).

TO ATLANTA ROUTINE

ET

EFT

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE DU ASCASSINATIONS (HEGA).

REBUTELCAL TO ATLANTA MARCH 2, 1978.

HECA BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 3, 1978, RECUESTED FBI

PROVIDE THE COMMITTEE WITH PHOTOGRAPHS OF ALL ATLANTA AGENTS

ASSIGNED TO THE SECUNITY INVESTIGATION DE DR. MARTIN LUTHER

KING, JR., DURING TRE PERIOD 1957-19630

DURINGRETELCAL IT WAS

EXPLAIVED TO SA PERRY, ATLAVIA.

DIVISION, THAT REQUEST INTERPRETED IO INCLUDE ALL ATLANTA

ASTUTS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE SECURITY INVESTIGATION OF KING

• DURING PERIOD IN QUESTION. AT PRESENT TIME LECAL COUNSEL

DIVISION IS VEGOTIATING WITH HSCA OVER PROPOSED USE OF

PHOTOGRAPHS.

AILANTA REQUESTED ID FURNISH BUREAU WITH LIST OF ALL

66-2242-220

SEARCHED -

HAR 3 13,3

1 FBI- ATLANTA

10rcK

---

## Page 124

на, 1

PASE TWO (52-112790) EFTO

ATLANTA AGENTS ASSIGNED TO KING'S SECURITY INVESTIGATIO!!

AS STATED ABOVE BY COS MARCH 3, 1975.

BT

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 124

---

## Page 125

HQOD 69 0622240

RR AT

DE HQ

R D32140Z MAR 78

FM DIRECTOR (62-112790)

TO ATLANTA ROUTINE

BT

EFTO

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA) •

REBUTELCAL TO ATLANTA MARCH 2, 1978.

HSCA BY LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 3, 1978, REQUESTED FBI

PROVIDE THE COMMITTEE WITH PHOTOGRAPHS OF ALL ATLANTA AGENTS

ASSIGNED TO THE SECURITY INVESTIGATION ON DR. MARTIN LUTHER

KING, JR., DURING THE PERIOD 1967-1968.

DURINGRETELCAL IT WAS EXPLAINED TO SA PERRY, ATLANTA

DIVISION, THAT REQUEST INTERPRETED TO INCLUDE ALL ATLANTA

AGENTS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE SECURITY INVESTIGATION OF KING

DURING PERIOD IN QUESTION. AT PRESENT TIME LEGAL COUNSEL

DIVISION IS NEGOTIATING WITH HSCA ÖVER PROPOSED USE OF

PHOTOGRAPHS.

ATLANTA REQUESTED TO FURNISH BUREAU WITH LIST OF ALL

16-2242-2-20

SEARCHED

INDEXED.

SERIALIZED L

VALE

MAR 3

3 1978

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 •Page 125

---

## Page 126

PAGE TWO (62-112790) E FI O

ATLANIA AGENTS ASSIGNED TO KING'S SECURITY INVESTIGATION

AS STATED ABOVE BY COB MERCH 8,

1978.

BT

• NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 126

---

## Page 127

XX

2/28/78

TO:

DIRECTOR, FBI (62-117290)

(ATTN: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT

RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION)

FROM:

SAC, ATLANTA (66-2242)

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON

ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

BUDED 3/3/78

Cincinnati su dou surtee o/At/anta, Birmingham, Chicago,

Enclosed for the Bureau is one xerox copy each

of 193 Atlanta

• logs and communications relative to cap-

tioned

matter.

Referenced Bureau airtel pointed out that the

HSCA was currently conducting investigation into the assas-

sination of President JOHN F. KENNEDY and MARTIN LUTHER

KING, JR.

In connection with the KING matter, the HSCA

had been advised that the National States Rights Party

(NSRP) , JESSE B. STONER, and DI. EDWARD FIELDS, were sub--

jects

of electronic surveillance (Elsur) by the

FBI.

The

HSCA, by letter dated 2/8/78, requested access to FBI

materials pertaining to the Elsurs of these subjects during

the period 1956 to 1965.

The Bureau airtel went on that appropriate records

at FBI Headquarters were checked and disclosed that JESSE B.

STONER had been the subject of a telephone surveillance by

the Atlanta Office from 10/10/63 to 2/18/64, at 100½ Hunter

Street, Atlanta, Georgia.

This coverage was also in connec-

tion with the Bapbom case and the Elsur was assigned the

symbol numbers, AT 1377-S* and AT 1378-s*.

2 - Bureau (Enc.

• 193)

2 - Atlanta

66-2242) (Enc. 1)

-

66-825)

66.2.942-22

EAS/cW

EiS

(4)

SEARCHED

SERIALIZED C

Tric

INDEXED

FIED 0. C

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 127

---

## Page 128

AT 66-2242

The Bureau requested that Atlanta review pertinent

indices and investigative files regarding the above mentioned

Elsur on STONER and to retrieve all material pertaining to

the authorization, installation and removal of this Elsur,

plus all communications, logs, and transcripts which contain

Elsur results.

One legible copy of these items was to be

furnished to the Bureau.

Atlanta has reviewed appropriate files in connec

furnished to FBI Headquarters:

Atlan

ta

al:

57-

0o

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 128

- 2 -

---

## Page 129

AT 66-2242

Atlan

al

april

15

-582

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 129

-

3

---

## Page 130

AT 66-2242

Atlanta Serials 157-582 A-128

-4-

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 130

---

## Page 131

AT 66-2242

Atlanta Serials 157-582 A-197

190

199

200

201

202

203

209

210

211

212

213

214

215

216

221

222

223

224

225

228

229

230

237

238

239

240

241

242

243

244

245

246

247

248

249

250

255

256

257

258

259

260

261

262

263

- 5 -

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 131

---

## Page 132

AT 66-2242

Atlanta Serials 157-582 A-264

Atlanta Serials 157-582 A-216

265

266

267

268

274

275

277

278

279

280

281

282

283

275

281

318.

somewhat faint on the xerox copies. efforts to improve

the quality of these particular copies of the Elsur logs

were unsuccessful as the light blue ink does not copy

It is noted that Atlanta has placed a three by

five card as a flag on the serials listed below, namely:

Atlanta Serials 157-582 A-33

100

104

120

134

135,

as these serials had information in various paragraphs,

that by its nature, identified a former confidential source

of the Atlanta Office and this information should be deletec

prior to being furnished to the HSCA. These three by five

card flags set forth the appropriate paragraphs that should

be deleted in these serials.

-6%-

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 132

---

## Page 133

AT 66-2242

Case

Agent

Period

assigned

Conmunist infiltration

of the SCIC

ROBERT R.

NICHOLS

ALDEN F.

MILLER

ALAN G.

SENTINELLA

O. RICHARD

HAMILTON

O. RICHARD

HAMILTON

4/17/62 -

12/1/64

12/1/64 -

4/26/66

4/26/66 -

3/12/71

3/12/71 -

5/23/73

7/10/73 -

10/20/73

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 133

Division;

Section, or

Squad of

Assignment

Atlanta - #3

Atlanta - #3

Atlanta - #3

Atlanta - #3

Atlanta - #3

5*

Nature of

Agent's Assign-

ment prior to

involvement in

KING and SCLC

investigations

Security/extremist

investigations

Security

investigations

Security/extremist

investigations

Extremist

investigations

---

## Page 134

File-Serial Charge Out

FD-5 (Rev. 8-17-70)

# U.S. G.P.O. 1973-493-150

File -

Date =

Serial No.

21

Class.

Case No.

Last Serial

Pending

• Closed

Description of Serial

Xerox copy of 193 Atlanta logs

and communications relative to

HSCA, which was enclosure

to Atlanta airtel to the

Bureau, 2/28/78-(Serial 22)

Date

Charged

MAINTAINED IN SEPARATE VOLUME AS ONE SERIAL

Employee

RECHARGE

Date -

To -

. From_

niti

Clerk

=

Date Charged

Employee

NW 65360 Docid: 32983802 Page 134

---

## Page 135

0-9 (Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

PRECEDENCE:

CLASSIFICATION:

To :

- AIRTEL

DATE:

: 2:/16/78

(This line for LEFT MARGIN.)

SACS,

Atlanta

Birmingham

Chicago

Cincinnati

Louisville

from:

Director, FBI (62-117290):

HOUSE SELECT. COMMITTEE

ON ASSASSINATIONS '(HSCA)

BUDED.:

3/3/78 -

The HSCA is currently conducting investigation

into the

assassination of President John F. Kennedy and

Martin Luther King, Jr. In connection with the King

matter, the HSCA

has. been advised that the National States

Right's Party. (NSRP) , Jesse B. Stoner and Dr. Edward Fields

were subjects of electronic surveillance by the FBI. The

HSCA, by letter dated 2/878, requested access to FBI

materials pertaining to electronic surveillances of these

subjects during the period 1956 through 1965.

Appropriate records at FBIHQ disclosed the

below information concerning electronic surveillance of

the following subjects:

NATIONAL STATES RIGHTS: PARTY.

(1) Subject of microphone surveillance during

. 5/6 - 7/59 at the Atlantic Hotel, Chicago,

Illinois (CG: 6323-C* : (RAC).) •

(Do not type BEYOND THIS MARGIN.)

(Do not type below this line.)

66-2242-20

SERALES EC FIDDLE

FEB 2 1 1977

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 135

---

## Page 136

Airtel to SACs, AT, BH, CG, CI, LS.

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON

ASSASSINATIONS

(2.)

Subject of microphone surveillance during

3/19 - 20/60 at the Midway Lodge, Miamisburg,

Ohio (CI 389-C* (RAC)) .

(3)

(4.)

Subject of microphone surveillance on 6/16/62 at

the LaSalle Hotel, Chicago, Illinois (CG 6556-S*).

Subject of telephone surveillance from 10/25/63 to

11/22/63 at the NSRP Headquarters, also the residence

of Jack K. Warner, 1865 Bessemer Road, Birmingham,

Alabama.

(BH 292-*). This coverage

was in

connection with the BAPBOMB case (BHfile 157-352) •

JESSE B. STONER

(1) Subject of telephone surveillance from 10/10/63

to. 2/18/64 at his residence, 100 1/2 Hunter St.,

Atlanta, Georgia.

(AT 1377-S* and AT 1378-5*)

This coverage was also in connection with the

BAPBOMB investigation (ATfile 66-825).

DR. EDWARD FIELDS

(1)

Subject of microphone surveillance from 2/28/64 to.

3/1/64 at the Sheraton Hotel, Louisville, Kentucky

(LS 337-RAC*).

This hotel was site of an

• NSRP

convention but installation was not

feasible except to

cover the motel room of Fields.

It is noted that FBIHQ files reveal authorization

of other electronic surveillances of the NSRP, but

installation in those instances was not completed. The HSCA

request is being interpreted to include only instances where

actual surveillance was conducted.

2

NW 65360-Đocld:32989802-Page 136

---

## Page 137

Airtel to SACs, AT, BH, CG, CI, LS

RE:

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON

ASSASSINATIONS

Receiving offices

are requested to review pertinent

indices and investigative files concerning instances of

above electronic surveillance which occurred in your

respective territories. Retrieve all material pertaining

to the authorization, installation and removal of these

surveillances and all communications, logs, and transcripts

which contain surveillance results.

Furnish one legible

copy of all material.

Forward this material by cover airtel to FBIHl!

Attention:

Congressional Inquiry Unit, Records Management

Division, by COB 3/3/78.

3

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 137

---

## Page 138

AIRTIL

2/16/78

SACe, Atlanta

Birmingnan

Chicago

Cincinnati

Iouisvilla

rxom:

Director, FBI

HOUSE SELECT COMMITIII!

ON ASSASSINACIONS (USCA)

BUDED: 36/78

(62 117290)

the HSCA is currently conducting investigation

into the assasgination of iresident John F. Fennedy and

Martin Luther King, Js. In connection with the ling

matter, the ISCA has been aûvised that the

• l'ational States

Rights

Party (ISRP), Jesse B. Stoner and Dr. Juward Fields

were subjects of electzonic surveillance by the FBI.

the

HISCA, by letter dated 2/8/78, requested access to T'BI

materials pertaining to electronic surveillances of these

subjects during the period 1956 through 1965.

Appropriate records at FBIND disclosed the

below information concesning electronic surveillance of

the following subjects:

MACIONAL, STATES RIGINS PARTY

(1) Subject of microphone surveillance during

5/6 - 7/59 at the Atlantic lotel, Chicago,

• Illinois (CG 5323- 4* (RAC)) .

66-2242-20

EARCHED-

SERIALIZEDS BE FILED *

FEB 2 1 1977

FEL-ATLANT

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 138

---

## Page 139

Airtse to:

3AUS

PRSNCaSteuA

(2]

Racgues de Mizorinm DurelLletG ausie

1/83

• 22/69

too Micony (aene:

Maenlscory

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309 L (51051;

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thne keladlo sxitel

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wycht ner eo cong kecgoattors, aloe' Dhe megideces

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waridt 1365 jesorer Ead, ilninges

aintsse.: (sv 192 19) .

Nds eorerags mid ha

wonrnctior 4iin tio 4425r16 dát

BCF119 357-352)

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to 3/26/04 Bt

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AAlaOTa.

faergiee

.Ipo 1377 19 A0C AC 7376-52)

Tnio coveraso wae aloo in nonnoréton vitu the

B2DOD Jaroseigetaes: (Atcils SE-043)-

Hả.. 2o9

(4)

Kabgact ot nlcrophato curmiltaone faoe 2/26/64 to

3/2/64 as

Cheepton

tecal.

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of. te.Rerr

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NW 65360

Docld:32989802 Page 139

---

## Page 140

Jirtel to SACS, AT, Bil, CG, CI, IS

RE: HOUST SELFCI COMITICE ON ASSASSINNZIONS

Receiving offices are requested to review pertinent

indicos and invostigative siles concerning instances of

above elecironic surveillance which occurred in your

respective territories. Intrieve all natorial pertaining

to the authorization, installation and removal of these

surveillances and all cormunications, logs, and transcripts

which contain surveillance results.

Furnish one legible

copy of all naterial.

Forvard this naterial by cover airtel to FIIIQ,

Attention:

congressional inguiry unit, Records

flanagement

Division, by COE 3/3/78.

3

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 140

---

## Page 141

X.

XX

XX

1/5/78

FM - NEW ORLEANS (66-2878) (RUC)

TO

DIRECTOR (62-117290) ROUTINE

BT

EFTO

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA) ; BUDED: JAN

17301

1978.

REBUTEL, DEC. 27, 1977.

I). SA STEPHEN M. CALLENDER OF THE NEW ORLEANS DIVISION. WAS

THE NEW ORLEANS FIELD OFFICE CASE AGENT ASSIGNED TO THE "MURKIN"

INVESTIGATION. AT THE TIME SA CÄLLENDER WAS ASSIGNED THE "MURKIN"

CASE, HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE NUMBER SIX SQUAD IN THE NEW ORLEANS

OFFICE. THIS SQUAD HANDLED CR, RACIAL AND RELATED MATTERS.

"MURKIN" WAS UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF FORMER ASAC JOSEPH T.

SYLVESTER, JR. THE NATURE OF CALLENDER'S ASSIGNMENT IMMÉDIATELY

66-2242-196

Atlanta (AM)

SMC/lrs

(2)

JA: " 1013

Ex Sia EaS

- - -

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 141

---

## Page 142

PAGE TWO NO 66-2878 EFTO

PRIOR TO HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE "MURKIN" INVESTIGATION WAS IN THE

FIELDS OF CR, RACIAL AND RELATED MATTERS.

II) THE FILES OF THE NEW ORLEANS OFFICE FAIL TO REVEAL THAT

THIS OFFICE EITHER CONSIDERED OR ENGAGED IN ANY COUNTERINTELLI-

GENCE (COIN TEL PRO) EFFORTS DIRECTED AGAINST KING OR THE SOUTHERN

CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE (SCIC) :

NEW ORLEANS FILES WHICH INVOLVE THE SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS

OF KING (NO 100-16800) AND THE SCIC (NO 100-16849) HAVE BEEN

THOROUGHLY REVIEWED. NEW ORLEANS WAS MERELY AN AUXILIARY OFFICE

IN THESE INVESTIGATIONS, WITH ATLANTA BEING THE O0. THE EXTENT

OF INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED BY NEW ORLEANS WAS THE COVERING OF

LEADS IN LA., SET FORTH BY ATLANTA OR OTHER OFFICES. THESE TWO

FILES WERE REVIEWED SERIAL BY SERIAL AND NOWHERE IS THERE ANY

INDICATION WHERE COUNTERINTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES WERE EITHER

CONSIDERED OR CARRIED OUT AGAINST KING OR THE SCIC BY THE NEW

ORLEANS OFFICE.

DURING THE PERIOD OF 1965 - 1968, THE KING FILE IN THE NEW

ORLEANS OFFICE WAS REOPENED AND ASSIGNED AND THEN RUC'D AT LEAST

SEVEN TIMES AND THE SCIC FILE WAS REOPENED AND ASSIGNED AT LEAST

FIVE TIMES DURING THIS SAME PERIOD.

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 142

---

## Page 143

PAGE THREE NO 66-2878 EFTO

AIR MAIL COPY SENT ATLANTA DIVISION.

BT

i NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 143

---

## Page 144

xX

1/4/78

TO:

DIRECTOR, FBI (62-117296)

Attn: Congressional Inquiry Unit;

Special Investigative Division

FROM:

SAC, ATLANTA (66-2242) (RUC)

SUBJECT: HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ÓN ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

BUREAU DEADLINE - 1/13/78

Re FBIHQ teletype to numerous offices, including

Atlanta, 12/27/77.

Referenced Bureau teletype indicated that the

HSCA was currently conducting investigation into the assassination

Of MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. (MURKIN); and in connection with

this investigation, the HSCA had requested the FBI provide

the following:

(1) The identification of field office case agent (s)

assigned to the MURKIN investigation in recipient offices

and this was to include the division, section or squad assign-

ment, and the nature of the agent's assignment immediately

prior to his involvement in the MURKIN investigation.

(2) Identification of the field office case agent(s)

assigned to counterintelligence program (Cointelpro), efforts

directed against KING and the Southern Christian Leadership

Conference (SCIC) during the period 1965 - 1968 in recipient

offices, and this was to include the division, section or

squad assignment, and the nature of the agent's assignment

immediately prior to his involvement in the Cointelpro,

KING, and SCLC investigations.

In addition, recipients were to identify the case

agent (s) involved in

the security investigation of KING

and SCIC, as well as the Cointelpro.

2-Bureau

• 2 Atlanta

+5-66-1224637190

EAS/1jg

(1-66-2242)

(1-44-2386)

(MURKIN)

DESTROL

= •

teed

(4)

i peril

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 144

---

## Page 145

AT 66-2242

Atlanta has reviewed pertinent files as requested

by FBIHQ, and the information sought by the ESCA is set

forth below in chart form:

Case

Agent

ALAN G.

SENTINELLA

ROBERT R.

PERRY

O. RICHARD

HAMILTON

O. RICHARD

HAMILTON

0. RICHARD

HAMILTON

O. RICHARD

HAMILTON.

O. RICHARD

HAMILTON

0. RICHARD

HAMILTON

0. RICHARD

HAMILTON

1. MURKII

Atlanta file 44-2386

Period

assigned

4/8/68

4/29/68

4/29/68 -

7/30/68

7/30/68 -

7/31/69

5/30/70 -

7/13/70

2/3/71-

3/16/71

131/71

17/7

7/13/73 -

8/31/73

6/19/74 -

5/27/74

8/13/74 -

9/24/74

Division,

Section.

Assignment

Nature of

Agent's Assign-

ment prior to

involvement in

MURKIN investigation

Atlanta - #3,

Security/extremist

Squad

Atlanta #4

Fugitives

Atlanta - #3

Security/extremist

investigations

Atlanta - #3

Fugitive investi-

gations

Extremist

investigations

"

Atlanta - #3

Atlanta - #3

Atlanta - $3

Atlanta - $3

"

Atlanta - #8

Civil rights, thefts

from interstate

shipment (IFIS)

Etc.

Civil rights

matters

2

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 145

---

## Page 146

AT 66-2242

Case

Agent

THOMAS J.

WILSON

THOMAS J.

WILSON

JOHN J.

HAYMAN

Period

assigned

Division,

Section, or

Sauad of

Assignment

8/26/75 -

9/8/75

1/7/78-

3/23/76

10/12/77 -

11/8/77

Atlanta - #8

Atlanta - #8

Atlanta - #8

2. Atlanta Agents assigned

to/or who handled the Atlanta

Counterintelligence Program

(Cointelpro) during the period

1965 - 1968 in which efforts were

directed against KING and the SCLC

Division,

Section, or

Squad of

Assignment

Atlanta - #3

Nature of

Agent's Assign-

ment prior to

involvement in

MURKIN investigation

Civil Rights,

IFIS

Civil Rights

matters

Case

Agent

Period

assigned

CPUSA

Cointelpro

ALDEN E:

MILLER

1/23/65-

Cointelpro

Black Nationalist-

Hate Groups

EDWARD U.

CRIM

8/29/67 -

7/30/69

CPUSA Negro

Question; Communist

Influence in Racial

Matters (CIRM) -

Cointelpro

No case agent assigned -

matters handled by:

Nature of

Agent's Assign-

ment prior to

involvement in

Cointelpro

Security

Investigations

Atlanta - #3

Security/extremist

Investigations

3

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 146

---

## Page 147

AT 66-2242

Case

Agent

ROBERT R.

NICHOLS

ALDEN F.

MILLER

ALAN G.

SENTINELLA

Period

assigned

Assignment

1/1/64 -

8/20/64

2/4/64 -

8/21/64

7/22/65 -

4/15/69

Atlanta - $3

Atlanta - $3

Atlanta - #3

3. Identity of case agent(s) involved

in the security investigation of

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., and the

SCIC

Period

assigned

Division,

Section, or

Squad of

Assignment

Nature of

Agent's Assign-

ment prior to

involvement in

Cointeloro

Security/extremist

investigations

Security

investigations

Security/extremist

investigations

Case

Agent

MARTIN LUTHER

KING, JR.

SM-C

ROBERT R.

NICHOLS

ROBERT R.

NICEOLS.

ROBERT R.

NICHOLS

ROBERT R.

NICHOLS

ALAN G.

SENTINELIA

Nature of

Agent's Assign-

ment prior to

involvement in

KING and SCIC

Investigations

3/7/61 -

5/12/61

2/28/62 -

10/16/62

1/9/63 -

7/31/63

1/6/63 -

/21/6:

5/21/65 -

6/5/68

Atlanta - #3

Atlanta - $3

Atlanta - #3

Atlanta - $3

Atlanta - #3

Security/extremist

investigations

4

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 147

---

## Page 148

HOACC4 3818153

R2 AT EN CO LA LA TA5 0 40 SL

Jay

Alahizer

3685

P 27221CZ DEC 77

FA DIRCOTOR 862-117293)

TO ATLANTA (ROUTINE 6 7E SAFE)

BIRMINGHAY (COUTINE)

CHICAGO (ROUTINE)

LOS ANGELES (ROUTINE)

LOUISVILLE (ROUTINE)

YEMPHIS (ROUTINE)

MIAMI (ROUTINE)

AW ORLFANS (FOUTINE)

ST. LOUIS (ROUTINE)

ĐT

EFTO

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONA (HECA), BUREAU

DEADLINE JANUARY 13, 1078.

THE ASCA IS CURRENTLY CONDUCTING INVESTIGATION INTO THE

ASSASSINATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KIMC, AR. SMURKINS. BY LETTER

DATED D$ OBER 15, 1977, DIE LICA REQUEST SI ZIOUIDE

THE. FOLLOWING:

142-19

Do action takenf

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 148

---

## Page 149

PAGE, THO

EFTO

(1) IDENTIFICATION OF FIELD OFFICE CASE AGENTS)

ASSIGNED TO THE MURKIN INVESTIGATION IN ALL' ABOVE LISTED

OFFICES (EXCEPT LOUISVILLES. INCLUDED SHOULD SE THE

DIVISION, SECTION OR SQUAD OF ASSIGNMENT AND THE NATURE OF

THE AGENT'S ASSIGNMENT ISMEDIATELY PRIOR TO HIS INVOVEMENT

IN THE MURKIN INVESTIGATION.

(2) IDENTIFICATION OF FIELD OFFICE ÇASE AGENTS)

ASSIGVED TO COUNTERINTELLIGENCE (COINTELPRO) EFFORIS DIRECTED

AGAINST YING AND THE SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP COVFERENCE

(SCLC) DURING THE PERIOD 1965-1962 IN ALL ACOVE LISTED

OFFICES. AS ABOVE, INCLUDED SHOULD BF THE DIVISION, SECTION

OR SQUAD OF ASSIGUMENT AND THE VATURE OF THE AGENT'S

ASSIGNMEN INMEDIATELY PRIOR TO HIS INVOLVEMENT IN. THE

COINTELPRO, KING AND SCLE INVESTIGATIONS.

BECAUSE MOST COUNTERINIELLICENCE ACIIVITY AGAINST KING•

AND SCLE WAS HANDLED IN THE SUBSTANTIVE INVESTIGATIONS, YOU

SHOULD IDENTIFY THE CASE AGEVICE) INVOLVED IN THE SECURITY

IIVESTIGATIONS OF KING AND SCLC, AS WELL AS THE COINTELPRO.

THIS REVIEW SHOULD INCLUDE INSTANCES WHEPE COUNTERINTELLIGENCE

ACTIVITIES SERE EITHER CONSIDERED OR CARRIED OUT AGAINST

KING AID SOLC.

NW 65360_Docld:32989802 Page 149

---

## Page 150

PAGE THREE EFTO

RESPONSES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY TELETYPE TO THE

ATTENTION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, SPECIAL

IYVESTIGATIVE DIVISION, BY JANUARY 13, 1978.

UNDER CURRENT OPERATING PROCEDURES EXISTING BETWEEN

THE DEPARIMENT OF JUSTICE AND THE MSCA,, DISCLOSURE.OF ABOVE

AGENT INDENTITIES TO THE ASCA CANNOT BE PREVENTED, HOWEVER,

THE LEGAL COUNSEL DIVISION OF FBIHC IS NEGOTIATING WITH THE

ASCA IN EFFORT TO LIMIT PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF NAMES OF ANY

AGEUT PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE COIUTELPRO ACTIVITIES. SUCH

AGREEDENT WOULD FOLLOW PRECEDENT OF THE SENATE SELECT

COMMITTER ON INTELLIGÈNCE WHICH IN IIS REPORT DURING 1976

DID NOT LIST THE NAMES OF ANY FBI PERSO UNEL BELOW THE POSITION

OF SECTION ChIEF.

3T

PLS HOLD

MW-65360_Docid:32989802 Page 150 -

---

## Page 151

H00924 3612153

RR AT BH CG LA LS ME MM NO SL

DE HQ

R 272010Z DEC 77

FM DIRECTOR (62- 117290)

TO ATLANTA (ROUTINE)

BIRMINGHAM (ROUTINE)

CHICAGO (ROUTINE)

LOS ANGELES (ROUTINE)

LOUISVILLE (ROUTINE)

MEMPHIS (ROUTINE)

MIAMI (ROUTINE)

NEW ORLEANS (ROUTINE)

SI. LOUIS (ROUTINE)

'BT

EFTO

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA), BUREAU

DEADLINE JANUARY 13, 1978.

THE HSCA IS CURRENTLY CONDUCTING INVESTIGATION INTO THE

ASSASSINATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. (MURKINS. BY LETTER

DATED DECEMBER 13, 1977, THE HSCA REQUESTED THE FBI PROVIDE

THE FOLLOWING:

666-2242-1

SEARCHED

-NUENED -

SERIALIZED

FBI- AILANTA

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 151

---

## Page 152

PAGE TWO EFTO

(1) IDENTIFICATION OF FIELD OFFICE CASE AGENT(S)

ASSIGNED TO THE MURKIN INVESTIGATION IN ALL ABOVE LISTED

OFFICES (EXCEPT LOUISVILLE). INCLUDED SHOULD BE THE

DIVISION, SECTION OR SQUAD OF ASSIGNMENT AND THE NATURE OF

THE AGENT'S ASSIGNMENT IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO HIS INVLVEMENT

IN THE MURKIN INVESTIGATION.

(2) IDENTIFICATION OF FIELD OFFICE CASE AGENI(S)

ASSIGNED TO COUNTERINTELLIGENCE (COINTELPRO) EFFORTS DIRECTED

AGAINST KING AND THE SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

(SCLC) DURING THE PERIOD 1965-1968 IN ALL ABOVE LISTED

OFFICES. AS ABOVE, INCLUDED SHOULD BE THE DIVISION, SECTION

OR SQUAD OF ASSIGNMENT AND THE NATURE OF THE AGENT'S

ASSIGNOPT IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE

COINTELPRO, KING AND SCLC INVESTIGATIONS.

BECAUSE MOST COUNTERINTELLIGENCE ACTIVITY AGAINST KING

AND SCLC WAS HANDLED IN THE SUBSTANTIVE INVESTIGATIONS, YOU

SHOULD IDENTIFY THE CASE AGENT(S) INVOLVED IN THE SECURITY

INVESTIGATIONS OF KING AND SCLC, AS WELL AS THE COINTELPRO.

THIS REVIEW SHOULD INCLUDE INSTANCES WHERE COUNTERINTELLIGENCE

ACTIVITIES WERE EITHER CONSIDERED OR CARRIED OUT AGAINST

KING AND SCLC.

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 152

---

## Page 153

PAGE THREE E FIO

RESPONSES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY TELETYPE TO THE

ATTENTION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, SPECIAL

INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION, BY JANUARY 13, 1978.

UNDER CURRENT OPERATING PROCEDURES EXISTING BETWEEN

THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND THE HSCA, DISCLOSURE OF ABOVE

AGENT INDENTITIES TO THE HSCA CANNOI BE PREVENTED. HOWEVER,

THE LEGAL COUNSEL DIVISION OF FBIHQ IS NEGOTIATING WITH THE

HSCA IN EFFORT TO LIMIT PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF NAMES OF ANY

AGENT PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE COINTELPRO ACTIVITIES: SUCH

• AGREEMENT WOULD FOLLOW PRECEDENT OF THE SENATE SELECT

COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE WHICH IN ITS REPORT DURING 1976

DID NOT LIST THE NAMES OF ANY FBI PERSONNEL BELOW THE POSITION

OF SECTION CHIEF.

BT

PLS HOLD

/ NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 153

---

## Page 154

FD-36 (Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

• Teletype

[ Facsimile

fAirtel

FBI

RECEDENCE:

• Immediate

• Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFIC

JON:

I TOP SECRET

. I SECRET

• CONFIDENTIAL

DEFTO

D CLEAR

Date

9/21/77

TO :

DIRECTOR, FBI

ATTN:

CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT

SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION

FROM:

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

ON ASSASSINATIONS

BUDED 9/23/77

Re FBIHQ teletype to Atlanta, Birmingham, Chicago,

Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, and St. Louis, 8/18/77.

Atlanta is furnishing FBIHQ, under separate cover,

two xerox copies each of 3250 Atlanta documents relative

to captioned matter.

Referenced Bureau teletype pointed out that the

House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) which is

investigating the assassinations of JOHN F. KENNEDY and

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., had requested access to investigative

files of recipient

field offices concerning the Bureau's

investigation of the assassination of KING (code name MURKIN) •

FBIHQ instructed that recipient offices using

the criteria set forth on page 2 of referenced teletype,

furnish

file.

FBIHQ with two xerox copies of the MURKIN investigative

•.

Based on the above, Atlanta noted that it had

a main 44 file on MURKIN, namely 44-2386, consisting of

23 volumes (2495 serials), plus subfiles

B (1 volume -

bulky exhibits), C (1 volume - xerox copies of Atlanta transmittal

letters to the Lab), D (1 volume - xerox copies of Lab reports),

E (1 volume - press release file), SF-1 (1 volume - MURKIN

cost data information) and SF-2 (1 volume - newspaper clippings) •

2 - Bureau

Package

(Enc. 3250) (4 boxes)

Atlanta (66-2242)

(1: - 44-2386) (MURKIN)

(1 = 157-3091) (ASSASSINATION OF MLK)

Transmitted

SEARCHED

SERIAIZED A

INDEXED

FILED 7

69-2242-18

Per

EAS

(9)

Approved: -

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 154

(Number)

(Time)

---

## Page 155

AT 66-2242

In addition, Atlanta had a racial matter case on the assassination

DI MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., Atlanta file 15/-3094 whict

consisted of 3 volumes (266) serials and appears to have

been a repository of information regarding KING's assassination,

the KING funeral, etc., prior to the opening of the Atlanta

44 file on MURKIN.

Atlanta

has reviewed all the above files and volumes

and two xerox copies of each serial in these files are being

sent to FBIHQ as requested by the Bureau:

Atlanta file 44-2386 on MURKIN consisting of 23

volumes and 7 subfiles:

VOLUME 1

Serials 44-2386 - 1B-1 through 6

1 through 47

47: (two different serials were

marked 47)

48 through 125

VOLUME 2

VOLUME 3

VOLUME 4

VOLUME 5

VOLUME 6

Serials 44-2386-126 through 300

Serials 44-2386-301 through 500

Serials 44-2386-501 through 700

serials 44-2386 - 701 through 800

Serials 44-2386 - 801 and 802

- 2-

:

- NW 65360 Docld:32989802. Page 155

---

## Page 156

AT 66-2242

VOLUME 7

Serials 44-2386 - 803 through 827

there was no serial 828

as this was skipped.

- 829 through 898

- 899 and 900 are the same

serial - a wanted flyer for

JAMES EARL RAY

- 901 through 1000

VOLUME 8

Serials 44-2386 - 1001 through 1058

there was no serial 1059 but there

were two serials marked 1059A and 1059B

- 1060 through 1200

VOLUME 9

Serials 44-2386 - 1201 through 1262

there was no serial 1263

as this

number was skipped

. - 1264 through 1400

VOLUME 10

VOLUME 11

Serials 44-2386 - 1401 through 1600

Serials 44-2386 - 1601 through 1730

- 1730 - there were two different

serials marked as serial 1730

- 1731 through 1800

VOLUME 12

Serials 44-2386 - 1801 through 1863

- 1863

- there were 2 different serials

both marked as serial 1863.

- 1864 through 1875A

VOLUME 13

Serials 44-2386 - 1876 (large report - only l serial

in this volume)

-3-

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 156

---

## Page 157

AT 66-2242

VOLUME 14

•

Serials 44-2386 - 1877 through 1901

- 1901 - there were 2 different serials

• both marked as 1901

- 1902 through 1926

there was no serial 1927 as this

was skipped

- 1928 through 1939

VOLUME 15

Serials 44-2386 - 1940 through 1954

there was no serial

number was skipped

• 1956 through 1999

1955 as this

VOLUME 16

Serials 44-2386 - 2000 through 2025A°

there was no serial

2025 as this number

was

skipped but there was a serial 2026A

• 2027, 2027A, 2028 and 2028A

there was no serial 2029 as this

number was skipped but there was

a serial 2029A

• 2030, 2030A

there was no serial 2031 as this

number was skipped, but there was

a serial 2031A

there was no serial 2032 as this

number was skipped, but there was

a serial 2032A

- 2033 through 2051

there was no serial 2052 as this

number was skipped

- 2053 through 2080

VOLUME 17

VOLUME 18

Serials 44-2386 - 2081 through 2113

Serials 44-2386 - 2113A through 2185

•

-4-

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 157

---

## Page 158

AT 66-2242

VOLUME 19

VOLUME 20

VOLUME 21

Serials 44-2386 - 2186 through 2291

Serials 44-2386 - 2292 through 2335

Serials 44-2386

- 2336 through 2351

• 2351 - there were 2 different serials

that were both marked 2351

- 2352 through 2395

VOLUME 22

Serials 44-2386 • 2394

this serial was mistakenly marked

2394 and was different from

serial 2394 in volume 21

= 2395 this serial was another copy

of serial 2395 that was in volume 21

VOLUME 23

Serials 44-2386 - 2413 through 2487

one serial which was not serialized

* 2488

one serial which was not serialized

• 2489, 2490

• 2491

- there were

• 2 different serials

marked as serial 2491, both being

sent to FBIHQ with serial 2492

. - 2492 through 2495

• form FD-479

VOLUME B

(Bulky Exhibits)

Serials 44-2386 - 1B - 1 through 6

VOLUME C

(Xerox copies of Atlanta transmitted letters

to the FBI Lab, Identification Division, Etc.

Serials 44-2386 - C - there were 21 items not serialized

to this volume

-5-

-NW-65360 Docld:32989802 Page 158

---

## Page 159

=

AT 66-2242

VOLUME D (xerox copies of FBIHQ Lab letters)

Serials 44-2386-D - there were 69 items not serialized

to this volume

VOLUME E (Press Release File)

Serials 44-2386-E - there were 17 items not serialized

to this volume.

VOLUME SF-1 (MURKIN Cost Data File)

• Serials 44-2386 - SF-1 - 1 through 7

VOLUME SF-2 (MURKIN Newspaper Clipping File)

Serials 44-2386 - SF-2 - 1 through 36

LA EXHIBITS - VOLUMES 1 - 4

Items 44-2386 - IA - 1 through 64

65 this was an NCIC list of motor

vehicles and license plates

stolen in Georgia - it was

too big to xerox

- 66 through 78

- 79 photograph not in the lA envelope

- 80

- 81 photograph not in lA envelope

- 82 through I19

- 120 polygraph chart- too large to xerox

- 121 through 124

BULKY EXHIBITS FOR 44-2386

Item 44-2386 - 1B - l this was a Delta Air Lines computer

printout of passengers aboard various Delta Air Line flights,

including DAL flight 932 from Memphis to Chicago, 4/27/68

and DAL flight 595 from Birmingham to Memphis, 4/27/68.

This was a voluminous, continuous run computer printout

that was too large to xerox.

Item 44-2386 - 1B - 2 these were items of physical

evidence, including bed linen, cigarette butts, maps, a

saw, newspapers, etc, and are not being xeroxed.

Item 44-2386 - 1B - 3 this was a xerox copy of the

complete service record of AARON ISAAC LOFTON - these items

contain a notation "Information copy (extract) only, to

-6-

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 159

---

## Page 160

AT 66-2242

be destroyed upon completion of action.

Record copy on file

at USAIRR.

As a result, this item cannot be duplicated for another

agency•

Xeroxed copies are being sent to FBIHQ.

Item 44-2386 - 1B - 4, these are enlarged copies of

an Atlanta area map and a Los Angeles area map and are too

large to run off on the xerox machine. As a result they

are not being submitted to FBIHQ.

Item 44-2386 - IB - 5 these were items furnished by

the Newark Office to Atlanta which included a large looseleaf

type book with instructions on locksmithing and a locksmith

kit. These items are not being xeroxed.

Item 44-2386 - 1B - 6 this is a copy of a looseleaf

ledger book of JIMMY D. GARNER, 107 14th Street, NE, Atlanta,

Georgia. Xerox copies of this are being sent to FBIHQ.

Atlanta file 157-3094 (Assassination of Dr. MARTIN LUTHER

KING JR - Racial Matter)

VOLUME 1

VOLUME 2

serials 157-3094 - I through 100

Serials 157-3094 - 101 through 205

-205 there were 2 different serials,

both marked

as 205

-206 through 213

-213 there were 2 different serials,

both marked as 213

-214 through 218

VOLUME 3.

Serials 157-3094 - 219 through 266

one serial that was not serialized

which should have been 267

-7-

NW 65360 Döcld:32989802 Page 160

---

## Page 161

AT 66-2242

1A EXHIBITS FOR 157-3094

Items 157-3094 - 1A - 1,2,3

— - ..

-8=

__ NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 161

---

## Page 162

HQ0077 2308155

RR AT BH CG LA MM NO SL

DE HQ •

R Ì80110Z AUG 77

FM DIRECTOR

SO ATLANTA (ROUTINED O 277E SAFE

BIRMINGHAM (ROUTINE)

CHICAGO CROUTINE2

LOS ANGELES (ROUTINE)

MIAMI (ROUTINE)

" NEW ORLEANS (ROUTINE).

ST. LOUIS (ROUTINE)

BT

• CLEAR

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS; BUREAU DEADLINÉ.

SEPTEMBER 23, 1977

THE HOUSE SELECI COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA),

WHICH IS INVESTIGATING THE ASSASSINATIONS OF JOHN F. KENNEDY

AND MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., HAS REQUESTED. ACCESS TO INVESTI-

GATE FILES OF THE ABOVE FIELD OFF CE FILES CONCERNING OUR

0652

242

SERIALIZED L FILED AN

AUG 1719TT

BI- ATLANT/

Noacton Chest M11

Ed then cas

Fugitt MIk

-17

---

## Page 163

PAGE TWO CLEAR

MURKIN INVESTIGATION (ASSASSINATION OF KING) •

AT A MEETING WITH HSCA OFFICIALS ON AUGUST 16, 1977,

CHIEF COUNSEL ROBERT G. BLAKEY AGREED THAT, TO AVOID DUPLICATION,

IT WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR HIS STAFF TO REVIEW ONLY THE

FIRST PAGE OF ANY FIELD OFFICE DOCUMENT WHICH WAS DIRECTED

IO OR RECEIVED FROM FBI HEADQUARIERS OR THE MEMPHIS FIELD

•OFFICE (FBIHQ FILES HAVE BEEN PROCESSED AND MEMPHIS FILES

ARE CURRENTLY BEING

PROCESSED FOR THE HSCA) • THIS FIRST PAGE

WILL PROVIDE THE ASCA A CHRONOLOGICAL ACCOUNTING OF ALL

SERIALS IN THE FILE. ALL SERIALS NOT DIRECTED TO OR

RECEIVED FROM FBIHQ OR MEMPHIS WOULD HAVE TO BE REVIEWED IN

THEIR ENTIRETY.

THE HSCA ALSO DESIRES TO SEE ALL NOTATIONS IN THESE

FILES UNLESS THE NOTATIONS ARE FOR INDEXING PURPOSES OR

GRAMMATICAL CORRECTIONS. THEREFORE, IF A FIELD NOTATION

APPEARS IN OTHER THAN THE FIRST PAGE OF A SERIAL THAT •

EXISTS IN THE FBIHQ OR MEMPHIS FILE, COPIES OF THAT PAGE

WILL HAVE TO BE REPRODUCED AND FORWARDED TO FBIHQ.

EACH RECIPIENT, EXCEPT MIAMI, USING THE ABOVE CRITERIA,

FURNISH. FBIHQ TWO XEROX COPIES OF YOUR MURKIN INVESTIGATIVE FILE.

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 163

---

## Page 164

")

PAGE THREE CLEAR

FILES SHOULD REACH FBIHQ BY SEPTEMBER 23, 1977. IF YOUR

FILE CONTAINS ANY EXHIBIT, PHOTOGRAPH OR DOCUMENT WHICH CANNOT

BE REPRODUCED, SET FORTH A DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION OF THAT

ITEM IN THE

COVER PAGES OF YOUR COMMUNICATION TRANSMITTING

THE FILES TO FBIHQ.

• ALL COPIES SUBMITTED SHOULD BE CLEARLY LEGIBLE AND

SHOULD BE SENT REGISTERED MAIL, MARKED TO THE ATTENTION OF

THE CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNII, SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION.

ANY QUESTIONS CAN BE RESOLVED BY CONTACTING SUPERVISOR

J. I.

ALDHIZER, EXTENSION 3685.

SINCE MIAMI PREVIOUSLY FURNISHED A COPY OF ITS MURKIN

FILE DURING REVIEW OF THE KING CASE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF

JUSTICE TASK FORCE, IT WILL NOT BE NECESSARY TO REPRODUCE

YOUR FILES IN LINE WITH THE ABOVE. HOWEVER, FILES SHOULD

BE REVIEWED FOR PAGES NOT PREVIOUSLY FORWARDED FBIHQ

WHICH MAY CONTAIN NOTATIONS. ADVISE FBIHQ RESULTS OF YOUR

REVIEW, FURNISHING TWO COPIES OF ANY PAGE CONTAINING NOTATION

AND CLEARLY IDENTIFYING SERIAL INVOLVED.

BT

_ NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 164

---

## Page 165

HQOD.77, 23 00 155

RR AT BH CG LA MM NO SL

DE HQ

R 189110Z AUG 77

FM DIRECTOR

TO ATLANTA (ROUTINE)

BIRMINGHAM (ROUTINE)

• CHICAGO (ROUTINE2

LOS ANGELES (ROUTINE)

MIAMI - (ROUTINE)

NEW ORLEANS (ROUTINE),

ST. LOUIS (ROUTINE)

CLEAR

HOUSE SÉLECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS; BUREAU DEADLINE

SEPTEMBER 23, 1977

THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA>,

• WHICH IS INVESTIGATING THE ASSASSINATIONS OF JOHN FI. KENNEDY

AND MARIIN LUTHER. KING, JR., HAS REQUESTED ACCESS TO INVESTI

GATE FILES OF THE ABOVE FIELD OFFICE FILES CONCERNING OUR

INDEXED

SEARCHED -

SERIALIZED.

AUG 1 7 1977

FBI-ATLANTA

66-2242-11

NW/ 63360. Docld: 32909802 Page 162

---

## Page 166

25.

PAGE TUO CLEAR

MURKIN INVESTIGATION (ASSASSINATION OF KING).

AT A MEETING WITH HSCA OFFICIALS ON AUGUST 16, 1977,

CHIEF COUNSEL ROBERT G. BLAKEY AGREED THAI, TO AVOID DUPLICATION,

IT WOULD BE NECESSÁRY FOR HIS STAFF IO REVIEW ONLY THE

FIRST PAGE OF ANY FIELD OFFICE DOCUMENT WHICH WAS DIRECTED

IO OR RECEIVED

FROM FBI HEADQUARTERS OR THE MEMPHIS FIELD

- OFFICE (FBIHQ FILES. HAVE BEEN PROCESSED AND MEMPHIS FILES

ARE CURRENTLY BEING PROCESSED FOR THE HSCA>. THIS. FIRST PAGE

WILL PROVIDE THE HSCA A CHRONOLOGICAL ACCOUNTING OF. ALL

SERIALS IN THE FILÉ. ALL SERIALS NOI DIRECTED IÒ OR

RECEIVED FROM FBIHQ OR MEMPHIS WOULD HAVE TO BE REVIEWED IN

THEIR ENTIRETY.

-THE HSCA ALSO'

DESIRES TO SEE ALL NOTATIONS IN THESE

FILES UNLESS THE NOTATIONS ARE FOR INDEXING. PURPOSES OR

GRAMMATICAL CORRECTIONS. THEREFORE, IF A FIELD NOTATION

APPEARS IN OTHER THAN THE FIRST PAGE OF A SERIAL THAT

EXISTS IN THE FBIHQ OR MEMPHIS FILE, COPIES OF THAT PAGE.

WILL HAVE TO BE REPRODUCED AND FORWARDED TO FBIHQ.

EACH RECIPIENT, EXCEPT MIAMI, USING THE ABOVE CRITERIA,

FURNISH FBIHQ TWO XEROX COPIES OF YOUR MURKIN INVESTIGATIVE FILE.

: NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 166

---

## Page 167

PAGE THREE CLEAR

FILES SHOULD REACH FBIHQ BY SEPTEMBER 23, 1977. IF YOUR

FILE CONTAINS ANY EXHIBIT, PHOTOGRAPH OR DOCUMENT WHICH CANNOT

BE REPRODUCED, SET FORTH A DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION OF THAI.

ITEM IN THE COVER PAGES OF YOUR COMMUNICATION TRANSMITTING

THE FILES TO FBIHQA

ALL COPIES SUBMITTED SHOULD BE CLEARLY LEGIBLE AND

SHOULD BE SENT REGISTERED MAIL, MARKED TO THE ATTENTION OF

THE CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION.

ANY QUESTIONS CAN BE RESOLVED BY CONTACTING SUPERVISOR

J. I. ALDHIZER, EXTENSION 3685.

SINCE MIAMI PREVIOUSLY FURNISHED. A COPY OF ITS MURKIN

FILE DURING REVIEW OF THE KING CASE BY THE DEPARIMENT. OF

JUSTICE TASK FORCE, IT WILL NOT BE NECESSARY TO REPRODUCE

YOUR FILES: IN LINE WITH THE ABOVE. HOWEVER, FILES SHOULD

BE REVIEWED FOR PAGES NOT PREVIOUSLY FORWARDED FBIHQ

WHICH MAY CONTAIN NOTATIONS. ADVISE FBIHQ RESULTS OF YOUR

REVIEW, FURNISHING TWO COPIES OF ANY PAGE CONTAININA NOTATION

AND CLEARLY IDENTIFYING SERIAL INVOLVED. .

BT

NW 65360 Docld:32989802. Page 167

---

## Page 168

HQ0D41 1152235

PP AT BH LR LS WY SL IP

D° HQ

• 252159Z APR 77

FM DIRECTOR (62-117290)

TO: ATLANTA (IMMEDIATE)

BIRMINGHAN (IMMEDIATE)

LIIILE ROCK (IMMEDIATE)

-

LPUTSVILLE (IMMEDIATE)

NEW YORK (IMMEDIATE)

ST. LOUIS (IMMEDIATE)

TAMPA (IMMED ATE)

BI'

CLEAR

PEROCIAL ATTANAU

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE OV ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA›

REFERENCE FBIHQ TELETYPE TO ALL SACS AND LEGATS DATED

NOVEMBER 24, 1976.

RECE TLY THE HSCA, RELATIVE TO THEIR INVESTIGATION INTO

THE ASASSIATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, REQUESTED

THAT FBIHQ

FURISH THE PRESET WHEREABOUIS OF THREE FBI PERSONNEL WHO WERE

ASSIGNED IC THE LOUISVILLE DIVISION IN 1965. THESE INDIVIDUALS

ART BER ARD C. BROWN, FORMER SAC RETIRED; SA WILLIAM ROBERT

elephonically

dvised 4/25/7

66.2248-15

Haynes

NW 65380 Docld:32989802 Page 168

SAC.MM

---

## Page 169

PAGE TWO

CLEAR

DUNCA, CURRE"TLY ASSIGNED IN THE SI. LOUIS DIVISION;

ROBERT EDWARD PETERS, FORMER SA RETIRED.

THE COMMITTEE HAS INDICATED THAT THIS REQUEST IS RELATED

TO THEIR RECEIT RECEIPT OF INFORIIATION FROM A FORMER LOUISVILLE

POLICE OFFICER WHO ALLEGED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED AN OFFER FROM

U""AMED FBI A 'D POLICE PERSONNEL TO KILL MARTIN LUTHER KING.

FBIHQ HAS REQUESTED THAT THE DEPARIMENT OBTAIN FROM HSCA ALL

I FORMATICN PERTAILING TO THIS ALLEGATION, BUT IO DATE THE

CONMITTEE HAS 'OT ACCEDED TO THIS REQUEST.

ADDITIONALLY, HSCA HAS REQUESTED THE IDENIITIES OF ALL

SICS WHO SERVED IN THE BIRMINGHAM DIVISION BETWEEN DECEMBER,

1962, A"D DECEMBER, 1969. THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE: RAYMOND L.

FAISSI, FORMER SAC RETIRED; EVERETT J. INGRAM, FORMER SAC -

DICTASED; JAMES L. MCGOVERN, FORMER SAC RETIRED: GEORGE W. HALL,

FORMER SAC RETIRED; JOSEPH H. GAMBLE, FORMER SAC RETIRED; RALPH J.

MILES, FORMER SAC RETIRED. EACH OF THESE SURVIVING FORMER

FMPLOYEES IS TO BE CONTACTED IMMEDIATELY BY SAC OR ASAC WHERE

FEASIBLE, A'D ALERTED THAT HE MAY BE APPROACHED BY HSCA

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 169

---

## Page 170

PAGE THREE

CLEAR

R-PRESE TATIVE FOR INTERVIEW. EACH SHOULD BE ADVISED THAI IN

AH" EVENT HE IS CONTACTED HE MAY DESIRE TO CONTACT THE BUREAU'S

LEGAL COUNSEL DIVISION BY COLLECT CALL FOR FULL INFORMATION

PTRTAINING IO HIS OBLIGATIONS AS TO CONFIDENOIALITY OF

I"FORMATION ACQUIRED AS AY FBI EMPLOYEE.

SA DU CAN, SI. LOUIS DIVISION, SHOULD BE INSTRUCTED IO

IMMEDIATELY ADVISE SAC, SI. LOUIS, AND FBIHQ, ATTENTION

CO GRESSINAL INQUIRY UNIT, SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION, IN

THE EVE 'T HE IS CMNTACTED BY THE COMMITTEE.

•THE INFORMATIO. REQUESTED BY HSCA IS BEING MADE AVAILABLE

IHRCUGH THE DEPARTMENT.

IN THE EVENT A FORMER EMPLOYEE NO LONGER RESIDES IN YOUR

TERRITORY, SET OUT LEADS' TO OTHER OFFICES WITH A COPY IO FBIHQ.

ATLA'TA: JAMES L. MCGOVERN, 2689 CANNA RIDGE CIRCLE,

ATLA"TA, GEORGIA.

BIRMI GHAM: RALPH J. MILES, 1126 MOUNTAIN OAKS DRIVE,

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 170

---

## Page 171

.. i

PAGE FOUR

CLEAR

LITTLE ROCK: RAYMOND L. FAISSI, 113 CAMBRIDGE PLACE,

LITTLE ROCK, ARKA SAS.

LOUISVILLE: BERNARD C. BROWN, 6904 WYTHE HILL CIRCLE,

PROSPECI, KE TUCKY; ROBERT EDWARD PETERS, 412 TRINITY HILLS LANE,

LOUISVILLE, KE"TUCKY.

EW YORK: JOSEPH H. GAMBLE, 24 GREYSIONE ROAD, ROCKVILLE

CE"TER, NEW YORK.

SI. LOUIS: SA WILLIAM ROBERI DUNCAN.

TAMPA:

GEORGE W. HALL, 5598 TRELLIS LANE, FORT MYERS,

FLORIDA.

BT

1152244Z AT 2.

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 171

---

## Page 172

HQ0B41 1152235

PP AT BH LR LS NY SL IP

DE HQ

0 252150Z APR 77

FM DIRECTOR (62-117298)

TO: ATLANTA (IMMEDIATE)

BIRMINGHAM (IMMEDIATE)

LITTLE ROCK (IMMEDIATE)

LOUISVILLE (IMMEDIATE)

NEW YORK (IMMEDIATE)

SI. LOUIS (INMEDIATE)

TAMPA (IMMED ATE)

BT

CLEAR

PERSONAL ATTENTION

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

REFERENCE FBIHQ TELETYPE TO ALL SACS AND LEGAIS DATED

NOVEMBER 24, 1976.

RECE:ILY THE HSCA, RELATIVE IO THEIR INVESTIGATION INTO

• THE ASSASSINATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, REQUESTED THAI FBIHQ

FUR"ISH THE PRESENT WHEREABOUTS OF THREE FBI PERSONNEL WHO WERE

ASSIGNED TO THE LOUISVILLE DIVISION IN 1965. THESE INDIVIDUALS

ARE BER'ARD C.. BROWN, FORMER SAC RETIRED; SA WILLIAM ROBERT

66-2-542-151

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 172

---

## Page 173

PAGE TWO

CLEAR

DUNCA", CURRENTLY ASSIGNED IN THE ST, LOUIS DIVISION;

ROBERT EDWARD PETERS, FORMER SA RETIRED.

• THE COMMITTEE HAS INDICATED THAT THIS REQUEST IS RELATED

TO THEIR RECENT RECEIPT. OF INFORMATION FROM A FORMER LOUISVILLE

POLICE OFFICER WHO ALLEGED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED AN OFFER FROM

UNNAMED FBI AND POLICE PERSONNEL TO KILL MARTIN LUTHER KING.

FBIHQ HAS REQUESTED THAT THE DEPARTMENT OBTAIN FROM HSCA ALL

I FORMATION PERTAINING TO THIS ALLEGATION, BUT TO DATE THE

COMMITTEE HAS NOT ACCEDED TO THIS REQUEST.

ADDITIONALLY, ASCA HAS REQUESTED THE IDENTITIES OF ALL

SACS. WHO SERVED IN THE BIRMINGHAM DIVISION BETWEEN DECEMBER,

1962, A'D DECEMBER, 1969. THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE: RAYMOND L.

FAISSI, FORMER SAC RETIRED; EVERETT &• INGRAM, FORMER SAC -

DECEASED; JAMES L. MCGOVERN, FORMER SAC RETIRED: GEORGE W. HALL,

FORMER SAC RETIRED; JOSEPH He GAMBLE, FORMER SAC RETIRED; RALPH J.

MILES, FORMER SAC RETIRED. EACH OF THESE SURVIVING FORMER

EMPLOYEES IS TO BE CONTACTED IMMEDIATELY BY SAC OR ASAC WHERE

• FEASIBLE,. AND ALERTED THAT HE MAY BE APPROACHED BY HSCA

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 173

---

## Page 174

PAGE THREE

CLEAR

REPRESENTATIVE FOR. INTERVIEW. EACH SHOULD BE ADVISED THAI IN.

OHE EVENT HE IS CONTACIED HE MAY DESIRE TO CONTACI THE BUREAU'S

LEGAL COUNSEL DIVISION BY COLLECT CALL FOR FULL INFORMATION

PERTAINING TO HIS OBLIGATIONS AS TO CONFIDENOIALITY OF

INFORMATION ACQUIRED AS AN FBI EMPLOYEE.

SA DU CAN, SI. LOUIS DIVISION, SHOULD BE INSTRUCTED TO

IMMEDIATELY ADVISE SAC, ST. LOUIS, AND FBIHQ, ATTENTION

CO GRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION, IN

THE EVE'T HE IS CMNTACTED BY THE COMMITTEE.

THE INFORMATION REQUESTED BY HSCA IS BEING MADE AVAILABLE

THROUGH THE DEPARTMENI•

IN THE EVENT A FORMER EMPLOYEE NO LONGER RESIDES IN YOUR

TERRITORY, SET OUI LEADS TO OTHER OFFICES VITH A COPY TO FBIHO.

ATLAITA: JAMES LO MCGOVERN, 2689 CANNA RIDGE GIRCLE,

ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

BIRMI GHAM: RALPH J. MILES, 1126 MOUNIAIN OAKS DRIVE,

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.

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PAGE FOUR

CLEAR

LITTLE ROCK: RAYMOND L. FAISSI, 113 CAMBRIDGE. PLACE,

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS •

LOUISVILLES BERNARD C. BROWN, 6984. WYTHE HILL CIRCLE,

PROSPECT, KENTUCKY; ROBERT EDWARD PETERS, 412 TRINITY HILLS LANE,

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

• NEW YORK: JOSEPH He GAMBLE, 24 GREYSTONE ROAD, ROCKVILLE

CENTER, NEW YORX.

ST. LOUIS: SA WILLIAN ROBERT DUNCAN.

TAMPA: GEORGE We HALL, 5598 TRELLIS LANE, FORI MYERS,

FLORIDA.

B.T

• 1152244Z AT 2.

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## Page 176

0-9, Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

Airtel

PRECEDENCE:

3-1-77

CLASSIFICATION:

DATE:

TO:

SAC, Albany

3COR BOT

08277

FIO

Director, FBI

BUREAUWIDE INFORMATION PROGRAM, 77-5

DEPARINE

A OSTICE TASK BORCE: REBORT

STIGATIONS INVOLVING

DR

WITHER

KING

BESS

(This line for LEFT MARGIN.)

Attached is a copy of a three-page news release

which was made by Attorney General Griffin B. Bell on

2/18/77 pertaining

to the report prepared by the Department

of Justice Task Force which conducted a review of our

security investigation, as well as our investigation

regarding the assassination, of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

There also is attached

a copy of the Task Force's

report, together with its exhibits. Copies of this report,

including its exhibits, have been made available to news

media by the Department of Justice.

I have made the following statement in response

to inquiries regarding the Task Force's report which have

been received at FBIHQ:

"I noted with great satisfaction the conclusions

of the task force that the FBI's assassination probe

of the Martin Luther King slaying was 'credible and

thorough'; that there was no evidence of a conspiracy;

and that

• the report clearly indicates no complicity

on the part of the FBI in this assassination.

Enclosure:

1 - A11

JASAcEach

Offices - Enclosures (2)

Megat - Enclosures (2)

(Do not lype below this line.)

5

SAC (list)

Do not type

BEYOND THIS MARGIN

NiGHT SUP

NW 65360 Docld: 2999802-Rage 176

SAC'S Safe File

66-2242-13

SEARCHED

INDEXED

SERIALIZED

HARr! - 1977

Berry

Haywes

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Airtel to SAC, Albany

RE:

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TASK FORCE REPORT

ON FBI INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

"There are portions of the report which describe

objectionable actions on the part of the FBI.

"Guidelines, procedures and our determination

to be completely observant of civil rights and the

dignity of man will prevent a recurrence of these

If requested to comment regarding any of the

conclusions of the Task Force or concerning the contents

of its report, you should feel free to quote my above-cited

statement. However, you should not expand on my statement

or volunteer observations of vour own

In addition, you should not hesitate to refer news

media representatives who make inquiries about matters covered

in the Task Force report to the Press Services Unit (Ext. 3691)

of the External Affairs Division.

Should you receive inquiries regarding the

availability of copies of the Task Force report, you should

state that the report was released by

the Department of

Justice and that the FBI has been advised that copies of

the report are being printed and will be available for

purchase through the Superintendent of Documents, U. S.

Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 20402.

NIM. 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 177

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department of fustice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1977

AG

202-739-2028

The FBI conducted a thorough investigation of the

assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a Department

of Justice task force concluded in a report released today by

Attorney General Griffin B. Bell.

The 149-page report was submitted by the task force

of the Office of Professional Responsibility following an

eight-month intensive review of FBI files and interview of

witnesses. The purpose of the study was to examine FBI

activities involving Dr. King and to evaluate the effectiveness

of the assassination investigation.

The report concluded that the FBI had conducted a

painstaking and successful investigation of the 1968

assassination in Memphis, Tennessee.

• The task force also found no evidence of FBI

complicity in the murder.

The only new evidence that was developed related to

details that did not affect the ultimate conclusion that James

Earl Ray was the properly convicted murderer:

66-2247-12

SEARCHED

INDEXED-

SERIALIZED-

— Are - 1977

Bury

Haynes

-65360Docld:32939802. Page 178

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## Page 179

= ..

2-

The

task force of five attorney

and two research

analysts reviewed more than 200,000 documents from FBI

Headquarters and Field Office files and interviewed some 40

witnesses in its study of the King case.

On April 26, 1976, then Attorney General Edward H.

Levi directed the Office of Professional Responsibility, headed

by Michael E. Shaheen, JI., to review Department files to

determine:

(1) Whether the FBI investigation of Dr. King's

murder on April 4, 1968, at Memphis, Tennessee, was thorough

and honest;

(2.) Whether there was any evidence of FBI

involvement in Dr. King's death;

(3) Whether any new evidence had come to the

attention of the Department bearing on the assassination which

should be dealt with by the proper authorities; and

(4) Whether the relationship between the FBI and

DI. King called for criminal prosecution, disciplinary

proceedings, or other appropriate action.

After reviewing the murder investigation, the task

force turned to the pre-assassination security investigation of

DI. King. The task force found that there may have been an

arguable basis for the FBI to initiate a security investigation

on Dr. King, but continued that the security investigation

should

have been ended in 1963 and not continued until his death five

years later.

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- 3

The FBI'S COINTELPRO-type harassment of Dr. King and

efforts to drive him out of the civil rights movement were found

to have been clearly improper.

Mr. Shaheen's report concluded that any criminal

action against FBI participants in the harassment campaign was

barred by the statute of limitations. The task force

recommended no disciplinary action because the chief FBI

officials responsible for the harassment are dead or retired.

The task force submitted recommendations for tighter

supervision of the FBI's domestic intelligence activities and

endorsed the Department's new guidelines in this area. The

task force also proposed outright prohibition of COINTELPRO-type

activities against domestic intelligence subjects.

DOJ-1977-02

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## Page 181

JUS

REPORI CE THE DEPARIMENT OF JUSTICE

TASK FORCE TO REVIEW THE FBI MARTIN IUTHER KING, UR.,

SECURITY AND ASSASSINATION INVESTIGATIONS

January 11, 1977

SEARCHED.

INDEXED_

SERIALIZED.

_FILED

WAR4 - 1977

FBI-ATLANTA

Aw 58360 Dantd 32988802 Pasta 181

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TABLE OF CONIENTS

Page

I. INTRODUCIION....

A. The Mission of the Task Force..

1. The Problem...

2. The Attorney General's Directive.

3. Review up to April 26, 1976..•

B. The Task Force and its Method of Review..

II. THE ASSASSINATION INVESTIGATION..

A. Events Surrounding April 4, 1968

1. Poor Peoples Campaign

2. Memphis Sanitation Worker's Strike.

3. Dr. King's Activities on April 4, 1968.

4. FBI Intelligence and Local Police

Activities.

a. FBI Informants .....

b. MPD Infiltration of Invaders.

c. MPD Surveillance Detail and Removal

of Detective Redditt from Duty.............

d. Details of Two Black Firemen

From Fire Station No. 2.....

....

e. MPD Tactical Units-Their Deployment and

Activities on the Evening of

April 4, 1968.

mat of statice pep one anation

FBI Performance

a. The Murder

b. Top Priority Investigation Ordered

c. Progress of the Investigation

(1) Bessie Brewer's Rooming House..

(2) Canipe Amisement Company

(3) Information and Physical

Evidence Tracked.

(4) Los Angeles

(5) Atlanta

... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) Galt Identified as James Earl Ray...

(7) Passport Search.

(8) Ray Apprehended:

2. Alleged Conspiracies.

' . ....

21

24

24

25

26

33

37

47

47

47.

47

48

48

50

52

54

57

58

60

61

62

i

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Page

65

III.

C. The Story of James Earl Ray

1. Chronology of Ray's Activities on and

after April 23, 1967

2. Motive ...

3. Source of funds

......

4. Family contacts and assistance

D. Critical Evaluation of the Assassination

Investigation ....

THE SECURITY. INVESTICATION

A. FBI Surveillance and Harassment of DI. King

1. Initiation of Technical Surveillance and

COINTELPRO Type Activities .......

2. Predicate for the Security Investigation

3. King-Hoover Dispute ...

4. Technical Surveillance

....

5. COINTELPRO Type and Other Illegal

Activities ....

B. Critical Evaluation of the Security

Investigation ....

IV. ROCOMMENDATIONS .....

A. As to the Murder Investigation...

B. As to the Security Investigation

V. APPENDICES .....

Appendix A

Exhibit No.

Map showing location of Tact Units

2

Diagram of Crime scene.

3

4

5

7

James Earl Ray, some known

expenditures: April 23; 1967 to

June 8, 1968.

James: Earl Ray, known income:

April 23, 1967. to June 8, 1968.

Reading Bibliography

Memo fran Scatterday to Rosen,

May 22, 1961.

65

91

97

101

106

113

113

113

121

125

127

132

139

143

143

145

150

151

154

• 156

160

161

162

ii

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 183

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Page

V. Appendix A (cont'a)

Exhibit No.

8

.

Description

Memo from Sullivan to Belmont,

August 30, 1963.

9

10

11

12

13

14

Memo from Baungardner to Sullivan,

September 16,, 1963

Memo for the Director from Tolson,

September 18, 1963

Memo Exom Sullivan to Belmont,

September 25, 1963

Classified (Deleted)

Memo fram Belmont to Tolson,

October 17, 1973

Tatt Rorxe tD Jtins utri EKyng, JX.

December 15, 1976

15

Letter from James Earl Ray to

James H. Lesar, December 20, 1976

16

Transcript of Plea Hearing

17

Classified (Deleted)

18

Classified (Deleted)

Appendix B - Interview Memoranda ......

.......

(Deleted)

165

167

169

170

175

176

177

178

194

200

201

iii

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 184

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I. INTRODUCTION

A. The Mission Of The Task Force

1. Ine Problem

On November 1, 1975, William C. Sullivan, former

Assistant Director, Domestic Intelligence Division,

Federal Bureau of Investigation, testified before the

Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations

with Respect to Intelligence Activities. He related that

from late 1963 and continuing until the assassination of

DI. Martin Luther King, JI., King was the target of an

intensive campaign by the F.B.I. to neutralize him as an

effective civil rights leader. Sullivan stated that in

the war against King 'No holds were barred." (Senate

Report No. 94-755, Final Report of the Select Committee

to Study Govemmental Operations with Respect to

Intelligence Activities, Book II, p. 11). This and other

testimony describing this F.B.I. counterintelligence

campaign against King reached the public through the

news media. As a consequence there was a regeneration of

the widespread speculation on the possibility that the

Bureau may have had some responsibility in Dr. King's

death and may not have done an impartial and thorough

Investigation of the assassination.

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 185

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2. The Attomney Caneral's Directive

On November 24, 1975, the Attorney General of the

United States directed the Civil Rights Division of the

Department of Justice to uncertake a review of the files

of the Department and its Federal Bureau of Investigation

to determine whether. the investigation of the assassination

of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. should-be reopened. More

particularly it was sought to be determined: (1) whether

any action taken in relation to Di. King by the FBI before

the assassination had, or may have had; an effect, direct

or indirect, on that event, and (2) whether any action was

taken by the FBI which had, or may' have had, any other

adverse effect: on Dr. King. Recoumendations for criminal,

disciplinary.or.other appropriate action were réquested.

3. The Review up to April 26, 1976

In the next four months, the Assistant Attomey

General in charge of the Civil Rights Division, his

principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General and the

Chief of the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights

Division, acting as a review staff, variously read portions

of the FBI headquarters file on a person

-2-

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## Page 187

who served as an adviser to De. King, portions of the FBI

headquarters security file on DI. King himself, portions

of the FBI headquarters file on the assassination investi-

gation, some Department (as opposed to FBI) files relating

to DI. King, and other Bureau documents including everything

07 Martin Luther King, JI., held in the late J. Edgar Hoover's

official, confidential and personal files.

By a memorandum to the Attorney General dated April

9, 1976, the Assistant Attomey General in charge of the

Civil Rights Division submitted a 51 page report of the

Chief of the Civil Rights Division's Criminal Section dated

March 31, 1976, embodying the results of the three-man study,

limited to the above listed files, and concentrating almost

exclusively on the pre-assassination surveillance of, and

counterintelligence activities against, Dr. King.

The Assistant Attorney General recommended the

creation of a Departmental Task Force to complete the

review he and his team had begun. He also recommended an

Advisory Committee of distinguished citizens to advise with

the task force. The further review proposed included inter-

rogation of material witnesses, reading all the pertinent

field office files and reviewing all of the headquarters

files relating to Dr. King and possibly to other civil rights

activists. A recoumendation was made to review tapes secured

- 3-

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by electronic surveillance with a view to determining

which of such materials should be and could be legally

destroyed. The Assistant Attomey. General felt that

the FBI should assess the culpability of its agents

involved in the wrongdoing by the principals named in

the report. His memorandum to the Attorney General

concluded that probably criminal redress was time-

barred, that civil remedies might be available to

the King family but might also be more embarrassing

than helpful, and hence that consideration be given

to a direct payment by the settlement process or by

a private bill to compensate the King survivors, or

with the survivors' concurrence; the King Foundation;

if this last issue were left to the task force or an

Advisory Cormission, it should consider the pros and

cons. and recommend as it sees fit.

The Attorney General forwarded the Civil Rights

Division memoranda (and couments thereon fran the Deputy

Attorney General, the Solicitor General, and fron staff

members and the Assistant Attomey General of the Criminal

Division) to the Counsel, Office of Professional Respon-

sibility. The Attorney General charged the Office of

Professional Responsibility with the work of completing

the review begun by the Civil Rights Division. His memo-

randum states:

-4-

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## Page 189

"My request for the review

involved four matters.

First, whether

the FBI investigation of the Dr. Martin

Luther King's assassination was thorough

and honest; second, whether there was

any evidence that the FBI was involved

in the assassination of Dr. King; third,

in light of the first two questions,

whether there is any new evidence which

has come to the attention of the Depart-

ment concerning the assassination of DI.

King which should be dealt with by the.

appropriate authorities; tourth, whether

the nature of the relationship between

the Bureau and Dr. King calls for criminal

prosecution, disciplinary proceedings, or

other appropriate action.

As the fourth point, I again note

that from the partial review which has

been made, Mc. Pottinger concludes 'We

have found that the FBI undertook a system-

atic program of harassment of Martin Luther

King, by means both legal and illegal, ir

order to discredit him and harm both hin

and the movement he led.' Assuming that

the major statutory violations relevant

241 and Section 242, M. Pottinger, s o-

-, Mr. Pottinger's memo-

randum.concludes that any-prosecution con-

templated under those acts would now be

barred by the five-year statute of limita-

tions with the possible exception which

would exist if there were proof of a con-

tinuing conspiracy.

As to the matter of new evidence

or in the relationship between the Bureau

-5-

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## Page 190

and Di. King might give a different

emphasis or new clues in any way to

the question of involvement in that

crime. At this point in the review,

as I read the memoranda, nothing has

tumed up relevant on this latter

point.

That the review be completed. Mr.

Pottinger also, has made other recoumen-

dations upon which there is some differ-

In view of what has

already been done, and the tentative

conclusions reached, special emphasis

should be given to the fourth question.

n conducting this review you shoul

call upon the Department to fumish

to you the staff you need.

My conclusion as to the review

conducted by the Civil Rights Division

is that it has now shown that this

complete review is necessary, particu-

larly in view of the conclusion as to

the systematic program of harassment.

It your review tums up matters for

specific action, we should discuss the

best way to proceed in each such case."

B. The Task Force And The Method Of Review

The Counsel of the Office of Professional Responsi-

bility selected three attorneys from the Civil Rights Division,

Joseph F. GrOSS, JI., James R. Kieckhefer and William D. White,

one attorney from the Criminal Section of the Tax Division,

-6-

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James F. Walker, and a retired attorney Fred G. Folson,.

who is currently a consultant to the Tax Division with

37 years of experience in Civil Rights Division (which

included homocide cases), Criminal Division and Tax

Division prosecutions. As the senior men the latter

was designated to head the task force. This committee

or task force began its work on May 4, 1976. 'The committee

was further staffed by the addition of two research analysts,

Ms. Hope Bymne and Mr. Geoffrey Covert, two secretaries,

Ms. Veronica Keith and Mrs. Renee Holmes, and two clerk-

typists, Mrs. Leroylyne Murray and Ms. Dana Boyd.

Consideration of a tentative outline for an eventual

report based on the chronology of events in the relationship

between Dr. Martin Luther King and the Federal Bureau of

Investigation brought the task force up against the fact

that the field of the history before the assassination had

just been plowed twice: once by the Civil Rights Division

memorandà of March 31, 1976, and April 9, 1976 and once

(among other kindred subjects) by the Senate Select Committee

to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence

Activities (Senate Report, No. 94-155 94th Congress, 2d

Session, Books II and III).

By way of contrast, however, the matter of the assas-

sination of Dr. King and the ensuing investigation had been

-7=

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judged by the Civil Rights Division's Assistant Attorney

General and his two assistants primarily on their famili-

arity with the Department file on the investigation as it

had progressed since 1968. The Civil Rights Division's

Martin Luther King, Jr., review memoranda reflected that

a study had been made of only the first 10 sections of the

FBI headquarters file on the assassination investigation

and only a random inspection was done of some of the remain-

ing 74 sections. There was no factual discussion or analysis.

The conclusion was reached by the Civil Rights Division staff

that "the Bureau's investigation was comprehensive, thorough

and professional'' (Murphy memorandum of March 31, 1976, p. 6).

It was determined, therefore to begin the task force's study

with a complete review of the files on the FBI's investigation

of the assassination. It was the consensus of the review

team that by approaching the whole task by first examining

the character and completeness of the murder investigation

an answer could be made to the Attorney General's question

as to the Bureau's performance in that regard and also an

answer could be indicated to his question going to the Bureau's

possible responsibility, 1f any, direct or indirect, for

Dr. King's death.

After the examination of the FBI's investigation of

the wurder of Dr. King, the review team proceeded to go

!

- 8-

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## Page 193

back and complete the inquiry into the Bureau's pre-

assassination relationship with Ds. King. Necessarily

included again in this second stage of our review was

the consideration of wether the FBI was in any way

Implicated in the murder directly or indirectly.

The task force rade a particular point of looking

at all the material in the FBI headquarters and field

office files on the Assassination Investigation, the so-

called 'Murkin File" (irkin being an acronym for Murder

of King) 1/; the Martin Iuther King Security File 2/; the

Cominfil-SCLC File (Cominfil being an acronym for Conmnist

infiltration; S.C.I.C., the initials for the Southern Christian

Leadership Conference) 3/; the file on Commist Influence

in Racial Matters 4/ and the advisor to King File 5/.

The "Muckin" file was solely concerned with the wider investi-

gation. The other four files provided a multi-focal view

1/ FBI HQ. 44-38861

2/ FBI HQ. 100-106670

• 3/ • FBI HQ. 100-438794

4 PEtited Cost may predecesso question;

FBI HQ. 100-3-116

5/ FBI HQ. 100-392452

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## Page 194

a ripe?

of the Bureau's intelligence and counterintelligence

activities with respect to Dr. Martin Luther King, JI.

The scheme of citation hereinafter used will be to

minimize footnotes, place the source citation in the

body of the writing, and designate headquarters files

by "HQ" and number and serial and Field Office files

by city and number and serial, e.g.: Memphis 44-1987-

153). Exceptions to this scheme will be explained when

made.

The more voluminous of the pertinent files in

addition to the FBI headquarters files and the Washington

Field Office files were located in Memphis, Atlanta,

Baltimore, Charlotte, Birmingham, New Orleans, Los Angeles,

San Francisco, Kansas City, St. Louis, Omaha, Chicago,

Springfield (Ill.), Milwaukee and New York. These were

examined in place by visits by task force personnel. The

remaining files were xeroxed and forwarded for review in

Washington. Pertinent newspaper clipping files maintained.

by the Department and by the Bureau and its field offices

were scanned.

In terms of papers examined, more than 200,000

entries, many with numerous pages concerning both the

murder investigation and the security investigation were

covered. The five attorneys sitting together originally

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## Page 195

and later, as the work progressed, splitting up to

work singly or in teams together with the research

personnel, considered separate sections of each file

compiling notes, carmenting on, or reading aloud, or

noting for reading by all of the camittee, items of

significance. Notes were taken, when pertinent items

were encountered, on a serial-by-serial basis ("serials"

being each separate document entry of one or more pages

in the file). The resulting books of notes were then

reviewed and used in conjunction with the original-source

serials for the development of the statements of fact

herein. In addition witness interviews were reflected

in contemporaneous memoranda which aided in the development

of the facts recited.

Selected portions of the so-called Official and

Confidential files which had been kept in the office of

the late J. Edgar Hoover, some sensitive files in the

office of a Section Chief in the FBI Security Division,

and the files of former Assistant Director William

Sullivan were reviewed. So also were the pertinent

files of the Attorneys General. The task force attorneys

reviewed the transcripts of key intercepted telephone

and microphone overheard conversations of DI. King

and his associates. These were spot checked

-11-

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## Page 196

for accuracy against the tapes of those surveillances.

A canvass of other investigative agencies was made to

determine whether their files reflected that intelligence

or counterintelligence requests had been made upon them

by the FBI in relation to Dr. King, This included the

Defense Department, the State Department, the U.S.

Information Agency, the C.I.A., the Secret Service, the

Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service's

Intelligence Division and the Ireasury Department's Bureau

of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The material tured up

by these agencies was examined, albeit little of consequence

was discovered.

Relevant portions of the investigation reports

of the Memphis Police Department on the King murder were

xeroxed and studied.

In addition to official files, the task force persomel

considered published material from the public sector dealing

with DI. Martin Luther King, JI,, and his assassination.

Included in this category were a viewing of the Columbia

Broadcasting System's program on the death of King in its series

"The Assassins," a National Broadcasting Company "Tomorrow"

program of April 4, 1974, and perusal of books and articles

on the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the role

of the FBI in relation to the murder of Dr. King (see

Bibliography, App. A, Ex. 6). This lead to some valuable

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=

evidentiary material - principally the oral and written

statements of James Earl Ray - which was used to buttress

the reconstruction of the facts of the murder and of the

FBI investigation.

Some 30 interviews were conducted, principally in

the assassination phase of the task force study. They were

helpful in supplementing the results of interviews done

during the murder investigation.

During the review of the Merphis Field Office files,

an on-site inspection of the crime scene was conducted and

the exhibits in the office of the Clerk of the County Court

for Shelby County, Termessee, were examined.

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## Page 198

II. THE ASSASSINATION INVESTIGATION

A. Events Surrounding April 4, 1968

1. The Poor People's Campaign

To understand the movements of Dr. King during this

critical period, it is necessary to briefly discuss the

Poor People's Campaign (POCAM), originally called the

Washington Spring Project in which he and the SCLC were involved.

POCAM was scheduled to begin the first week of April 1968,

and involved recruiting some 3,000 poor unemployed blacks

from 16 localities in the United States for the purpose of

going to Washington, D.C., and petitioning the government to-

improve their economic status (HQ 157-8428-51).

The plan was to camp on the Washington Monument or

Lincoln Memorial grounds (HQ 157-8428-132). During the first

and second weeks, demands would be made of congressmen and

heads of departments, such as the Secretary of Labor. If the

demands were not met, nonviolent demonstrations were to be

conducted (HQ. 157-8428-109).

Do. King's planned travel schedule for February and

March included trips to 9 major cities and visits to various

points in Mississippi, Alabana, South Carolina, North Carolina

and Virginia (HQ 157 8428-75). By mid February Dr. King had

become discouraged with the lack of progress in recruiting and

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training demonstrators (HQ 157-8428-206). During this low

point in the POCAM DI. King was pursuaded to alter his plans

and to go to Memphis, Termessee, in support of a strike involving

the city's sanitation workers.

2. Memphis Sanitation Worker's Strike

On February 12, 1968, approximately 1,000 sanitation

workers employed by the city of Memphis called a wildcat

strike. The strikers were represented by Local 1733 of the

American Federation of State, County and Mmicipal. Employees

who demanded exclusive recognition of the union as bargaining

agent, setting up grievance procedures, wage improvements,

payroll deduction of union dues, and a pronotion system as well

as a pension, hospitalization and life insurance program.

(HQ 157-9146-X1) .

The NAACP intervened in the strike because all of

the sanitation workers, excluding drivers, were black. A.

militant young black power group known as the Invaders was

similarly interested in the strike. The group consisted of

about 15 members, mostly high school dropouts, and was a cell

of a larger group known as Black Organizing Power (BOP) headed

by Charles L. Cabbage and John B. Smith. The alleged purpose

of BOP was to stimulate a sense of black identity, black pride

and black consciousness in young blacks.

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The strikers were also supported by a group of black

ministers, connected with the Memphis Interdenominational.

Ministerial Alliance, who, adopted the name COME (Commumity on

the Move for Equality). It was members of this group that

were instrumental in bringing DI. King to Memphis. On March 3,

1968, the Reverend James M. Lawson, JI., pastor of the

Centenary Methodist Church, Memphis, and member of COME, stated

on a television program (WHBQ-TV) that he wanted to bring

Dr. King (and other heads of civil rights organizations) to

Memphis in an effort to unify the entire black commnity

behind the demands of the strikers (HQ 157-9146-X23). The

intervention of these various black cammunity organizations

caused the city of Memphis to be concerned about the racial

overtones of the strike and the possibility of violence

(HQ 157-9146-XZ) .

Dr. King made his first visit to Memphis in support

of the strike on the night of March 18, 1968. On that occasion,

in addressing an estimated crowd of 9,000 to 12,000 people at

a rally sponsored by COME at the Mason Temple, he called for

a general protest: day on March 22, 1968. All blacks were asked

not to go to work or school on that day and were urged to

participate in a massive downtown march. Dy. King and his

party stayed at the Lorraine Motel, 406 Mulberry Street, on

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the night of March 18, 1968 and left Memphis shortly before

noon on March 19, 1968, ostensibly to go to the State of

Mississippi in connection with the POCAM (HQ 157-9146-X39) .

The City of Memphis was virtually paralyzed by a

16-inch snowfall on March 22, 1968, resulting in the post=

ponement of the plarned mass march, to March 28, 1968. Dr. King

returned to Memphis on the 28th, arriving at the. airport at

approximately 10:22a.m. By that time approximately 5,000 to

6,000 people, about half of whom were of school age, had

congregated at the Claybom Temple (located at 280 Hernando St.)

for the start of the march. According to the plan of the march,

the sanitation workers were in front with the remainder of the

people following behind.. The march was to proceed north on

Hernando to Beale Street, thence west on Beale Street to

Main Street and north on Main Street to City Hall:

The march got underway at approximately 11:00a.m. and

had proceeded to Hernando and Beale before it was joined by

•DI. King. When the front of the march (led by Dr. King)

reached Main Street, teenagers and young adults at the rear

of the march near Third and Beale (two blocks from the front

of the march) ripped the signs off. their poles and began

breaking store windows and looting. Mass confusion developed

and the police moved in to quell the disturbance. The

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disruption of the march caused De. King's aides to conmandeer

an automobile, and Dr. King and his party were escorted by

police to the Rivernont Hotel operated by Holiday Is of

America. (HQ 157-9146-45). DI. King left the march at

11:15a.m. and checked into the Rivermont Hotel at 11:24a.m.

where he stayed until March 29, 1968. DI. King and his party

were scheduled to return to Atlanta on March 28, 1968, at

9:05p.m. via Eastern Airlines and were scheduled to leave

Atlanta the moming of March 29, 1968, for Baltimore

(HQ. 157-9146-45). Thus, jemaining in Memphis on the night

of the 28th was a change in plans.

The city ordered a 7:00p.m. curfew and approximately

3,500 members of the Ternessee National Guard were called out

to end the violence. During the disturbance four blacks were

shot, one fatally; approximately 150 fires were set; and over

300 persons were arrested. Approximately one percent of the

marchers engaged in looting and violence and many of these were

people who were criminally inclined and who had been in previous

trouble. The March 29, 1968, issue of the Memphis "Cormercial

Appeal" reported that many of the looters and window breakers

were black power advocates and that several wore jackets of

the "Invaders"'. However, other sources, including Lieutenant

E.H. Arkin of the Memphis Police Department, indicated that

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many high school age students had put the word "Invaders" on

their jackets for effect and were not necessarily affiliated

with the BOP movement (HQ 157-9146-45). The violence and

disruption of the march was of great concern to De. King

because of the possible effect it might have on the plarned

POCAM. Therefore, he vowed to return to Memphis and

demoristrate that he had not lost his effectiveness in

leading nonviolent marches.

Dr. King, together with his SCLC staff, returned to

Memphis on April 3, 1968, at 10:33a.m. After a press

conference at the airport, the group proceeded to the Lorraine

Motel, arriving there at approximately 11:20a.m. At about

12:05p.m. Dr. King left the Lorraine Motel for a meeting at

the Centenary Methodist Church (Security and Surveillance Rept.

of G.P. Tines, Inspector, Memphis Police Department, dated

July 17, 1968). Dr. King announced at this meeting that his

purpose in returning to Memphis was to lead a mass march on

April 8, 1968 (HQ 157-9146-9 p.8) :

However, on April 3, 1968, United States District

Court Judge Bailey Brown issued a temporary restraining order

against further marches in Memphis (HQ 157-9146-9, p. 1).

Ds. King returned to the Lorraine Motel at 2:25p.m. and sometime

that afternoon Federal Marshals served him and his aides with

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the restraining order. (Security and Surveillance Rept. of

G.P. Tines, Inspector, Memphis Police Department, dated

July 17, 1968).

At approximately 4:00p.m. Dr. King and the SCLC staff

met with the BOP group at which time Charles Cabbage requested

money to institute BOP plans to start a 'Liberation School"

and a "Black Co-op". Dr. King agreed to use his influence

to secure funds for BOP and Rev. Andrew Young agreed to help

write up a plan. It is believed these concessions were made

to BOP in order to keep them in line and prevent them from

following a violent pattern. (HQ 157-9146-9, p. 9)

' On the night of April 3, 1968, Dr. King spoke to

• approximately 2,000 persons at the Mason Temple. He emphasized

that the scheduled mass march must be held on April 8, 1968,

to re-focus attention on the eight-week old sanitation workers

strike.

After the speech, Solomon Jones, JI., serving as

Dr. King's chauffeur drove him back to the Lorraine Motel.

De. King told Jones to report back on Thursday morning,

April 4, 1968, at 8:30a.m. because he had to appear in court

in connection with a restraining order. (Merphis 44-1987-2322

p. 51.)

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Dr. King's Activities on April: 4, 1968

According to Mrs. Georgia M. Davis of Louisville,

Kentucky (FBI interview: HQ File 44-38861-2634, p.20) she,

Rev. A.D. Willians King, (DI. King's brother) and Mrs. Lucie

Ward arrived in Memphis on April 4, 1968, from Florida and

registered at the Lorraine Motel at approximately 1:00a.m.

Upon inquiring about pi. King, they were told that he was

attending a strategy meeting at a church. The three then

• went to the church, but Dr. King was not there.

Retuming to the motel, Dr. King's brother,

Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Ward conversed in room 207 until they

observed Dr. King, along with Reverends Ralph Abernathy

and Bernard Lee, getting out of a taxicab in the motel

courtyard at about 4:30a.m. Dr. King was invited to room 207

where he visited with his brother, Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Ward

until about 5:00a.m. He then went to room 306 where he and

Rev. Abernathy were registered. About a half hour later

De. King went to room 201 where he visited with Mrs. Davis

for approximately one hour. Afterwards he returned to room

306 for a strategy meeting scheduled for 8:00a.m.

Solomon Jones, Jr., Dx. King's chauffer, returned

to the Lorraine Motel at about 8:30a.m. to take him to court.

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However, Rev. Andrew Young advised Jones that he was going to

court instead of DI. King. Therefore Jones was requested

to remain at the motel. (HQ 44-38861-2322, p.51).

Dr. King remained at the motel the entire day,

returning to room 201 at about 1:30p.m. to visit Mrs. Davis.

He was later joined in room 201 by his brother, Mrs. Ward,

Abernathy, Lee, Young, and Attorney Chauncey Eskridge.

The group conversed until about 5:45p.m. when Dr. King

announced they were going to dinner at the home of

Rev. Billy Kyles (HQ 44-38861-2634, p.23). #/ Enroute to

room 306 to dress, Dr. King saw Solomon Jones, Jr. in the

motel courtyard and told him to start the car as they were

preparing to go to dirner (HQ 44-38861-2322, p.52) .

* There is a discrepancy in the exact time Dr. King retumed

to room 305. Mrs. Davis places the time at 5:45p.m. However,

in an FBI interview, Rev. Abernathy stated that on April 4,

1968, he and Dr. King did not leave the motel and spent most

of the day in room 306. He further stated that he and Di. King

had been gone from their room for approximately one hour or

less when they returned to the room at about 5:30p.m. to get

dressed for dirner at the home of Rev. Billy Kyles. (HQ 44-38861-

2322, p. 48).

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At approximately 6:00p.m. Dr. King and Rev. Abernathy

started to leave room 306. Rev. Abernathy stopped for a

moment and DI. King walked out onto the balcony just outside

the door to the roam (HQ 44-38861-2322, p.46). He saw Jones

standing beside the car on the ground level and began a

conversation about the weather. Jones advised DI. King

that he should put on a topcoat as it was cool outside.

During this conversation, Dr. King was facing west and Jones

was facing east and looking up at Di. King from the ground

level. As De. King acknowledged Jones' concern about getting

his topcoat, Jones heard a sound which he thought was a fire

cracker and De. King fell to the floor of the balcony in front

of room 306. Jones immediately called for help and a number

of DI. King's aides, who were either in their rooms or standing

in the courtyard, rushed to his side (HQ 44-38861-2322, p. 52). */

*/ Some critics of the FBI investigation have speculated that

Solomon Jones, Jr. set Dr. King up for the assassination by

unculy detaining him on the balcony. Nothing in the evidence

reviewed by the task force lends any credence to such speculation.

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4. FBI Intelligence and Local Police Activities

a. FBI Informants. Robert G. Jensen, the Special

Agent in Charge of the Memphis Field Office, and Joseph

Hester, case agent for MURKIN, have unequivocally assured

the task force that there was no electronic surveillance of

Dr. King in Memphis. It was explained that. Memphis was not in

the mainstream of Dr. King's SCC activities (Interview

of Special Agent Joe Hester, June 23, 1976, App.B) .

However, FBI agents did observe the sanitation worker's

strike activities for intelligence purposes and the Memphis

Police Department (MPD) and confidential paid informants dia

supply. information to the field office (Interview of former

SAC Robert Jensen, July 7, 1976, App.B) .

Our investigation disclosed that there were five paid

confidential informants providing intelligence regarding the

racial situation to the Memphis Field Office on a continuing

basis. The intelligence coverage provided by these individuals

related to the activities of the Nation of Islam, Black Students

Association of MSU, Students for a Democratic Society, Black

Organizing Power, Black United Front, Afro-American Brother-

hood, Invaders and the sanitation workers strike. There is

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no evidence that the activities of these informants related

directly to Dr. King. Moreover; there is no evidence

that would suggest that these informants were cornected in

any way with the assassination of Dr.. King. (HQ 134-11867;

170-1841; 170-1922; 170-2530 and 137-4885.)

b. MPD Infiltration of the Invaders. In addition

to the paid FBI informants, an officer of the MPD infiltrated

the Invaders in an undercover operation. The officer who was

later exposed and is no longer with the MPD, was interviewed

by the task force. The undercover assigment began in

February of 1968 for the specific purpose of infiltrating

the Invaders who became active about the same time of the

sanitation workers strike. According to the officer the

MPD was primarily interested in the Invaders, not Dr. King,

because the MPD was concerned about what they might do. The

police officer was, in fact, accepted as a member of the

Invaders and participated in their activities. On the

evening of April 4, 1968, when Dr. King was shot, the informant

had been on a shopping trip with Reverend James Bevel and

Reverend James Orange. The informant said he returned

to the Lorraine Motel at approximately 5:00p.m. and was

standing in the motel courtyard at the time Dr. King was

shot. He is positive that the shot that killed De. King

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came from the rear of the buildings which front on South

Main Street.

c. MPD Surveillance Detail and Removal of Detective

Redditt from Duty. * From the time of Dr. King's retum

to Memphis on April 3, 1968, until the time of his

assassination, he was under physical surveillance by the

MPD. Upon learning of Dr. King's flight schedule, Inspector

G.P. Tines of the MPD Inspectional Bureau instructed two

black plainclothes officers, Detective Edward E. Redditt and

Patrolman Willie B. Richmond, to go to the airport to observe

the arrival of Dr. King and to keep him under continuous

suiveillance in order to see with whom he came in contact.

According to Inspector Tines, the surveillance was ordered

because Dr. King was a controversial figure and had met with

local black militants on his prior visit to Memphis. While

at the airport a Mrs. Thomas Matthews pointed her finger at

Redditt and told him that she was going to get him. (Report

of G.P. Tines, July 17, 1968, Re: Security and Surveillance

of D. King, App. B.)

/ The removal of Redditt from duty was cited as one of the

bases for the House Select Committee to investigate the

assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.

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In addition to the surveillance detail, Assistant

Chief of Police W.P. Huston ordered a detail of four men,

comnanded by Inspector Don H. Smith, to go to the airport

for the purpose of providing security for Dr. King. While

waiting for DI. King to arrive, Mrs. Thomas Matthews

advised Lieutenant George K. Davis that she had come to the

airport to pick up DI. King and that no one had asked for

police to be assigned to him. Inspector Smith also asked

Reverend James Lawson where they were going when they left

the airport and he replied: "We have not fully made up our

minds." Nevertheless, when De. King and his party left the

airport, Inspector Smith and his men followed then to the

Lorraine Motel, arriving there at approximately 11:20a.m.

With the assistance of Inspector J.S. Gaglian and two other

officers, Inspector Smith and his men secured the entrances

to the motel.

Dr. King and his party left the Lorraine Motel at

approximately 12:05p.m. and were followed by the security

detail to the Centenary Methodist Church where a meeting

was held. The detail secured the front and rear entrances

of the Church until approximately 2:15p.m. when Dr. King and

his group returned to the motel. The security detail then

returned to the motel area and resumed their positions until

they were ordered to headquarters by Chief J.C. Macdonald

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at approximately 5:05p.m. Inspector G.P. Tines stated in

his report that he was not conferred with and has no idea

why the security detail was removed from Dr. King after

5:05p.m. Former Chief Macdonald has no present recollection

of the security detail (Interview of James C. Macdonald,

former Chief MPD, December 22, 1976, App. B.) The security

detail was not resumed on April 4, 1968, (Reports of

Inspectors Don H. Smith and J.S. Gagliano as incorporated

in Report of Inspector G.P. Tines, supra.)

As a separate activity from the security detail,

Detective Redditt and Patrolman Richmond went to the airport

on April 3id and observed Dr. King's arrival. When Dr. King

left the airport they followed him to the Lorraine Motel

and learned that he was registered in room 306. Redditt

telephoned headquarters and informed Inspector Tines where

DI. King was staying. At approximately 12:05p.m. Redditt

and Richmond followed Dr. King and his party to the

Centenary Methodist Church where a closed meeting of

approximately 30 black ministers was scheduled. Redditt

again called headquarters and advised his superiors of his

location. Redditt was instructed to leave Richmond at the

church and for him to return to the area of the Lorraine

Motel for the purpose of finding a suitable place where

close surveillance could be kept on the motel. Richmond

remained at the Centenary Methodist Church until the

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d=

meeting was over at approximately 2:15p.m. Richmond then

went to Clayborn Temple where he thought DI. King would

address the sanitation workers prior to a scheduled 3:00p.m.

march.

However, Dr. King did not make an appearance there.

Richmond telephoned headquarters at about 3:30p.m. and was

advised that DI. King had returned. to the motel and that

Redditt had set up a surveillance post at Fire Station No. 2,

located at South Main and Butler streets. Richmond

innediately left Clayborn Temple and joined Redditt: at the

fire station. (Interview of Patrolman W.B. Richmond,

April 9, 1968, MPD Statements, State v. James Earl Ray

P. 1444).

The rear of Fire Station No. 2 overlooks the Lorraine

Motel and provided an excellent vantage point where Redditt

and Richmond could observe Dr. King and his associates as

they entered and left the motel. On April 3, 1968, Redditt

and Richnond remained at their observation post until 6:35p.m.

at which time they were relieved by Lieutenant E.H. Arkin

and Lieutenant J.V. Papia of the MPD Internal Security Bureau.

(Statement of Edward E. Redditt, April 10, 1968, MPD Statements,

State vs. James Earl Ray p. 1453).

After leaving their observation post, Redditt and

Richmond went to the Mason Temple where Dr. King was

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scheduled to address a mass meeting. Shortly after they

arrived at the temple, Redditt was approached by Reverend

Malcomb D. Blackburn and told that the word was out that

he was over in the fire station near the Lorraine Motel

spying with binoculars. Reverend Blackburn also advised

Richmond that the temple was the wrong place for him

because the tension was too high. Fearing they would be

exposed, Redditt and Richmond left the meeting at approximately

8:50p.m. (Report of Inspector G.P. Tines.)

Redditt and Richmond resumed their surveillance

of the Lorraine Motel from Fire Station No. 2 on April 4,

1968, at 10:30a.m. At approximately 12:50p.m. Redditt

received a threatening telephone call from a female io

stated that he was doing the black people wrong, and they

were going to do him wrong. (Interview of Edwärd E. Redditt,

April 10, 1968.)

At approximately 4:00p.m., Redditt was ordered by

telephone to leave the fire station and report to headquartérs

where he was advised that threats had been made on his life.

He was, therefore, ordered to move his family into a motel

under an assumed name by Frank Holloman, former Director

of Police and Fire, Memphis, Tenn. (Interview of Frank

Holloman, September 15, 1976, App. B.) Redditt was taken

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home in a squad car, but refused to move his family because

of a sick relative. At about the time the squad car arrived

in front of Redditt's residence, it was announced on the

radio that Dr. King had been shot. After a couple of days,

Redditt did not hear any more about the threat on his life.

(Interview of Edward E. Redditt, July 3, 1976, App. B.)

In our efforts to trace the source of the threat, we

have found that Philip R. Manuel, an investigator with the

Senate Investigating Cormittee, chaired by Senator McClellan

was in Merphis on April 4, 1968. While at the MPD Manuel

advised them based on a telephone call to his office in

Washington, that the Senate Cormittee Staff had incornation

from an informant in Mississippi that the Mississippi

Freedom Democratic Party had made plans to kill a 'Negro

lieutenant'' in Memphis. Manuel left Memphis on a 5:50p.m.

flight to Washington and the next day (April 5, 1968) he.

telephoned the MPD and. advised them that the threat was on

the life of a "Negro lieutenant"' in Knoxville rather than

Memphis. (Report of Inspector G.P. Tines, July 17, 1968,

supra.)

Philip R. Manuel neither has a, present recollection

of providing the information regarding the threat to the MPD,

nor does he have a memorandum of the event. However, he

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confirmed that he was in Memphis and visited the MPD at

the time stated and that his office did have a Mississippi

source. Moreover, he said the events sounded familar and

he believed the MPD records were correct. (Interview of

Philip R. Manuel, September 28, 1976, App. B.)

Although Redditt was relieved fron duty at Fire

Station No. 2, Richmond remained there and continued to

observe who entered and left the motel. At approximately

6:00p.m. Richmond saw Dr. King leave his room and walk

to the handrail on the balcony. The Reverend Billy Kyles

was standing off to Dr. King's right. An instant later

Richmond heard a loud sound similar to a shot and saw

DI. King fall back from the handrail and put his hand up

to his head. At approximately 6:01p.m. Richmond telephoned

headquarters and reported that Dr. King had been shot.

He was instructed to remain at the fire station. Richmond

then yelled to members of a MPD tactical squad (which had

stopped at the station a few moments earlier) that he

believed DI. King had been shot. He then ran to the front

of the fire station and looked north and south on South Main

Street, but did not see anyone ruming or walking, except

the men in the tactical squad who left the fire station

ruming in different directions. Shortly thereafter,

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Captain J. G. Ray arrived at the fire station and instructed

Richmond to go to headquarters and make a detailed report

of what he had seen. (Interview of Patrolman W.B. Richmond,

April 9, 1968, supra.)

d. Details of Two Black Firemen from Fire Station

No. 2-J/ As of April 3, 1968, Norvell E. Wallace and Floyd E.

Newsum were the only black firemen assigned to Fire Station

No. 2 of the Memphis Fire Department (MFD). Wallace was

working the night shift on April 3rd and Newsum was scheduled

to report for the day shift on April 4th. Both of these

individuals actively supported the sanitation workers strike,

attending their rallies and making financial contributions.

In our interview of Wallace (Interview July 8, 1976

App. B.) he stated that at about 10:00 or 10:30 on the night

of April 3rd his captain told him that a call had come in

requesting that a man be detailed to Fire Station No. 33.

He was immediately detailed to No. 33 although it was raining

and he was preparing to go to bed. Wallace further stated

that while Fire Station No. 33 was understaffed as a whole,

there was no shortage of personnel for the pump truck on which

he worked. Otherwise, he does not know why he was detailed.

*/ The details of the black firemen from Fire Station No. 2 is

a second reason cited as a basis for the House Select Camittee

to investigate the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Also, on the night of April 3rd Fireman Newsum, in

a wholly personal capacity, attended a rally at the Mason

Temple where Di. King made his last speech. When he returned

home (about 10:30p.m.) there was a message for him to call

It. J. Snith at the fire department. When he called,

Lt. J. Smith ordered him to report to Fire Station No. 31

on the morning of April 4th rather than Fire Station No. 2.

Newsun claims that Fire Station No. 31 was overstrength at

the time and his detail made his company short. Moreover,

he says he never has received a satisfactory explanation

why he was detailed. However, he did say that It. Barnett

at one time told him he was detailed at the request of-the

police. (Interview of Floyd E. Newsum, July 8, 1976,

App. B. )

Interviews of past and present members of the MED have

failed to disclose the individual who initiated the order or

the reason for detailing Wallace and Newsum. According to

former It. Jack Smith, he received a telephone call between

3:00p.m. and 5:00p.m. on April 3, 1968, fran either Captain

James I. Baity or former Assistant Chief Arthur J. Rivalto

in the personnel department specifically requesting that

Newsum be detailed. No reason was given for the detail.

Smith said he immediately called Newsum, but Newsum was not

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home. Therefore, Smith left a message for Newsum to call

the fire station. Newsum called about 10:30p.m. and Smith

advised him of the detail (Interview of Jack Smith, dated

September 27, 1976).

Wallace's commanding officer, then Captain R.T.

Johnson, likewise stated that he received a telephone

call from someone in the personnel department requesting

him to detail Wallace. However, Johnson has no present

recollection of who the individual was 'that made the

request. (Interview of R.I. Johnson, Deputy Chief, Memphis

Fire Department, December 21, 1976, App. В.)

Neither Captain Baity nor former Assistant. Chief

Rivalto has any present recollection of the detail of

Wallace or Newsum. Captain Baity indicated that any

district chief could have ordered the men moved (Interview

of James I. Baity, September 27, 1976, App. B). Also,

former Assistant Chief Rivalto said the fire department

shifted people around all the time when a campany became

understrength because of sickness, etc. (Interview of

Arthur J. Rivalto, September 27, 1976, App. B).

Similarly, the former Chief of the MFD, Edward A.

Hamilton, has no recollection of the details. He speculated

that the men could have been detailed for a "fill in" to

bring a company up to strength (Interview of Edward A.

Hamilton, September 27, 1976, App. B) .

• •

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The MFD Strenth Report-Firefighting Personnel for

Shift "A"', Battalions One and Eight, dated April 3, 1968

(attached to Reinterview of James R. Boatwright, October 20,

1976, App. B) show that Wallace's Company No. 2 at Fire

Station No. 2 was operating at minimm strength (five men)

after he was detailed; whereas Company No. 33 to which he

was detailed operated at one over the minimm strength

(four men) after the detail. Likewise, the Strength Report

for Shift "g" for Battalions One and Two, dated April 4,

1968 (Also attached to the Boatwright interview of October 20,

1976) show that Newsum's Company No. 55 at Fire Station No. 2

was operating at minimum strength (five men) after the detail,

but Company 31 to which he was detailed operated at one over

the minimum strength (four men) after the detail.

However, former Deputy Chief James O. Barnett stated

that the people on the security detail operating out of

the fire station probably felt better without Wallace and

Newsum around (Interview of James 0. Barnett, September 27,

1976.) On the other hand, Assistant Chief James R. Boatwright

explained that they were having a very tense situation at

the time; that a number of threatening calls had been

received at Fire Station No. 2; and that the consensus of

opinion was that Wallace and Newsum were detailed for their

own protection, since they were the only black firemen assigned

to that station (Interview of James R. Boatwright, September 23,

1976) .

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In this connection MPD Patrolman Willie B. Richmond

and former Detective Edward E. Redditt, who conducted the

surveillance of Dr. King and his associates from the fire

station, were recontacted and specifically asked wnether

they had requested that Wallace and Newsun be detailed.

Both Richmond and Redditt denied that they made such a

request or had knowledge of any one elsé in the police

department making such a request (Reinterviews of Richnond

and Redditt, September 28, 1976, App. B)..

Our investigation has not disclosed any evidence

that the detail of Wallace and Newsum was in any way

connected with the assassination of Dr. King. However,

the circumstances surrounding the details strongly suggest

that both men were detailed because they supported the

sanitation workers and were considered to be a threat to .

the security of the surveillance of Dr. King conducted from

the fire station by Patrolman Richmond and Detective Redditt.

e: MPD Tactical Units- Their Deployment and

Activities on the Evening of April 4, 1968. When the sanitation

workers of Memphis began their strike in February of 1968, the

MPD either organized or beefed up various tactical units.

Generally, each of these units consisted of 12 law enforcement

officers fron the MPD and the Shelby County Sheriff's Department.

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These units were organized for the purpose of avoiding riots

which other cities, such as Detroit, had experienced (Interview

of Frank Holloman, former Director of Fire and Police for the

City of Memphis, September 15, 1976, App. B). Documents

obtained from the State's Attorney General (Item 9 from MPD

Miscellaneous Records) show that on the evening of April 4,

1968, at the time DI. King was shot, there were nine tactical

mits in service at various locations as follows:

Tact Unit No.

6

8

99

10

Street Locations

Thomas and North Parkway

Jackson and Watkins

Chelsea and Watkins

Main and Butler

Georgia and Orleans

12

Trigg and Latham

13

Bellevue and Effie

17.

Union and Bellevue

18

Fourth and Gayoso

In addition to the tactical units, the documents

obtained from the State's Attorney General show that there

were ten regular police cars (with 3 to 4 men per car) in

the general area of the Lorraine Motel. These cars were

at the following locations at the time De. King was shot:

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Car No.

- 224

228

Street Locations

Main and Beale

Third and Poplar

232

Fourth and Butler

230

236

Union and Front

Third and Belz

245

247

365

Second and Gayoso

Crimp and Barton

Larmar and Bellevue .

367

369

Poplar and Cleveland

Linden and East

Thé map (Part of Iten 9 from MPD Miscellaneous

Recoras, see App. A, Ex. 1) shows that Tact Units 10 and 18

were within a radius of one mile of the crime scene (200

block of Mulberry Street) at the time of the shooting; and

Tact Units 6,11 and i2 were within a radius of two miles

of the scene. Tact hits 7,14,15 and 16 were located outside

the boundaries of the map and 'äre not shown. Cars number

224,230;232,245 and 247 were within a radius of one mile of

the scene and cars number 228 and 369 were within a radius

of two miles. However, cars number 236,365 and 367 were

outside the boundaries of the map.

Particular emphasis is given to Tact Unit 10 and

the activities of its men, as this it was located at

Fire Station No. 2 (S. Main and Butler) at the time of the

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shooting. On the afternoon of April 4, 1968, Tact Unit 10,

consisting of three cars and 12 men stopped at Fire Station

No. 2 for a rest break at approximately 5:50p.m. The unit

was carmanded by It. 'Judson E. Ghorley of the Shelby County

Sheriff's Department. The other members of the unit included

Deputies W.A. DuFour, W.J. Berry, Vernon Dollahite, R.N. Baker

and Ronald Maley of the sheriff's department; and Patrolmen

Carroll Dunn, William Gross, Jason Morris, Barney Wright,

Enmett Douglass and Torrance Landers of the MPD.

Interviews of the above named men indicate that when

the unit arrived at the fire station, the cars were parked

on the north side of the fire station entrance with the lead

car actually obstructing the sidewalk. The second car was

parked directly behind the lead car and the third car was

double parked alongside these two cars. (MPD Statements,

State v. James Earl Ray, DuFour p. 1449; Berry p. 1450;

Ghormley pp.1451 and 1532; Dollahite pp.1455 and 1505;

Dunn p.1457; Gross p. 1460; Morris p.1463; Wright p. 1466;

Baker p. 1468; Douglass p.1469; Landers p.1471 and Maley

p. 1480.)

While Patrolman Douglass remained with the lead car

to monitor the radio, all of the other men went into the fire

station to take a break. When the shot was fired that killed

De. King (at approximately 6:01p.m.), these men were at various

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locations in the fire station drinking coffee, making telephone

calls, etc. Patrolman Richmond, who was manning the surveillance

post in the rear of the station, yelled throughout the station

that Dr. King had been shot. The members of the tact unit,

some of whom had heard the shot, all ran out the north side

of the fire station and then east toward the rear of the fire

station and the Lorraine Motel. (See diagram of crime scene,

App. A. Ex. 2) .

Patrolman Douglass, who had renained in the lead car

to monitor the radio, heard the shot when it was fired. He

immediately got out of the car and ran toward the rear of the

fire station with the other men. After Patrolman Douglass

realized what had happened, he returned to the lead car, along.

with Patrolman Wright, and radioed the dispatcher that Dr. King

had been shot. Douglass and Wright then drove the lead car

south on S. Main to E. Butler, east on E. Butler to Mulberry

and north on Mulberry to the entrance of the Lorraine Motel.

Douglass and Wright later drove the car, accompanied by one

or two other unidentified officers, north on Mulberry to

Huling, west on Huling to S. Main and south on S. Main to the

front of the buildings located just north of the fire station. &

*/ There are conflicts in the statements of Douglass, Wright

and Ghormley: Douglass stated that Ghormley and other unidentified

officers got in the car with him at the fire station and they drove

to the lorraine Motel. According to Wright's version, he and

ouglass left the fire station together and picked up one or two

other identified officers at the Lorraine Motel. On the other

and, Ghormley claims he turned around at the concrete wall at th

ear of the fire station and ran to the front of the station anc

then north on S. Main Street.

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The other men in the tact nit continued to the rear

of the fire station to a concrete retaining wall abutting

Mulberry Street. Dufour, Dollahite, Morris, Baker, Landers,

Maley and Dunn climbed down the concrete wall and ran across

Mulberry Street to the Lorraine Motel. DuFour and Morris ran

up the stairs to the balcony where De. King's body lay.

The people there said the shot had come from a red brick

building north of the fire station on S. Main Street. While

Dufour remained with Dr. King's body until the ambulance came,

Morris ran north on Milberry to Huling and west on Huling to

the north side of the buildings facing S. Main Street. Another

officer (probably Maley or Dum) was already at that point,

and Morris stopped there to assist him in securing that area:

Baker ran to the Motel balcony where Dufour was standing

beside Dr. King's body. He then ran back to Mulberry St. and

ran north for a distance to an alley. Baker ran into the

alley looking for anything suspicious. He noticed that

other members of the tact unit were securing a building

(probably the building with its north end on Huling).

Therefore, Baker went to the corner of Mulberry and E. Butler

and took up a position there.

After Landers learned the direction the shot came

from, he found a 55-gallon drum and climbed back up the

concrete retaining wall on Mulberry St, into the lot on

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which the building where the shot was fired is located. Landers

observed that the bathroom window was partially opened and

he saw an elderly white male come up to the window and look out.

He ordered him to get back from the window. Landers also saw

an elderly white female looking out a window directly south

of the bathroom window. He ordered her to get away from the

window. Landers also checked the bushes on the lot for

evidence and checked the entire area for footprints. After

other officers arrived, Landers and another MPD officer

climbed onto the roof of a one story building which backs

up to Mulberry St. This building runs along the north side

of the building whence the shot was fired. Finding nothing

on the roof, they came down and started up an alley leading

to a basement. About 10 feet up the alley they found two

fresh footprints in the mud. Landers guarded these footprints

until homicide detectives arrived on the scene. Subsequently,

a plaster case was made of each footprint. However, the

footprints were never positively identified by either the

MPD or the FBI.

Upon learning where the shot was fired from, Dollahite

and Maley ran out of the motel courtyard, turned north on

Mulberry to Huling and west on Huling toward S. Main. Maley

stopped in the center of the block and began guarding the

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north end of the building. However, Dollahite continued running

(with gun drawn) to S. Main and turned south on S. Main.

Doliahite noticed a number of patrons in Jim's Gill at 418

S. Main. He ran into the cafe and ordered everyone to remain

seated and not to leave. Dollahite then stopped momentarily

at Canipe's Amusement Company located at 424 S. Main where

he observed a green bed spread lying in the doorway partially

covering a blue suitcase and a box containing a rifle. As he

continued down S. Main a short distance near a fenced-in

parking area, Dollahite observed Lt. Ghormley and another

officer coming north on S. Main. Dollahite turned around

at that point and walked back to Canipe's store ahead of

Lt. Ghormley and then crossed the street for the purpose of

securing the front of the building. After he took up his

position, Douglass and Wright drove up in the lead car.

Other officers who did not climb down the retaining

wall at the rear of the fire station and run to the motel

are Chormley, Gross and Berry. After running to the

retaining wall and observing the people pointing to the

building on S. Main St., Berry came back to the fire station

entrance, jumped in a cruiser and drove north on S. Main to

the first intersection at Huling where he stopped the car

in the street and secured that area.

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Ghormley and Gross also returned to the front of

the fire station after first rurning to the retaining wall.

They both turned north on S. Main and ran toward Huling.

Ghormley stopped at Canipe's Amusement Co. where he observed

what appeared to be a blanket partially covering a blue

suitcase and a Browning rifle box with about a foot of the

barrel of a rifle exposed.

The apparent discrepancies in the statements of

Chormley and Dollahite can be accounted for only by the

mass confusion which must have occurred immediately after

the shooting. Howéver, it appears that Dollahite first

observed the bindle while ruming south on S. Main with

his gun drawn. But, he continued past Canipe's Amusement

Company and after he saw Ghormley and the other officer

coming north he turned around and took up a position on the

opposite side of the street from Canipe's.

Guy H. Canipe, the owner of Canipe's Amusement Co.,

informed Chormley that a white male had just dropped the

bundle in front of his door a minute or two earlier and had

Iun south on S. Main. Ghormley radioed this information to

headquarters and stood guard over the articles. Shortly there-

after, Canipe told Chormley that a white Mustang automobile

had left the area at a high rate of speed after the bundle was

dropped. Ghormley also

radioed this information to headquarters.

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According to the transcript of the MPD radio tapes

(MPD James Earl Ray Supplements, Attorney General's copy,

Supplement 79, p.1714) Tact Unit 10 advised the dispatcher

that Dr. King had been shot at the Lorraine Motel at 6:03p.m.

By 6:06p.m., the dispatcher had ordered a circle formed

around the Lorraine Motel and the buildings west of the

motel on S. Main. Moreover, patrol cars and other Tact

Units had begun to arrive on the scene. At 6:07p.m. Tact

Unit 10 advised the dispatcher that the weapon was in front

of 424 S. Main and that the subject ran south on S. Main.

At 6:08p.m. the subject was described as a well-dressed, young,

white male. At 6:10p.m. the dispatcher relayed information

from Tact Unit 10, that the subject had left the area in a

late model white Mustang.

The men in the Tact Units and patrol cars kept the

area sealed off, directed traffic, and checked out suspicious

individuals while detectives from the Homicide Squad investi-

gated the scene. Inspector Nevelyn E. Zachary of the MPD

Homicide Squad arrived at the Lorraine Motel at approximately

6:15p.m., and by 6:30p.m. he had taken custody of the bundle

of articles found in the doorway of Canipe's Amusement.

Zachary. turned the bundle, except for a tee shirt and pair

of shorts, over to the FBI at about 9:30 or 10:00p.m. The

tee shirt and shorts were also turned over to the FBI after

the laundry marks were checked with local laundries (Interview

of former Inspector Nevelyn E. Zachary, September 15, 1976,

App. B) .

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B. The FBI Investigation Of The Assassination

1. The Department of Justice Response and FBI

Performance

a. The Murder. At approximately 6:00 p.m. on

April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was standing

on the balcony outside of his room at the Lorraine Motel

in Memphis, Tennessee. Monents later, Dr. King was shot

by a high power rifle and then rushed to St. Joseph's

Hospital. At 7:05 p.m. he was pronounced dead. The

cause of death was a bullet wound which tore the major

neck blood vessels and severed the spinal cord at the

root of the neck (Memphis 44-1987 Sub sec. 1-13, and see

autopsy report, App. A, Ex. 3).

b. Top Priority Investigation Ordered. The Memphis

Police Department was immediately aware of the King assault

and promptly notified the FBI Memphis Field Office headed by

SAC Robert G. Jensen. SAC Jensen telephonically relayed the

information to Washington where Director Hoover and Attorney •

General Clark were informed. The Memphis Field Office was

directed on the evening of April 4, 1968 to immediately conduct

a full investigation of the matter as a possible violation

of 18 U.S.C. 241, the civil rights conspiracy statute (HQ 44~

38861-109).

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•

This directive soon became national in scope with

SAC's in all FBI Field Offices being ordered by teletype

on April 7, 1968, to participate and conduct a top priority

investigation under their personal supervision. . This meant

all leads were to be afforded immediate, thorough and

imaginative attention and all possibilities from such leads

exhausted. Also, 24 hours was set as the period after receipt

of a lead within which the investigation and reporting must

be completed. All SAC's were to bear personal responsibility

for any failure to handle the investigation (HQ 44-38861-153) .

c. Progress of the Investigation. The breadth of

this top priority investigation 1s repeatedly evidenced in

the Murkin files. All informant sources - racial, security

and criminal - were immediately alerted and contacted for

information. The KKK and other hate groups as well as

individuals known to have violent proclivities were checked.

The files were checked for prior threats against Martin Luther

King, JI. (HQ 44-38861-2649). Name checks were continuously

being made on Selective Service records, city and telephone

directories, drivers license bureaus, motor vehicle divisions,

financial institutions, credit records, criminal and civil

records, marriage licenses, public utility rolls, unions,

cannon carrier passenger lists and more (e.g. HQ 44-38861-233).

(1) Bessie Brewer's Rooming House. Key information

was developed early at Bessie Brewer's Rooming House whence

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the shot was fired. Bessie Brewer, Charles A. Stephens

and William C. Anchutz were interviewed and a physical

description of a suspect was obtained.

Bessie Brewer, resident manager of the rocming house,

explained that a "John Willard" registered with her April 4,

between 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.M. He was first directed to

Roon 8, but rejected it because it had a stove and refrig-

erator. Instead, he asked for a sleeping room only and

accepted Room 5-B in the rear of the hostelry. This room

provided a window with a view of Dr. King's room at the

Lorraine Motel. Mrs. Brewer described the new tenant as

a white male approximately 35 years of age, 5'1l"' to 6' tall,

weighing 180 pounds with a medium build and presenting a neat

clean appearance (Memphis 44-1987 Sub Sec. 1-15).

Stephens, who was in his room on the afternoon of

April 4, remembers hearing footsteps between Room 5-B

and the bathroom. He also remembers the bathroom being

occupied for considerable periods of time - 20 to 30 minutes -

without water running or the toilet being flushed except for

the last visit. This last visit ended when he heard what

he is certain was a gun shot. Interrupted by the shot,

Stephens opened his door to the hallway to see a man running

down the hallway carrying a large wrapped bundle. As this

man ran down the hall in the direction of Anchutz, Stephens

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recalls believing that he had seen this person earlier

that afternoon with Mrs. Brewer. Stephens described him

as a white male of average build, in his 30's, 5'10" to 11"

tall, weighing 165 pounds and wearing a dark suit presenting

a neat clean appearance (Memphis 44-1987 Sub A sec. 1).

Like Stephens, Anchutz was a resident of the rooming

house and in his room at the time of the shooting. Also

Like Stephens, Anchutz occupied a room adjacent to "John

Willard." He recalls watching television in his room that

afternoon when he heard a gun shot. Immediately, he went

to, the door and as he opened it saw a man running toward him.

This man covered his face as he ran and carried a blanket

wrapped bundle. Anchutz addressed the man, saying: "I

thought I heard a shot." The man responded: "Yeh, it was a

shot." Anchutz described the man as 6' tall with a slim

build and in his 30's (Memphis 44-1987 Sub A sec. 1).

(2) Canipe Amusement Company. The Canipe Amusement

Company is located at 424 South Main Street and is just a

short distance from Bessie Brewer's Rooming House at 422%

South Main Street. In the recessed entrance to Canipe Company

a blanket wrapped bundle (presumably. the bundle Stephens

and Anchutz saw) containing valuable pieces of physical

evidence was recovered shortly after the shooting.

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The store owner, Guy W. Canipe, and two customers,

Bernell Finley and Julius L. Graham, were in the store at the

time of the assassination. Each was interviewed by the

FBI and described hearing a "thud" which drew their attention,

and as they looked to see what had happened, they observed

the blanket wrapped bundle in the entrance. At the same

time, they saw a man dressed in a dark suit walking rapidly

south on the sidewalk away from the bundle. A few monents

later, they said, a white compact automobile - possibly a

Mustang - proceeded north on South Main Street at a high

rate of speed. The male was described as white, approximately

30 years of age with a medium build, 5'10" to 6' tall and

weighing 160 to 180 pounds. (Memphis 44-1987 Sub A sec 1).

The bundle, after being discovered at Canipe's doorway

by a member of a Memphis Police Department Tactical Squad,

first came into the custody of Inspector Zachary of the

Memphis Police Department's Homicide Bureau. Later in the

evening of April 4, 1968, between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.,

Inspector Zachary delivered the bundle to SAC Jensen who

immediately had it flown by agent courier to Washington for

laboratory examination (Memphis 44-1987-610). The bundle

contained a Model 760 Remington Gamemaster rifle, 30-06

Springfield caliber, and a blue zipper bag. The bag contained

various toilet articles along with a pair of men's underwear

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with laundry tags, a pair of binoculars, two cans of

beer, and a paper bag bearing an advertisement for York

Arms Company, Memphis, Termessee, with a York Arms Company

cash sales receipt dated April 4, 1968 Memphis 44-1987

Sub A sec 1).

(3) Information and Physical Evidence Tracked. The

investigation continued with emphasis on tracing all physical

evidence and information received. To this end a search

of all Memphis area hotels and motels was initiated for

the source of the blanket and bar of soap found in the blue

zipper bag. Also, registrations at area is were examined

for the unknown suspect who fled the rooming house and who.

might be driving a white compact automobile. At the same

time, the rifle, scope, binoculars, cans of beer, laundry

tags and other items were tracked (HQ 44-38861-139).

The rifle and scope were quickly traced to the Aero

Marine Supply Company in Birmingham, Alabama. The rifle

was sold to a 'Harvey Lowwyer" March 30, 1968. The scope,

along with a second rifle, was purchased March 29, 1968,

but "Lownyer" exchanged this rifle the following day for

the one recovered at the Canipe Amusement Company. Accord-

ing to the Aero Marine salesman, "Lowayer" explained that

he talked with his brother and was advised a more powerful

rifle was necessary for deer hunting in Wisconsin. However,

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a laboratory examination of this returned rifle revealed

that it was clogged with cosmoline (a heavy grease firearm

preservative) and could not be loaded and readied to fire

(HQ 44-38861-432). The salesman also provided a physical

description of "Lownyer" which matched those previously

obtained (HQ 44-38861-180) •

The paper bag and the sales receipt from York Arms

Company led agents to the Memphis store where the binoculars

were purchased. The York Arms salesman explained that he

sold the pair of binoculars at approximately 4:00 p.m.

April 4, 1968, to a white male matching the descriptions

previously obtained (Memphis 44-1987 Sub A sec. 1). By

checking the manufacturer's can codes and distribution records,

the two beer cans were traced to Southhaven Mirnow Shop,

Southhaven, Mississippi (HQ 44-38861-1360) •

The center of the investigation shifted from Memphis

to Birmingham on April 9, when the search of Memphis inns.

focused on the Rebel Motel and the April 3 registration

record of an Eric Starvo Galt. It was already known that

the rifle and scope were purchased in Birmingham and the

Galt registration also pointed to Birmingham.

The registra-

tion record aroused interest because Galt registered for the

night of April 3 only, listed a Birmingham address and drove a

Mustang with Alabama license plates, (HQ 44-38861-1180).

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The possibility of a link between Eric Starvo

Galt and the unknown subject was pursued in Alabama by the

Birmingham and Mobile offices. In their pursuit they

learned that on August 29, 1967, Galt purchased a 1966

white Mustang automobile. The Bureau agents also leamed

that the State of Alabama issued a motor vehicle operator's

license in October 1967 to Eric Starvo Galt, 2608 Highland

Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama. The physical description

obtained from this license matched those previously received:

white male, born July 20, 1931, 5'11" tall, 175 pounds with

blue eyes and brown hair (HQ 44-38861-1180).

When the investigation moved to Galt's Birminghan

address it was learned that Galt lived there in late August

until early October 1967. Because of the length of this

contact, emphasis was placed on developing information on

Calt's background. Significantly, it was leamed that during

his Birmingham sojoum Galt expressed an enthusiastic

interest in dancing and attended dancing school there

(HQ 44-38861-607).

(4) Los Angeles. Soon after the Birmingham connection

was uncovered Los Angeles became a focal point in the investi-

gation. The significance of Los Angeles became apparent

April 1l, with the knowledge of four facts.

One, when on April 11, 1968, the Bureau located Galt's

abandoned Mustang in Atlanta a search of it indicated that

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Calt had had it serviced twice in the Los Angeles area

(HQ 44-38861-989) .

Two, also incident to the search of the Mustang a

fragment of cardboard torn from a Kleenex box was found.

On it were the names and Los Angeles addresses of Anita

Katzwinkel and Ginger Nance (HQ 44-38861-989)

Three, laundry markings from the recovered underwear

were tracked to Home Service Laundry and Dry Cleaning,

Hollywood, California (HQ 44-38861-885). The following

day agents learned that the name Eric Starvo Galt appeared

in the laundry's records.

Lastly, a pair of pliers recovered from the blue

zipper bag were traced to the Ronpage Hardware Store which

is within five blocks of Home Service Laundry and Dry

Cleaning (HQ 44-38861-1174).

Since it was known that while in Birminghäm Galt

pursued an interest in dancing, all dance schools in the

Los Angeles area were checked. Galt's name appeared in

the records of the National Dance Studio, Los Angeles.

(44-38861-1293).

Eventually, the dance studio contact proved to be

most important because it was through an interview with the

dance studio owner that a photograph of Eric Starvo Galt was

finally obtained. The owner keyed the agents to an interest

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Galt had expressed in attending a bartending school

(HQ 44-38861-1066). Checking the area, the Intemnational

School of Bartending was located and it provided Galt's

graduation photograph. For the first time, agents were

able to see and distribute a photo of their subject. To be

sure of maximum dissemination, the photo was circulated among

the news media (HQ 44-38861-967) .

While in Los Angeles Galt first lived at the Serrano

Apartments and later at the St. Francis Hotel. Persons

contacted at these locations called him a "loner" and

described him as a person who: kept to himself. A departure

from this characterization, however, was reported by Charles

Stein who, at no expense to himself, rode with Galt in the

Mustang from Los Angeles to New Orleans and return.

Stein explained that he and his sister Rita Stein met

Galt through their cousin Marie Martin who was working as a

bar maid at the Sultan Bar located in the St. Francis Hotel.

Galt had mentioned to Martin that he was planning to drive

to New Orleans and she asked if he would be willing to give .

her cousin a ride there in order to pick up her children.

He agreed, but it was Charles and not Rita who went along

with Galt (HQ 44-38861-1117).

Notwithstanding the information Stein provided, the

investigation moved no closer to locating Galt. New Orleans

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was scoured for clues and although Galt's hotel and room

were located the effort was fruitless (HQ 44-38861-1197) .

Stein also stated Galt made several telephone calls from

pay telephones along the way but an exhaustive search of

countless telephone records, numbers and subscribers

produced nothing (e.g. HQ. 44-38861-3857). Lastly, Stein

explained that Galt conditioned the ride to New Orleans

on Charles Stein, Rita Stein and Marie Martin joining

George Wallace's American Independent Party. Each joined

but again the ensuing investigation of this lead learned

nothing (HQ 44-38861-1003) .

(5) Atlanta. On April 11, 1968, a citizen call came

through to the Atlanta Police Department reporting the missing

white Mustang. According to this caller and another person,

both interviewed by the FBI, the abandoned Mustang was parked

shortly before 9:00 a.m. April 5, 1968, by a lone man matching

Galt's description. The discovery of Galt's Mustang Immediately

caused agents to seek out any additional contacts by Galt in

Atlanta (HQ 44-38861-989).

Because Galt was believed to use low cost rooming houses

all such establishments were contacted for any sign of him.

Success was found at Jirmie Dalton Gardner's Rooming House

where Galt registered March 24, 1968. Although Galt was

nowhere to be found, he had left evidence behind. Found

:

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in his room were a booklet, "Your Opportunities in Lock-

smithing" and a collection of maps. One of these maps

was of the city of Atlanta with the residence of Martin

Luther King, JI., and the headquarters of SCLC circled

(HQ 44-38861-967) .

Other evidence of Galt's presence in Atlanta was

received from the Piedmont Laundry where records showed

he picked up Laundry April 5, 1968 (HQ, 44-38861-3627).

(6) Galt Identified as James Earl Ray. Knowing that

Galt returned to Atlanta after the assassination all con-

ceivable modes of transportation in, around and out of

Atlanta were checked (HQ 44-38861-907). However, Galt's

trail was cold; there was no evidence as to where he fled

fran Atlanta.

The Bureau became worried because with each passing

hour Galt's chances of avoiding capture became better and

better. Therefore, the investigative emphasis shifted from

following Galt's trail to identifying Galt. In an effort

to accomplish this the Bureau initiated a comparative search

of three identical latent fingerprints believed to be Galt's

(one fingerprint was recovered from the rifle; a second from

the binoculars; and a third from the map of Atlanta found

in Galt's room) against fingerprints of white male fugitives.

To be sure, the limitation to fugitives was purely speculative.

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However, the speculation paid off when on April 19, 1968,

James Earl Ray's fingerprint card compared identically

(HQ. 44-38861-1575) .

With the discovery that Eric Starvo Galt was James

Earl Ray, the investigation was redirected to a search

of Ray's whereabouts since the time of his April 23, 1967,

escape from Missouri State Prison. Through the months of

April and May the Ray-Galt steps were traced. Eventually,

the Bureau was able to account for Ray's whereabouts almost

continuously since his escape. Nevertheless, his trail

remained cold beyond Atlanta. on April 5, 1968 (HQ 44-38861-

3509; and see Chronology infra).

In connection with their search, Ray's family was

identified, located, physically surveilled and periodically

interviewed for information (E.G., HQ 44-38861-3987). Also,

prison irmates and associates were queried (e.g. HQ 44-38861-

3502) as well as his military record perused (HQ 44-38861-1616) .

But, no clues developed. Ray's family said they knew nothing;

they had not heard fran nor been in contact with James and did

not know of his whereabouts (Chicago 44-1114-27). Prison

irmates and associates told tales of bounties offered for

the death of Dr. King but exhaustive investigations could not

substantiate their claims (e.g., HQ 44-38861-3767).

Frustrated, the Director prepared a memorandum for the

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Attorney General dated May 13, 1968 in which he explains

that extensive investigation has not resulted in any new

developments beyond Atlanta, April 5. Therefore, the

Director requested authorization for telephone and micro-

phone surveillance on Ray family members. The request,

however, was never acted upon (HQ 44-38861-3509).

(7) Passport Search. From an interview with a fomer

cellmate of Ray's at Missouri State Prison it was learned

that Ray appreciated the ease with which a person living

in Canada could obtain a false passport (HQ 44-38861-3889) .

Though it is not clear that the cellmate's comments pre-

cipitated a search of Canadian passports issued since Ray's

April 23, 1967 escape, it is known that on the request of

the FBI Legat in Canada such a search was conducted by the

Royal Canadian Mounted Police. A passport search was also

conducted in Mexico and the United States (HQ 44-38861-4445) •

Though the search went through a staggering number

of applications and was based on the comparison of Ray's

photograph to those submitted with the application, it proved

to be the necessary break in picking up Ray's trail. At

9:30 p.m. June 1, 1968, The Legal attache, Ottawa,

Canada, called the Bureau to advise that after reviewing

some 175,000 applications the RCMP located a passport issued

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-

April 24, 1968 under the name Ramon George Sneyd which .

contained a photograph very definitely similar to Ray

(HQ 44-38861-4190) .

The passport was filed by the Kernedy Travel

Agency in Toronto, Canada. Incident to their investi-

gation, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police contacted the

travel agency and obtained a hand printed note from Sneyd

concerning his application. The note together with the

passport photo and a latent palm print were forwarded to

the Bureau for laboratory examination which concluded that

Ray and Sneyd were the same person (HQ 44-38861-4262, 4263).

(8) Ray Apprehended. The Kennedy Travel. Agency also

provided information that Sneyd purchased a round trip air

ticket from Toronto to London departing May 6 and returning

May 21, 1968. But New Scotland Yard determined that Sneyd

turned in the return portion of the fare and received a

May 7, 1968 ticket to Lisbon, Portugal plus a $14.60 voucher

(HQ 44-38361-4319).

Inmigration authorities in Lisbon were imnediately

contacted. It was learned that Ray had entered Lisbon

May 7 but had exited for London May 17, 1968 (HQ 44-38861-

4725).

Stops were issued by New Scotland Yard for Sneyd. At

11:15 a.m., June 8, 1968, Ray was apprehended by officers of

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New Scotland Yard while he was passing through British

imigration offices in the London Airport. At the time

he was planning a flight to Brussels, Belgium (HQ 44-38861~

4616).

2. Alleged Conspiracies

Literally scores of alleged conspiracies were

coumnicated to the Bureau. From the date of the assas-

sination in April, 1968, even up to this date, the FBI

has been approached by numerous persons with stories

which purport to identify a conspiracy to kill King.

These stories involved the widest range of perpetrators

and participants as well às motives. To the extent

that these leads were pursued, the Bureau was put in

the rather difficult position of conducting an investi-

gation which ranged far beyond the concrete evidence

that had already been obtained. When the leads were

in fact bogus ones, the FBI was attempting to prove a

negative in each reported case. With a controversial

figure,

such as Dr. King, the possibilities of conspiracy

were numerous. Consequently, the Bureau's credibility

would necessarily be strained, given its past relation-

ship with the civil rights leader, unless each story was

disproved. Yet the Bureau attempted to cover each lead.

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As previously stated, each SAC was held personally

responsible for an expedited and thorough review.

Based on our review of the files, the task force

is satisfied that the FBI did a credible and thorough

job in attempting to identify any possible conspiracy

or persons who could have been involved in the murder.

In each of the allegations received, the Bureau immediately

interviewed the person who was the source of the allegation

where this was possible (i.e. where the source was not

anonymous). In situations where the complaint was not an

obvious hoax the Bureau then attempted immediately to

identify the alleged participants and interview them.

Where there was not a satisfactory explanation to dispel

the allegation concerning such matters as whereabouts or

associations, the Bureau then would check further. This

does not mean that every allegation was pursued to the

ultimate degree. Judgment based on experience dictated

many of the decisions.

These judgments were also tempered by a critical

factor. Within fifteen days after the murder, the FBI

was convinced that Galt and Ray were the same person,

that this individual purchased the rifle, rented the

room across fron the Lorraine Motel, and fired the shot

that killed Dr. King. While there were many other people

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who were antagonistic toward Dr. King and many who

had apparently discussed killing him, any successful

conspiracy would have to have involved Ray based on the

evidence at hand. In all the years following the assas-

sination, the investigation has failed to reveal any

cormection between any alleged conspirator(s) and James

Earl Ray including those alleged by Ray himself. Indeed,

the overwhelming evidence indicates that Ray was almost

totally alone during the year after his escape fron the

Missouri State Prison.

We have not addressed here the Bureau's handling of

particular conspiracy leads because of the large number of

allegations involved. Bureau filés can be checked for each

reported lead and the resulting investigation on that lead

traced to its conclusion.

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C. The Story of James Earl Ray

1. Chronology of Ray's Activities On and

After April 23, 1967

On Sunday, the 23rd of April 1967, after he had

served seven years of a twenty year sentence for armed

robbery in the Missouri State Penitentiary at Jefferson

City, James Earl Ray escaped. When a truck appeared at

the prison bakery where Ray worked, a bread box was

carried onto the truck to be delivered to a nearby prison

farm. Ray had concealed himself inside the bread box,

and later fled from the prison truck at a stop prior to its

reaching the Renz prison farm. (3503; Huie, pp. 24-27.) =/

Ray allegedly headed first toward Kansas City

(Huie, p.27). On the third day he burglarized a

trailer sitting by the Missouri River taking a blanket

and food (Huie, p.27). For the next three nights he made

his way along the railroad in the direction of Kansas City

April 23, 1967

April 24-28

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to a city large enough so he would not be noticed and

took a train to St. Louis. He then took a taxicab to

East St. Louis, called a friend who drove him to Edwards-

ville whence he caught a bus for Chicago (Huie, p.28).

On May 3rd, Ray secured work for the next eight

weeks as a dishwasher and cook's helper at the Indian

Trail Restaurant in Winnetka, Illinois, and resided at

2731 North Sheffield in Chicago under the name John L.

Rayns. He purchased a 1959 Chrysler automobile from

a private owner on June 5th for $200 (5448). On

June 9th, he failed a driver's test, but passed the

test on June 12th (5394). Ray moved from his

Sheffield address to 1648 Lunt Street on June 17th

where he paid one week's rent (5118). Ray was issued

a driver's permit in the name of John L. Rayns for the

State of Illinois on June 21st (5394). During the week

of June 19th Ray left his job, and requested that his

final paycheck be forwarded to the Lunt Street address,

which it was (5118).

Thereafter, on July 14, Ray purchased a 1962

Plymouth automobile from a commercial dealer in East

St. Louis, Illinois, and transferred the licensed

plates from the Chrysler to the Plymouth (5413; Huie,

p.39). Leaving East St. Louis on July 15, Ray proceeded

May 3

June 5

June 9

June 12

June 17

June 21

July 14

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to Montreal, Canada, via Indianapolis, Detroit and

Windsor (Huie, p.40). His prime objective was

allegedly to secure a Canadian passport (idem p.41) .

As John L. Rayns, he registered for an overnight

stay at the Bourgard Motel in Dorion, just west of

Montreal (idem, p.43; 5437x).

Next, Ray first used the alias Eric S. Galt

when he signed a six month lease for an apartment

in the Harkay Apartments, 2589 Notre Dame East, in

Montreal (2192; Huie, p.43). Ray then allegedly

held up a food store stealing $1700 (Huie, p.47).

The following day he spent $300 for new clothes at the

Tip Top Tailors, 488 St. Catherine West, had his hair

cut and a manicure at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel (Huie,

p.48). He also ordered on July 21st a $75 tailor-made

suit at the English and Scotch Woolen Company (4692).

(A month and a half later, by a letter from Birmingham

dated September 6, 1967, this tailoring company was

instructed by Ray to send the finished garment to him

at his then Birmingham address.) Three days later Ray

ordered three sex books from Futura Books, Inc., in

Inglewood, California, (2192), and on July 28th, he

enrolled in a correspondence course at the Locksmithing

Institute, Little Falls, New Jersey (2068). Both matters

were paid by Canadian money orders.

July 15

July 19

July 24

July 28

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•

Ray vacationed, beginning July 30th, at the

July 30-

August 5

Gray Rocks Inn on Lake Ouirmet in the Laurentian

Mountains seeking, according to Ray, contact with

a respectable woman to vouch for him on a passport

application. He was "picked up" by a female Canadian

Government employee and her girlfriend and spent the •

next few days with them before leaving on August 7th;

The two women followed, stayed overnight with Ray in

August 7

Montreal on August 7th, and then returned to their

residences in Ottawa (Huie, pp. 51-53; 5402). On

August 9th, he purchased by money order a formula for

making glass for a two-way mirror (2192). Then, on

August 9

August 19

August 19th, Ray visited the government employee in

Ottawa, but did not importune her to assist him on his

passport application (Huie, p.54).

During the approximately two and one-half

"Raoul"

contact

months of Ray's stay in Canada he relates meeting an

dates July 18-

underworld character named "Raoul"'. After negotiations, 'Aug. 18

Aug. 8 & through

Ray stated to author Huje, that he engaged in smuggling

operations with "Raoul" and then proceeded to Birmingham

to meet "Raoul" at the latter's direction. Meanwhile,

Aug. 18-20

he stayed at the Town and Country, Motel, Ottawa, from

August 18th to August 20th (5502). Whatever may be

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the truth of the story, Ray left Montreal, met his

brother at Northbrooke, Illinois, gave his Plymouth

car to his brother Jerry Ryan, (5413), proceeded

from Northbrooke or Chicago to Birmingham, stayed

August 26th at the Granada Hotel, 2230 Fourth

Avenue as John I. Rayns (5400; Huie, p.61), and that

same day also took a room in the name Eric S. Galt

at the Economy Rooms, 2608 Highland Avenue. (2324).

Two days later Ray, as Galt, giving the Highland

Avenue address, rented safety deposit box No. 5517

at the Main Office, Birmingham Trust National Bank

(2323; Huie, p.62). The access record on this.

box shows entries at 2:32p.m. on August 28; from

1:52p.m. to 1:56p.m. on September 5; from 11:05

to 11:08a.m. on September 21; and from 10:16a.m.

to 10:19a.m. on September 28 (2323).

The purchase of a white 1966 Ford Mustang was

accomplished at the end of August by answering a

newspaper ad on the 29th of August and paying $1995 in

cash to William D. Paisley on the 30th (628). All

this checks with the car purchase chronology Ray

himself admitted to author William Bradford Huie

(Huie, pp. 61-63; Ray's self-serving attribution of

"Raoul" as the one who directed him to buy the car

and who supplied the cash is uncorroborated).

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August 26

August 28

August 29-30

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--

Ray as Eric Starvo Calt, applied for and was

issued Alabama driver's license No.2848947 (4143).

The signature matches the other handwritings of the

same name (4143). At some point during his stay in

Birmingham, Ray purchased a .38 revolver which was

found on his person on his arrest in Heathrow Airport,

London, England (1422).

On September 12th, Ray enrolled for 5 weekly

dance classes at the Continental Dance Club Studios

(2324). The Modern Photographic Book Publishing

Co. Inc., of New York City received a coupon order

from Eric S. Galt for a photo book (633) and a letter

by Ray as Calt written September 26, asking that the

book not be sent as he was moving and would give the

changed address later (4143). The handwriting was

identical with Ray's (4143).

Ray purchased a bank draft from the Exchange

Security Bank, 5 points' South Branch, Birmingham

payable to the Superior Bulk Film Co. of Chicago and

this accompanied an order on that company for a Kodak

Super 8 movie camera, a projector, a splicer and a 20

foot remote control cable; price $337.24 (1135). Then

Ray typed a note to the film company seven days

September 6

September 12

September 26

September 28

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later in which he acknowledged receipt of the items

he had ordered but returned the movie camera as the

wrong one; he stated he was leaving for Mexico on

October 7, and would send a new address to which

•the correct movie camera could be forwarded (4143).

On September 30th, Ray paid only for his room. (2118).

Ray, as Galt, was issued Alabama license tags

October 6

No. 1-38993 for 1968. He left Birmingham for Mexico

on Ostober 6 (Huie, p. 66). On the 8th of October,

Ray purchased a 30 day Mexican auto insurance policy

October 8

October 10

(1904). He reached Acapulco on October 10th, proceeded October 15

to Guadalajara on October 15th and left there on

the 18th for Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico,

October 18

•arriving in Puerto Vallarta on the 19th (5496). He

October 19

registered in Room 212 of the Hotel Rio at Morelos 86

on this date; his "Galt" signature and writings match

October 22

his other Calt writings (4143). Calt typed a letter

to the. film company to ask for a refund to the Puerto

Vallarta address in lieu of the Kodak movie camera

which had been mailed meanwhile to his vacated

Birmingham address (4143). Again the written signature

on this note matched the string of "Calt"' signatures.

(4143). For some reason (Huie says Ray said he wanted

November 6-13

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a week in a more expensive room in a hotel on the

beach.) (Huie, p.81), Ray switched hotels, going

from the Rio to the Hotel Tropicana (1219). He

spent most of his time in the period from October

19 to November 13, 1967, with a girlfriend, Irma

Morales, whose true name is Manuela Aguirre Medrano

(1219), and possibly another female named Nina

(Huie, p.8).

Ray left Puerto Vallarta and drove to Los

November 14

Angeles where he rented an apartment at 1535 North

Serrano Avenue on the 19th of November. (668; Huie,

p.85). He then wrote a typed letter to the Superior

November 19

Bulk Film Company, Chicago, to forward to his new

address the refund due him for the undelivered Kodak

movie camera; the signature on this letter matches

the other "Galt"' signatures. (4143).

In this second week of his stay in Los Angeles, November 27

Ray began a series of six visits to a clinical

December 14

psychologist, Dr. Mark O. Freeman, in hopes of

November 27

overcoming his shyness, gaining social confidence,

November 30

learning self-hypnosis to gain relaxation, sleep and

December 4,

6, 11, & 14

remember things better.

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Apparently, in a further self-improvement step,

Ray enrolled in a course of dancing instructions with

• December 5

the owner of the National Dance Studio, 2026 Pacific

Avenue, Long Beach, Califomia (4143). On December

13th, Ray wrote his Birningham bank to close his

safety deposit box (2323). He paid $100 on the

December 13

December 14

dancing lesson contract on the 14th of December, left

laundry at the Avalon Cleaners & Laundry, Inc.,

5662, Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, on the following

December 15

day-ticket io.31053 and laundry mark "20R-3" made

by a Thermo Seal marking machine (4143); and also

on December 15th Ray, as Galt still, began a round

trip drive with Charles J. Stein, 5666 Franklin

Avenue, Los Angeles, to New Orleans in Ray's white

Mustang to pick up Stein's sister's two small children

(4143). Stein and Ray arrived in New Orleans on the December 17

17th, the latter registering at the Provincial Hotel,

1024 Chartes Street, Room 126 (5399). The "Galt"

registration card signature matched the string of

such signatures in Ray's odyssey and he further

recorded that he was driving a Mustang with Alabama

license No.1-38993 and gave his address as 2608

Highland Avenue, Birmingham (4143) •

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Ray checked out before the 1:00p.m. checkout

time on the 19th and, with the two children and

Charles Stein, made the return trip to Los Angeles

arriving by the 21st of December when he took the

first of the series of dancing lessons he had

signed up for. The next day he picked up his

laundry. Four more dancing lessons are recorded

next (4143).

On December 28, 1967, Ray first indicated

his interest in immigrating to Africa, and more

particula:ly to a white ruled area, by writing a

letter of inquiry to Mr. John Acord, Chairman,

American-Southern African Council, 800 Fourth St.,

S.W., Washington, D.G.; the signature of Galt

matched up with the other Galt writings. (4143).

Ray said he visited Las Vegas on New Year's

Day. (Huie, p.96). Dance lessons are documented

on the 2nd and 3rd days of 1968 (2325). Calt

bought Bank of America money order No. 0799 18037

in the amount of $15 from the Hollywood Western

Branch payable to the Locksmithing Institute (2325).

The FBI lab made the usual writing match up on the

signature (4143). Meanwhile Ray showed up regularly

for dance lessons (2325). On January 19th Ray signed

December 19

December 21

December 22

December 25,

26,27828

1968

January 1,283

January 8

January 9,11,15,

16&18

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up for a bartending course at the Intemational School

of Bartending 2125 Sunset Boulevard (2325); his

application signature fits his other Galt signatures

(4143). He left his laundry at the Home Service

Laundry and Dry Cleaning Co. at 5280 Hollywood Boulevard

(2325, cites laundry list No. 3065 in E. Galt's name

with Thermo Seal sticker 02B-6, the marking on the

T-shirt and shorts in the bag abandoned at the front

door of Canipe's Amusement Co, in Memphis, April 4,

1968).

On January 21, 1968, Ray changed his lodgings

to Room 403 of the St. Francis Hotel, 5533 Hollywood

Boulevard (2325). On the 22nd and on the 23rd, 25th,

29th, 30th, 31st, February 1, 5, 6, 8 and 12, Ray

regularly attended dance lessons (2325). He attended

bartending school through to March 2, 1968. He bought

two Bank of America money orders on the 29th of January,

one to place an ad in the Free Press soliciting a

female pen pal and the second to pay for a mail

forwarding service (1500). Each transaction created

a handwriting match as did a Bank of America money order

No. 0799 17281 payable to the Locksmithing Institute,

Little Falls, New Jersey (2325).

January 29

January 31

1.:

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Ray's 1966 white Mustang with Alabama license

10. 1-38993 registered in Alabama under the alias

Galt was serviced on the 13th at a Chevron Station,

1506 North Normandic Avenue, Los Angeles with mileage

at 34,185. Another undated servicing some 200 miles

later occurred at Cort Fox Ford Co., 4531 Hollywood

Boulevard in Los Angeles (2325).

Ray attempted to increase his social life by

writing and sending his photograph to a woman listed

by "The Local Swinger" which listing was secured for

$1.00; Ray in fact wrote 5 such letters (4143). The

Galt signature was added to the FBI's matchups and

Ray's photograph secured. For reading material,

Ray ordered books from Futura Books paying by money

order No. 0799 19430 on the 26th. (1500). The

signature matchup was made (4143). On this same day

Ray made a money order payment No. 0799 19701 to the

Locksmithing Institute (2325). He sent another,

No.0799 19704, for the 'Locksmith's Ledger" with

matching signature (2325); he sent two money orders,

Nos. 0799 19702 and 0799 19703, and a letter order to

Tiffany Enterprises, 8512 Whitworth Drive in Los Angeles,

a mail order house, for one pair of Japanese handcuffs

(1500), with signatures matchable on two of the three

documents (4143) .

February 17 •

February 26

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At intervals in his stay in Los Angeles, Ray

had plastic surgery done to change his appearance

(author Huie puts this treatment as on March 3, 7 and

11, 1968, Huie, pp. 107-8) ; he visited a psychologist-

hypnotist, Reverend Von Koss on January 4, 1968

(Huie, p.102), and allegedly some seven other

psychiatrists, hypnotists or scientologists.

According to author Huie, he frequented a bar kncwn

as the Rabbit's Foot Club and on one night became

involved in a racial argument followed by a mugging in

which he had his wallet stolen and lost his suit jacket,

car keys and driver's license (Huie, p.96-98). According

to author Huie citing Ray as his source, Ray telephoned

Alabama and had a duplicate license issued; this was

forwarded from his former Birmingham address to Califomia

and received there about March 10, 1968 (Huie, p.98).

"Galt" was graduated from the bartending school

on the 2nd of March. His picture was taken with the

school operator and Ray closed his eyes to make recogni-

tion more difficult (4143; Huie, p.104) .

A postal money order No.1,916,211, 078 was sent

to the Locksmithing Institute as a periodic payment on

the correspondence course Ray was taking (1428). The

signature matchup was made. (4143.) :

March 2

March 8

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Ray listed a change of address on March 17

with the St. Francis Hotel, giving his forwarding

address as General Delivery, Main Post Office

Atlanta, Georgia (4143). Presumably he left

Los Angeles in his white Mustang on this date,

proceeding to New Orleans where he left a box

of clothing for Marie Martin's little daughter,

Marian de Grassee, at Charles Stein's cousin

Theresa Stone's residence, 4019 Royal Street (4143;

Huie, p. 108).

From New Orleans, Ray drove to Selma, Alabama

March 22

(5502), (where Ray began to stalk De. King according

to Huie's statement of Ray's admission on this) and,

March 23

after an overnight stay there, he went on to Montgomery, March 24

to Birmingham and finally to Atlanta, Georgia (Huie, P.

112).

In Atlanta, Ray rented room io. 2 in a rooming

house at 113-14th Street, N.E. from the operator,

Jimmy Delton Garner (1033). He stayed there until

March 28 on which day, while still in Atlanta, he

purchased U.S. Postal money order No. 5,615,057,923 pay-

able to the Locksmithing Institute (1428). The Galt

signature was a matchup (4143).

March 24

March 28

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On the 29th Ray appeared at the Aeromarine Supply

Company, 5701 Airport Highway in Birmingham, Alabama,

and using the alias Harvey Lownyer purchased a Remington

•243 caliber rifle, Model 700 with a 2x-7x Redfield

telescopic sight mounted on it (432). Almost certainly

because the breech of the .243 caliber weapon was caked

with a hardened preservative (costoline) and could not

be loaded, Ray returned it the following day (not having

fired it). He explained that his "brother" didn't like

it, and exchanged the .243 rifle for a Model 760, 30-06

caliber Remington. The scope was transferred to the

latter rifle. Throughout these transactions the package

for either rifle was a Browning shotgun carton which was

large enough to hold the scope-equipped Remingtons (432).

The Atlanta rooming house operator, Jimmy Delton

Garner stated he had Ray print his name (Eric S. Galt) on

an old envelope at Garner's request so that Carner could

transfer the name properly to his official records; the.

handprinting is a matchup with other Galt-Ray printing

samples (1033).

March 29

March 30

March 31

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Using the name Eric Cale, Ray left his laundry

and dry cleaning at the Piedmont Laundry pickup

station, 1168 Peachtree, N.W. in Atlanta (4143). Two

days later, as Eric S. Galt, Ray on April 3 registered

into Room 34 at the Rebel Motor Hotel, 3466 Lamar

Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee (the distance between Atlanta

and Memphis by the most convenient route is 398 miles);

he gave 2608 Highland Avenue, Birmingham as his address

and he noted on the registration card that he was driving

a Mustang with Alabama license No. 1-38993 (4143). His

signature was a match to the other identified Galt signa-

tures (4143). On this same day, Ray purchased a safety

razor and shaving supplies at the Rexall Drug Store in

the Whitehaven suburb of Memphis (Memphis 44-1987 Sub A-

Sec. 1; Huie, p.129).

Ray left the Rebel Motel before the 1p.m.

checkout time on April 4th (4143). At some point

between 3p.m. and 3:30p.m. on the 4th, a man

generally answering Ray's description rented Room 5-B

at: 422 1/2 South Main Street, Memphis, in the name of

John Willard (idem. 33). Ray admits to having been in

the room with 'Raoul" whom he first said rented the

room using the 'Willard" alias he, Ray, supplied (Huie,

p.115). In another letter to Huie, Ray states he himself

pril 1

April 3

April 3 .

April 4.

3-3:30p.m.

4:00p.m.

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rented the room using the alias John Willard (Huie, P.

30). Ray went out to the York Arms Company Store then

located at 162 South Main Street and purchased a pair

of Businell binoculars for a total of $41.55 (4143);

Ray was identified by the salesman at York Arms and

Ray acmits to having been to the sports store and to

having made the purchase of the binoculars (Huie, p.

115). By 5p.m. at the latest, Ray had returned to

the rooming house, parked his Mistang and had taken

his zipper bag and bedspread to Room 5-B (Huie, p.115) ;

by necessary inference, because it was acnittedly

brought down from there. and dropped on the sidewalk,

the 30-06 rifle had been taken up to Room 5-B at this

time or just before Ray's trip to the York Arms Co.

Store (See Huie, p.114 and p.131; 4143) .

As detailed in the discussion of the course of

the FBI investigation ante at pp. 48-50, the assassin fled

from the coumon bathroom at the rear of the rooming

house after firing the shot that killed Dr. King. The

assassin could have cleared and undoubtedly did clear

the corridor and the stairs to the street in about 45

seconds. In another 15 seconds at the outside he could

have reached and undoubtedly did reach Ray's white

6:03:50p.m.

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Mustang after dropping Ray's bag, the rifle Ray. bought

and bearing only his fingerprints and the bedspread which

Ray acnits taking up to Room 5-B (Staff reenactment;

Huie, p.115). According to a post-conviction statement by

Ray to then Special Agent in Charge of the Memphis Field

Office, Robert Jensen, roomer Charles Stephens had a

good look at Ray in the rooming house (5622; Interview.of

Robert Jensen, July 7, 1976, App. B).

• On the street Guy Warren Canipe, Jr., in his place

of business, Canipe Amusement Co., at 424 South Main Street

heard a thud near the front door of his store, looked up

to see a white male walk rapidly past his store going

south (right to left to someone inside the store) and,,

with the two customers in his store, went to the front

door where they observed a small white car, a Mustang

6:04p..

according to the two customers, pull away going north

(left to right) from a curb side parking place just south

of Canipe's store (Memphis 44-1987 Sub A-Sec.1; cf.

Huie, p.131) .

According to Ray's anission to author fue, Ray A1968 4,

drove south into Mississippi and then turned east through

Birmingham reaching Atlanta about 6a.m. on April 5th

April 5,

1968

(Huie, p.132). He abandoned the white Mustang. On the

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## Page 267

table in the room at the Atlanta rooming couse, he lest

a letter about South Africa from the John Birch Society

in Califomia and a copy of the Free Press from Los

Angeles to divert the FBI's attention to California

while he fled to Canada (Huie, p.133). Ray picked up .

his laundry at the Piedmont Laundry pick-up station at

1168 Peachtree N.E. in Atlanta on the 5th of April (4697).

He then took a bus departing Atlanta just after noon on

the 5th and arrived in Cincinati at about 1:30a.m. on

the 6th of April. After a one hour layover which he

stated he spent in a tavern near the bus depot, Ray

continued by bus to Detroit where he arrived at about

8a.m. (Huie, p.135). He crossed by taxi into Canada

arriving in Windsor an hour or so before noon and

proceeded from there to Toronto by train arriving at

about 5:00p.m. (Huie, p.135). He rented a room at

102 Ossington Avenue without giving his name (5502;

Huie, p. 135) .

On the 8th of April Ray began the process of

securing a Canadian passport. - He picked two names,

Paul Edward Bridgman and Ramon George Sneyd, from the

announcements of births in newspapers for the year

1932 at the public library (Huie, p.137). He made an

April 5,

1968

between

9:00a.m. &

10:00a.m.

approx.

1:00p.m.

April 6,

1968

1:30a.m.

• 2:30a.m.

between 10

and 1la.m.

approx.

5p.m.

approx.

6p:m.

April 8,

1968

April 10,

1968

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application for a duplicate birth certificate in each of

these names on April 10 and on the following day had

a passport picture taken in the name of Bridgman and

then to provide a separate mailing address for the

expected replies as to Sneyd, he rented a room at

962 Dundas Street in the name of Sneyd on April 16th

(5502; Huie, p.141). On the same day he executed an

application in the nane Paul Bridgman with his, Ray's

102 Ossington Avenue address as the person to be

notified in case of emergency (Huie, p.143). The

Kennedy Travel Agency of Toronto handled the processing:

of the application for Ray (5502). On the 19th Ray

moved to the Dundas Street address (5502) •

The fingerprints of "Eric S. Galt"' were found to

be a match with those of James Earl Ray after a search

of the print file on Fugitive Felons.

According to author Huje he gleaned from Ray that:

Ray visited four bars on the List in order to watch the

IV show 'The FBI" (Huie, p.147). He found the show tuned

in at the fourth place he tried and learned that he had

made the Ten Most Wanted List with an international "look-

out'as to Ray (Huie, p.147). He checked out of the

Ossington Avenue room on the 19th (Huie, p:147).

April 11,

April 16,

April 19,

1968

April 19,

1968

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On April 24 the Canadian passport in the name of

Ramon George Sneya was issued to Ray (Huie, p.148). Ray

purchased a round trip ticket to London and departed

on May 6, 1968 (Huie, p.149). From London Ray took a

plane to Lisbon where he spent. 10 days looking for a

passage to Angola (Huie, p.150). When he was unable

to do so he returned to London after first getting his

passport replaced at the Canadian Embassy in Lisbon to

corcect the spelling of the name Sneyd (instead of Sneya)

(5502; Huie, p. 150) .

Ray returned to London and spent his time trying

to find a way to join a mercenary force (Huie, p.150).

To this end he bought a plane ticket to Brussels and was

in the process of meeting his plane at the Heathrow Airport

when he was apprehended on June 8, 1968, by detectives from

New Scotland Yard (4346,4368; Huie, p.150-151). The arrest

was made on the basis of use of a fradulent passport and

carrying a concealed weapon, i.e., the loaded 38 caliber

Japanese-make revolver found on his person at Heathrow

(4346, 4368; Huie, p.151).

This chronology has been campiled from data in FBI

reports and Ray's letters to author William Bradford Huie.

It was hoped by the task force that we would have an

April 24,

1968

May 6,

1968

May 16,

1968

May 17,

1968

June 8,

1968

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opportunisy in go over the facts wich janes Eari Ray

himself. Accordingly, after the United States Supreme

Court denied his petition for a writ of certiorari, on

December 13, 1976, a verbal request was made to Ray's

Attorney, James H. Lesar, for an opportunity to interview

Ray. Lesar stated that he was writing Ray a letter that

day and would advise him of our desire to interview him

and leave the matter up to him (Interview of James H.

Lesar, December 14, 1976, App. B). Also, the task force

sent Ray a letter on December 15, 1976, via his attorney

requesting an interview (See letter to Janes Earl Ray,

December 15, 1976, App. A, Ex.14). While no answer to

our letter was received, Ray sent the task force a copy of

a letter addressed to his attorney. Ray attached a copy

of a complaint he recently filed in a civil action and

stated in the letter to his attorney that: "I agree with

your advice opposing the interview. It would appear that

this would only be in the interest of the J.D. and their

book writing collaborators, e.g., Gerold Frank, George

McMillian, et al." (See letter to James H. Lesar, December 20,

1976, App. A, Ex.15).

Absent a statement to us from Ray, four existing Ray

explanations were compared and are here briefly noted.

•

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First, no one, other than his attoreys talked wish

Ray before the plea bargaining resulted in his conviction

of the First Degree murder of Martin Luther King, JI., and

sentencing in open court on March 10, 1969, before Judge

W. Preston Battle, Criminal Court of Shelby County,

T'ennessee (See Transcript App. A, Ex.16). At that. time,

on voir dire, Judge Battle asked Ray: "Are you pleading

guilty to Murder in the First Degree in this case because

you killed Dr. Martin Luther King under such circumstances

that would make you legally guilty of Murder in the First

Degree under the law as explained to you by your lawyers?"

Ray answered: "Yes."

Ray then acknowledged that he was pleading guilty

freely, voluntarily and understandingly. He and his

attorney, Percy Foreman, initialed the copy of these

questions and answers. Ray also signed a detailed

stipulation confessing that he fired the fatal shot (5506).

The task force observes that the only way one can

be "legally guilty" of first degree murder is when one

accomplishes, or aids or assists in the accomplishment, of

the wrongful killing of a human being with premeditation

and malice aforethought. Thus, Ray has judicially confessed

that he intended to and did kill DI. King.

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Second, Ray reiated in writing to author fuie a

story of his odyssey from Missouri State Prison to Memphis

which acknowledged that he bought the murder weapon, made

his way to Memphis, rented the room there at 422 South

Main on April 4, 1968, using the alias "John Willard,"

waited in the white Mustang, and drove "Raoul" away from

the crime scene after the murder wholly naware of the

killing of Dr. King. In this version "Raoul", or "Roual",

is the mysterious killer whom Ray thought to be an

international gun-rumer; Ray bought the murder weapon for

"Raoul" thinking it was to be displayed to prospective

Mexican buyers in Room 5-B of the "flop house"' on. South

Main Street (Huie, p. 130-131) .

Third, in a statement read on a program of Station

KMOX-TV St. Louis, Missouri, in August of 1959 by his

brother Jerry, James Earl: Ray was quoted as alleging that

he was the innocent victim, "the fall guy" of a scheme by

the FBI (Memphis 44-1987 Sub M-665). This description of

the crime contains no reference to Raoul.

Fourth, the most recent story available to the

task force is reported as the result of a four hour interview

by Wayne Chastain, Jr., for the Pacific News Service,

October 20, 1974. It is to the effect that Ray was "set up

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## Page 273

as a patsy' for "Raoul." It proceeds along the same lines

as the tale told by Ray to author Huie that there was to

be a meeting at the rooming house at 6p.m. with an

international gun runner. Ray was instructed by Raoul to

have the white Mustang at the curb for "Raoul's" use that

evening. Ray, however, drove away from the area at about

6:00p.m. to get air in a low tire and found police swarming

all over the place when he tried to return at 7:05p.m. He

could not park, was turned back by police and learned only

after driving 100 miles into Mississippi that he had been

associated with the men who killed DI: King (The Assassinations,

Dallas and Beyond, Edited by Peter Dale Scott, Paul L. Hock

and Russell Stetler, Random House, 1976, pp. 315-317).

The task force views the exculpatory content of these

varying and patently self-serving tales to be unbelievable.

The varying details are materially self-refuting. Ray first

admits full guilt. He then says he waited innocently at the

cuib and took off after the shot with "Raoul"' as a passenger.

He next says he was the catspaw of the FBI. And finally,

he and the Mustang were nöt in the area when the shot was

fired and he never saw "Raoul" after the event.

The eye witnesses to the "get away"', saw only one

man who resembled Ray. The man left in a hurry in a white

Mustang as Ray admitted doing in version number two. We

concluded Ray was lying about the existence of a "Raoul":

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Ray's stipulated judicial confession comports in

detail with the facts disclosed by the investigation and

the failure of the self-serving stories persuasively

undermines the likelihood of any conspiracy.

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2. Motive

James Earl Ray, bom 1928, was raised under

difficult circumstances. His parents were pool:, unedu-

cated and generally resided in areas surrounded by

criminal activity. Ray did not achieve a high school

education, nor did he attend any vocational institution.

After enlisting in the army in 1946, Ray did not meet the

military's standards and was discharged in 1948 for lack

of adaptability. (HQ 44-38861-3333, 3987) .

Thus, at the age of twenty-one, he had a very limited

education, was not trained or skilled at any particular job,

and was a reject of the military establishment. Thereafter,

he proceeded to participate in and be apprehended for a

number of criminal actions for which he would be incarcerated

for fourteen of the next eighteen years until his escape from

the Missouri State Penitentiary in April 1967. Ray's criminal

activities included robbery, forgery and burglary (HQ 44-38861-

4143). He was not known to have been involved in crimes where

victims or witnesses were physically harmed.

¿FBI files disclosed that James Earl Ray has an IQ of 105

(HQ 44-38861-3503).

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=

In March 1968, James Earl Ray was forty years

old and was never known to have had a serious relation-

ship with a man or woman during his adult life. Although

he was about to commit a very infamous crime of assassina-

tion, neither his childhood, his military years nor his

adult life of crime and imprisonment signaled such action.

His criminal activities were not those. of a hired or self-

accomplished premeditated murderer. Why then would James

Earl Ray murder DI. Martin Luther King, Jr.?

An analysis of Ray's prison records and interviews

with his prison inmates reveals some probative facts with

respect to a motive. For example, in 1955 Ray was incar-

cerated in the federal penitentiary at leavenworth, Kansas,

for forgery of post office money orders. On September 12,

1957, Ray was approved for the honor farm at Leavenworth,

but was never transferred there because he refused to Live

in the integrated dormitory at the famm (HQ 44-38861-1678)

Thus, he was supposedly willing to sacrifice this benefit

and its accompanying privileges to avoid association with

black prisoners.

An inmate with Ray at Missouri State Penitentiary

for approximately three years, stated that Ray hated

Negroes. He further stated that Ray had said that

all the Negro prisoners inside the penitentiary should

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 276

-92-

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## Page 277

be killed. He also responded that on several occasions

Ray had said he would kill DI. Martin Luther King, JI.,

if the price were right. In 1966, there was a riot at

the penitentiary. Three blacks were killed. The inmate

would not state whether Ray had participated in the

killings. He did say that, if Ray had not, 'he would

definitely know who had killed the prisoners. He also

said that he would not be surprised if he acted without.

being paid for the killing. It should be noted that another

prisoner who was a chef at MSP and Ray's boss for six years,

stated that this inmate was a good friend of Ray and he also

hated Negroes. (HQ 44-38861-4443) •

A second inmate with Ray at the Missouri State

Penitentiary from 1960 until 1965, claimed that he

recalls that Ray was glad when President Kennedy was killed

and stated "that is one nigger-loving S.O.B that got shot".

The prisoner also advised that Ray disliked Negroes. During

the time period when King was leading demonstrations and

marches Ray would become aggravated and yoset when reading

this information in newspapers to the point that he would

curse King and the Negroes. He further stated he had heard

prison rumors that Ray was supposed to have killed three

black prisoners at the penitentiary. Finally, he related

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## Page 278

that in 1963 Ray made the remaris that he was going to

get Martin Luther King when he got out of prison.

(HQ 44-38861-2678, 2791) .

A third inmate at MSP from 1962 until 1965,

described Ray as a "lone wolf" who never trusted

anyone. He stated that Ray was a racist and was heard

many times discussing his dislike of Negroes. Another

prisoner became acquainted with Ray in 1965 and said that

Ray cormented if he ever got out of jail he was going to

make himself a "bunch of money," and Ray further said a

"Businessmen's Association" had offered $100,000 for

killing Martin Luther King. This prisoner said that

Ray did not know what the "Businessmen's Association"

was, but he intended to find out. (HQ 44-38861-4143)

A cellmate with Ray in 1955 at Kansas City who

later served prison time with Ray at Leavenworth, Kansas,

was also incarcerated with Ray at MSP. He stated that

during the period when President Kennedy was assassinated

the movements of DI. Martin Iuther King became the topic

of conversation at the penitentiary. Many prisoners heard

that businessmen had raised a considerable amount of money,

about one million dollars, as a bounty on King's head. He

further stated that Ray mentioned a dozen times that had he

known about the bounty on John F. Kennedy's head and

had he been free he would have collected it; and, if he

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## Page 279

got out in time and King were still alive, he would get

the bounty on King (EQ 44-38861-4143). A prisoner

who was at MSP from 1958 through 1965 stated Ray did

not like ivegroes and was capable of killing DI. Martin.

Luther King, JI. (HQ 44-38861-4143).

Ray's psychological background is also a very

important avenue of review. As a result of a voluntary

psychiatric examination in 1966, Ray was described as

having a sociopathic personality, antisocial type with

anxiety and depressive features (HQ 44-38861-3505). In

1954, a prison sociologist stated that Ray's delinquencies

seem due to impulsive behavior, especially when drinking

(HQ 44-38861-3335) • These characteristics and carments

about Ray support the opinion of psychologist Dr. Mark

Freeman. While Ray was in Los Angeles he was a patient

of DI. Freeman. DI. Freeman believes that Ray was potentially

capable of assassination, was a self-motivated person who

could act alone, and likely fantasized on being someone

important.

There were two matters involving Ray and blacks

while outside prison which shed some light on whether his

hatred of blacks and need for importance and profit coula

have motivated him to murder. While in Mexico in the fall

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## Page 280

Of 1967, Ray associated with

= Mexican voman, Inma

Morales, in the City of Puerto Vallarta. Morales acmitted

spending considerable time with him and recalls an incident

that took place on Sunday, October 29th. She and Ray were

seated at a table in a bar and were drinking when four

blacks and several white persons arrived and were seated

at another table. She stated that Ray kept goading the

blacks for some reason. Thereafter, Ray left his table

to go to his car, and when he returned he asked her to

feel his pocket. Morales did and felt a pistol in his

pocket. Ray stated to Morales that he wanted to kill the

blacks. He then continued to be insulting and when the

blacks left he stated he wanted to go after them. Morales,

however, told him it was time for the police to arrive to

check the establishment and Ray stated he wanted nothing to

do with the police, thereby terminating the incident (HQ'44-

38861-2073) •

A second incident took place during Ray's stay in

Los Angeles. James E. Morrison, a bartender at the Rabbit's

Foot Club there, identified Ray as a frequent customer.

Morrison said that on one occasion Ray became engaged in a

political discussion with him regarding Robert Kennedy and

George Wallace. Ray became rather incensed and vehemently

supported Wallace. On another occasion, Ray had had a

-96-

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## Page 281

discussion with Pat Goodsell, a frequent female customer,

conceming blacks and the civil rights movement. Ray became

very involved and began dragging Goodsell towards the door

saying, "I'Il drop you off in Watts and we'll see how you

like it there"' (HQ 44-38861-3557). Ray then supposedly went

outside and had to fight two persons, one being black (Huie,

pp. 96-98) .

Thus, it seems clear that Ray openly displayed a

strong racist attitude towards blacks. While in prison,

Ray stated he would kill Dr. King if given the opportunity

and Ray was prepared to threaten of attack black persons

in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with a weapon for apparently

a racial reason. These events and occurrences leading to

the assassination of Dr. King and the assassination itself

certainly do not illustrate a single, conclusive motive.

Yet, Ray's apparent hatred for the civil rights movement,

his possible yearning for recognition, and a desire for a

potential quick profit may have, as a whole, provided

sufficient impetus for him to act, and to act alone.

3. Sources Of Funds

Shortly after the search for Ray began, it was

recognized that he had traveled extensively following his

escape from the Missouri Penitentiary. Moreover, in addition

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## Page 282

to cornal living expenses, Ray had race several sio-

stantial purchases, e.g., cars, photo equipment, dance

lessons (See, List of known expenditures, App. A, Ex. 4).

These expenditures suggested that he had financial assist-

ance and hence possible co-conspirators. Therefore, the

Bureau was particularly interested in determining his

sources of income. On April 23, 1968, the Director advised

all field divisions to consider Ray as a suspect in any

unsolved bank robberies, burglaries or armed robberies

occurring after April 23, 1967. The results were negative.

On April 29, 1968, the Director in a teletype to

all SAC's ordered that all law enforcement agencies which

maintained unidentified latent fingerprints be contacted

and requested that fingerprints of Ray be compared in order

to determine his past whereabouts and possibly establish

his source of funds. Again, negative results were obtained.

The Director, on May 14, 1968, reminded all field divisions

that Ray had spent a considerable amount of money from April

23, 1967 until April 4, 1968, and advised that a source for

these monies had not been determined. The Director ordered

that photographs of Ray be displayed to appropriate witnesses

in unsolved bank robberies and bank burglaries. These efforts

and all others to date, with one exception, have proved

fruitless.

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As a result of one of Huie's Look articles, the •

Bureau did ascertain that Ray had been employed at a

restaurant in Winnetka, Illinois, for approximately eight

weeks. As a dishwasher and cook's helper, Ray had received

checks totaling $664 from May 7, 1967 through June 25, 1967

(See, List of known income, App. A, Ex. 5). This is the

only known source of income for Ray following his prison

escape. Reports from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police

indicated no known robberies or burgläries which could be

comected with Ray, nor did Mexican authorities notify

the Bureau of any criminal activity which could be associ-

ated with Ray. The Bureau investigated the possibility

that Ray participated in a bank robbery at Alton, Illinois,

in 1967, but it was established that he was not a partici-

pant.

Ray related to author Huie that he robbed a food

store in Canada, and that an individual named "Raoul"

furnished him funds on a continuous basis for various

undertakings. These matters were actively pursued by the

Bureau but have never been corroborated by them. Nor have

they been corcoborated by private inquiries of writers and

journalists. It is the Bureau's opinion that Ray most likely

conmitted on a periodic basis several robberies or burglaries

during this period in order to support himself. Ray's criminal

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## Page 284

background does lend credence to this theory.

The task force interviewed Ray's brother, Jersy

Ray (See, Interview of Jerry Ray, December 20, 1976, App.

B). He stated that to his knowledge family members did

not provide James with any funds. Jerry admitted he met

with his brother two or three times during his employment

at the Wirnetka restaurant and advised that he, not James,

paid for their eating and drinking expenses. However,

when Jerry again saw his brother on his return from Canada

in August, 1967, James did have some money because it was

he who paid for their expenses which included a motel room.

Jerry added that James also gave him his car commenting

that he would purchase a more expensive car in Alabama.

Jerry stated he was unaware of where his brother had

obtained his money as well as the amount of money he had

at this time.

Accordingly, the sources for Ray's funds still

remain a mystery today.

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4. Family Contacts and Assistance

Our review of the files indicated that the FBI

had no hard evidence linking James Ray to any conspiracy

to kill Dr. King. Absent such evidence, the Bureau

ayparently discounted the significance of any contact

between Ray and his family. As the Chicago case agent

told us, it is not unusual for a fugitive or a person

who has committed a given crime to be in touch with

family members. While such contact may render the actions

of the family menber criminally liable, it is not generally

pursued absent some evidence of direct participation in the

crime.

However, in light of the fact that a good deal

of mystery still surrounds James Ray and the assassination,

particularly the means by which he financed his life style

and travels, we concluded that on the basis of the infor-

mation which was uncovered, the Bureau should have pursued

this line of the investigation more thoroughly.

The connection of the Ray family to the crime against

Dr. King may have been nonexistent. This does not alter the

fact, however, that the FBI discovered that the subject of

the largest manhunt in history had been aided in his fugitive

status by at least one family member. This and other facts

suggestive of family assistance became clear as the Bureau's

investigation progressed.

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•

First, john and very Ray had signisicane contacts

with James while he was in Missouri State Penitentiary

(MSP) at Jefferson City, Missouri. Jerry Ray visited

James three or four times and had borrowed money from

James on at least one occasion during his confinement

(Chicago 44-1144 Sub G-17). John Ray visited or attempted

to visit James Ray while at MSP on at least nine occasions.

The last Visit took place on April 22, 1967, the day before

Ray escaped (HQ 44-338861-4503) • The Bureau also discovered

that while in prison at MSP James Ray had a fellow inmate

send a money order to a fictitious company (Albert 3. Pepper

Stationary Co.) in St. Louis, Missouri. The money was sent

to the address of Carol Pepper (sister and business partner

of John Ray) where she resided with her husband Albert.

James Ray had told the inmate who sent the money that it was

a way of getting money out of the prison (HQ 44-38861-2614) •

Second, James Earl Ray was seen by several people in

both the St. Iouis and Chicago areas during the period

immediately after his escape. In St. Louis (where John

Ray was living) two former inmates at MSP, stated that they

had seen James Ray on separate occasions. One stated that

he had seen Ray three times between May 10 and 17, 1967 (Kansas

City, 44-760-786). The other saw Ray entering a bank with

Jimmie Owens and spoke briefly with Ray as they entered

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(HQ 44-38861-3483). In the Chicago area wnere Jerry Ray

was living, the Bureau discovered that James Ray had

purchased a car on June 5, 1967 (Chicago, 44-1114 Sub D

Ex. 85) and had worked in Winnetka, Illinois. Ray's

employers also told Bureau agents that James Ray had

received several calls. from a man claiming to be Ray's

brother immediately prior to James' departure fron his

job. They stated that these calls had a visibly disturbing

effect on James Ray (Chicago 44-1114 Sub G-37). Jerry

Raynes, father of the Ray brothers, told the FBI that he

overheard John and Jerry mention that James had been in

Chicago during the sumner of 1967 (Chicago 44-1114-508).

Third, in Califomia, the FBI discovered two facts

which pointed toward possible contact between James Ray

and his brothers. Richard Gonzales who was a fellow

student with Ray at the bartending school in Los Angeles

told Bureau agents that Ray had told him upon completion

of the course that he (Ray) was going to visit a brother

in Birminghan for two weeks (HQ 44-38861-1233). The FBI

also interviewed Marie Martin, cousin of Charles Stein.

She stated that for some time before March 17, 1968, (the

date when Ray left Los Angeles) James Ray had been stating

that he was in need of funds and was waiting for his brother

to send him some money.

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Fourth, through an informant the Bureau discovered

that Jerry Ray may not have been entirely candid with the

special agents during his several interviews. The informant

disclosed to Bureau agents on June 7, 1968, that Jerry Ray

stated he had seen his brother (James) at least once at a

pre-arranged meeting place in St. Louis shortly after his

escape. Jerry also allegedly stated to the informant that

he had recognized the photograph of Eric Starvo Galt as

being identical with his brother James prior to the time

the FBI had first contacted him in connection with the

assassination. He did not want to tell the FBI everything

he knew out of fear that James would be caught.

(HQ 44-38861-

45940)

Correspondence recovered by the Bureau indicated

that Jerry may have heard from James in Canada in June of

1968 (HQ 44-38861-4517 and 4518). James Ray was in Canada

during April and May of 1968 prior to his departure for

London on May 7, 1968. (HQ 44-38861-4595) • It is also noted

that Jerry had earlier told agents that he had reœived mail

from James, while James was in prison, at Post Office Box 22

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Wheeling, Illinois (Chicago 41-111 Suo G-26).

Finally, in November, 1968 it became clear that

James Ray had been in touch with his brother Jerry. Illinois

motor vehicle records showed that on August 25, 1967 James

Ray (using the name of John I. Rayns) transferred his 1962

Plymouth to Jerry (HQ 44-38861-5413). This was during the

period when James Ray was making his way fram Canada to

Birmingham, Alabana. It has continued to be a mystery

as to why Ray went to Alabama, how he traveled there, and

where he obtained the several thousand dollars he had when

he arrived.

Thus, at least one family member, Jerry, had lied

to the FBI and had become subject to federal criminal charges

for aiding a fugitive. He was never confronted with these

facts by the Bureau. In the task force interview of Jerry

Ray, he confirmed the fact that he had lied to the Bureau and

had seen his brother James on several occasions.I/ Jerry

denied knowing anything about James' travels or his source

of funds (Interview of Jerry Ray, December 20, 1976, App. B).

However, the task force found the credibility of Jerry's

*/ The task force attemoted to talk to James and John Ray

but an interview was refused in both instances.

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denials to be suspect. In light of this low credibility

and critical passage of time which has allowed the statute

of limitations to run, we concluded that the FBI abandoned

a significant opportunity to obtain answers from family

members concerning some of the important questions about

James Earl Ray which still remain.

D. Critical Evaluation Of The Assassination Investigation

As this report reflects, there was a wealth of

information in the files developed by the FBI murder

investigation. We have been able to dig up some additional

data. Only a small part of any of this infornation has

been made a matter of my official public record. Some of

it was embodied in the stipulation agreed to by James Earl

Ray and judicially acknowledged in open court by him (with

a stated reservation as to agreeing to the wording indicating

a lack of a conspiracy). Some emerged in Ray's post-conviction

efforts to get a new trial. A quantity of the "mofficial"

evidentiary data and a great deal of mis-information was

gleaned by the news media and by professional writers. It

is understandable therefore that many suspicions have been

generated and, because of Justice Department rules against

disclosures of raw investigative files, have gone unanswered.

First, the task force has concluded that the investi-

gation by the FBI to ascertain and capture the wurderer of

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Dr. Martin Luther King, JI., was thoroughly, honestly

and successfully conducted. We submit that the minute

details compacted in this report amply support this con-

clusion.

At the very outset of the investigation telegrams

went to all field offices of the Bureau instructing the

Special Agents in Charge to take personal supervision of

the investigation, to check out all leads in 24 hours, and

noting that they would be held personally responsible.

(HQ 44-38861-153). The files we reviewed show that this

directive was conscientiously followed. The Bureau sought

first to identify and locate the murderer using the obvious

leads. They checked out aliases, tracked the traces left

under the Galt alias, and used the known fingerprints from

the murder weapon and the contents of the blue zipper bag

• left on South Main Street to eliminate suspects. This

backtracking ended in Atlanta. At this point the Bureau

initiated a check of the crime site fingerprints against

the white male "wanted fugitive" print file. This produced

the almost "instant" discovery that the wanted man, Galt,

was James Earl Ray, an escapee from Missouri State Prison.

In fact the "instant" discovery was a tedious hand search

started in a file of some 20,000 prints. That it took only

two hours to make a match is said by the Bureau experts to

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be largely sneer luck; it couid have taken days. we

accept the explanation that the fingerprint search was a

normal next resort after normal lead procedures were

exhausted.

Second, the task force views the evidence pointing

to the guilt of James Earl Ray as the man who purchased

the murder gun and who fired the fatal shot to be conclusive.

It was possible for the task force to create a well

documented history of James Earl Ray frau the moment of

his escape to his capture in England, using the investigation

reports in the FBI files and to corroborate and fill in

essential details with Ray's own statements (admissions)

in his letters to author William Bradford Huie. From this

chronology, fron the laboratory proof, and from Ray's

judicial admissions it was concluded that he was the assassin,

and that he acted alone. We saw no credible evidence pro-

bative of the possibility that Ray and any co-conspirator

were together at the scene of the assassination. Ray's

assertions that someone else pulled the trigger are so

patently self-serving and so varied as to be wholly unbeliev-

able. They become, in fact, a part of the evidence of his

guilt by self-refutation.

Third, we found that conspiracy leads (aliunde Ray's

versions) had been conscientiously run down by the FBI even.

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though they had no possible relation to Ray's stories

or to the known facts. The results were negative.

We found no evidence of any complicity on the part

of the Memphis Police Department or of the FBI.

We acknowledge that proof of the negative, i.e.,

proof that others were not involved, is here as elusive

and difficult as it has universally been in criminal law.

But the sum of all of the evidence of Ray's guilt points

to him so exclusively that it most effectively nakes the

point that no one else was involved. Of course, someone

could conceivably have provided him with logistics, or

even paid him to coumit the crime. However, we have

found no competent evidence upon which to base such a

theory.

Fourth, it is true that the task force unearthed

some new data - data which answers some persistent questions

and which the FBI did not seek. But the Bureau concentrated

on the principal in the case and much was not considered

important to his discovery and apprehension. We find no

dishonesty in this. A lead suggesting that one or both

of James Earl Ray's brothers were in contact with him after,

and in aid of, his escape in 1967 fran the Missouri State

Prison, and before the murder of Dr. King, was not followed.

It was not unearthed until after Ray's capture in England

on June 8, 1968; it was then apparently deemed a lead made

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sterile by supervening events. By hindsight the task

force believes Jerry and Jolm Ray could have been

effectively interrogated further to learn their knowledge,

if any, of James Earl Ray's plans, his finances and whether

they helped him after King's death.

Finally, the task force observed instances of FBI

headquarter's reluctance to provide the Civil Rights

Division and the Attorney General with timely reports on

the course of the murder investigation. For examole,

early in the investigation in a reaction to a press report

of Attorney General Clark's expectation of making a progress

report to the nation, FBI Director Hoover wrote: "We are

not going to make any progress reports"' (HQ 44-38861-1061).

The Bureau files reflect a significant degree of

disdain for the supervisory responsibilities of the Attorney

Ceneral and the operating Divisions of the Department. For

example, the Attorney General authorized the institution of

prosecutive action against the suspect "Calt" (Birmingham

44-1740-1005). But then, apparently without further consul-

tation with the Attorney General or the Civil Rights

Division; the Bureau prepared and filed a criminal complaint.

The Bureau selected Birmingham as the venue in which to

file the complaint in preference to Memphis because the

Bureau "could not rely. on the U.S. Attorney at Memphis"

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and 'would lose control of the situation"' (HQ 44-38861-1555).

The Bureau scenario called for then advising the Attorney

• General "that circumstances have required the action taken"

(HQ 44-38861-1555).

We submit that in this sensitive case the Departmental

officials in Washington should have been consulted.

As another example, at the extradition stage of the

case, marked discourtesy was exhibited to the Attorney

General and to Assistant Attorney General Fred Vinson. In

a telephone discussion with the Attorney General who

complained of being "kept in the dark'', an Assistant to

the Director accused the Attorney General of falsifications

and "hung up the phone". Again, when Assistant Attorney

General Vinson was detailed to England to arrange for the

extradition of James Earl Ray, the Legal Attache was ordered

to be "diplomatic but firm with Vinson and that under no

circumstances should Vinson be allowed to push our personnel

around'' (HQ 44-38861-4447).

The task force views this lack of coordination and

cooperation as highly improper.

The Attorney General and

the Division of the Department having prosecutorial

responsibility for an offense being investigated should be

kept fully abreast of developments.

The responsible

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Division, moreover, should have sufficient control of the

Bureau's investigations to insure that the legal necessities

of pleading and proof are met.

In fairness to the Bureau it has to be observed

that it is the óbligation of. the Department to insist on

these perogatives. We do not think it effectively did so

in the King murder case.

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III. THE SECURITY INVESTIGATION

A. FBI Surveillance And Harassment Of Dr. King

1. Initiation of Technical Surveillance and

COINTELPRO Type Activities

In order to reconstruct the actions taken by

members of the FBI toward Dr. King, the task force

scrutinized the basis for the initiation by the Bureau

of any action with respect to DI. King. During the review

it was revealed that on May 22, 1961, Mr. Alex Rosen, then

Assistant Director of the General Investigative Division

(Division 6), advised Director Hoover in an information

memorandum, per his request on DI. King and four other

individuals in connection with the "Freedom Riders,"

that "King has not been investigated by the FBI" Memo

from Scatterday to Rosen, May 22, 1961, App. A, Ex. 7).

The memorandum contained few references on Dr. King. The

Director commented, with regard to the omission of a subject

matter investigation on Dr. King:

"Why not?" The substance

of the report was forwarded to Attorney General Kennedy, and

the FBI did not pursue the King matter at this time. Thus,

FBI personnel did not have nor did they assume a personal

interest in the activities of Dr. King through May, 1961.

Furthermore, in 1961, information in the Bureau files on

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De. King had only been gleaned from sporadic reports.

and this particular report to the Director was provided

by Division 6 which had responsibility for civil rights

matters.

In the beginning of 1962, the FBI started and

rapidly continued to gravitate toward Dr. King. The

sequence of events has already been reported in some

detail by the Senate Select Cormittee as well as in the

Robert Murphy Report which you received in March, 1976.

The task force in its review of pertinent documents con-

fims these reports.

In essence, the Director communicated to Attorney

General Kernedy during 1962 and 1963 a host öf memoranda

concerning the interest of the Commist Party in the

civil rights movement, and, in particular, Dr. King's

relationship with two frequently consulted advisors whom

the FBI had tabbed as members of the Cormnist Party. As

a result of the deep interest in civil rights affairs by the

Attorney General and by the Kennedy Administration, these FBI

reports had the effect of alarming Robert Kennedy and affecting

his decisions on the national level.

The net effect of the Bureau memoranda nearly

culminated in the summer of 1963 when Attorney General

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Kennedy suggested consideration of technical surveillance

on King and the SCLC (HQ 100-106670-3631). Previously,

the bulk of FBI intelligence on DI. King was secured by

technical surveillance of one of his advisors and from

informants close to his associates. However, when Attorney

General Kernedy was confronted shortly thereafter with the

Director's request for such surveillances, he reconsidered

his suggestion and denied the request (HQ 100-106670-165,

171). Attorney General Kennedy as well as several other

Department officials were sincerely concerned with King's

association with alleged commmist members since proposed

civil rights legislation was then very vulnerable to the

attack that commists were influencing the direction of the

civil rights movement. Yet, an affirmative program to

gather intelligence with King as the subject was still

considered ill-advised. However, a significant turn of

events within the circles of the FBI hierarchy would soon

reverse the Attorney General's decision, and without his

knowledge the FBI would also launch an illegal counter-

intelligence program directed to discredit and neutralize

the civil rights leader.

Director Hoover's demeanor toward Dr. King has been

well publicized and is summarized below. Certainly, as

the task force determined, this played a vital role in

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FBI affairs, as did the Director's attitude toward the

Commist Party. On August 23, 1963, then Assistant

Director. of the Domestic Intelligence Division, William

C. Sullivan, pursuant to the Director's request, presented

a seventy-page analysis of exploitation and influence by

the Commist Party on the American Negro population since

1919 (HQ 100-3-116-253X). This report and Mr. Sullivan's

synopsis showed a failure of the Communist Party in achieving

any significant inroads into the Negro population, and the

sivil rights movement. Director Hoover responded:

"This memo reminds me vividly

of those I received when Castro.

took over Cuba. You contended

then that Castro and his cohorts

were not Commists and not

influenced by Communists:. Time

alone proved you wrong. I for

one can't ignore the memos

as having only an infinitesimal

effect on the efforts to exploit the

American Negro by Commmists" (HQ 100-

3-116-253X).

The Director's comment had a resounding effect

on Mr. Sullivan. Seven days later, he replied:

"The Director is correct. We

were completely wrong about

believing the evidence was not

sufficient to determine some

years ago that Fidel Castro Was

not a commist or under commist

influence. In investigating and

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writing about commism and the

American Negro, we had better

remember this and profit by the

lesson it should teach us.

(Meno

from Sullivan to Belmont, August

30, 1963, App. A, Ex. 8).

Even more importantly, Mr. Sullivan also said

in response to the action that he now believed was

necessitated in determining commist influence in the

civil rights movement:

"Therefore, it may be unrealistic

to limit ourselves as we have been

stand up in testimony in court or

which one day could becone decisive."

(idem.)

The FBI hierarchy had no written conments on this memo-

randum either supporting or negating the Assistant Director's

proposed line of action.

Then, in September, 1963, Mr. Sullivan recoumended

"increased coverage of commist influence on the Negro"

(Memo from Baungardner to Sullivan, September 16, 1963,

App. A, Ex. 9). The Director refused and comnented:

"No I can't understand how you

can so agilely switch your think-

ing and evaluation. Just a few

weeks ago you contended that the

Commist influence in the racial

movement was ineffective and infin-

This - notwithstanding

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many menas of specific instances

of infileration. ow you want

to load the field down with more

coverage in spite of your recent

can make up your minds what the

situation really is"' (idem.)

In commenting on a cover memo to the above Sullivan

request; Director Hoover also stated, "I have certainly

been misled by previous menos which clearly showed

camunist penetration of the racial movement. The

attached is contradictory of all that. We are wasting

manpower and money investigating i effect in racial

movement if the attached is correct'' (Memo for the Director

from Tolson; September 18, 1963, App. A, Ex. 10).

By now the Domestic Intelligence Division was

feeling the full weight of the Director's dissatisfaction

with their work product. Mr. Sullivan again replied on

September 25, 1963, in a humble marner that Division 5

had failed in its interpretation of comunist infiltration

in the Negro movement (Memo from Sullivan to Belmont,

September 25, 1963, App. A, Ex. 11). The Assistant Director

asked the Director's forgiveness and requested. the oppor-

tunity to approach this grave matter in the light of the

Director's interpretation. Director Hoover sanctioned

this request but again reprimanded Mr. Sullivan for stating

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that caminist infiltration "has not reached the point

of control or domination." The Director curtly commented

that "Certainly this is not true with respect to the

King cornection" (idem). One could now foresee that

DI. King would be closely watched by FBI persornel.

In October, 1963, the Director forwarded a request

to the Attorney General for tecmical surveillance of

Dr. King's residence and the SCLC office in New York City.

This time the FBI received authorization for technical

surveillance and it was instituted almost inmediately.

In addition, the FBI had prepared a new analysis on

commist involvement in the Negro movement (Camunism

and the Negro Movement, October 16, 1963, App. A, Ex. 12) .

À cover memorandum of this analysis written by Assistant

to the Director A.H. Belmont to Associate Director Clyde

A. Tolson reads:

App. A, Ex. 13).

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To thé latter part, the Director wrote, 'We must do out

duty." Me. Belmont further said:

"Nevertheless, the memorandum is a

powerful warning against Commist

influence in the Negro movement ..."

The Director issued his feeling to this position and

added, "I am glad that you recognize at last that there

exists such influence."

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2. Predicate for the Security Investigation

The security investigation of Dr. Martin Luther King,

JI., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)

was predicated on the belief that they were under the

influence of the Conmunist: Party, United States of America

(CPUSA). The basis for this belief was that Dr. King relied

upon one particular advisor who was tabbed by the FBI as a

ranking Commist Party member (HQ 100-392452-13:3).

This characterization of the advisor was provided by

sources the Bureau considered reliable. The task force was

privy to this characterization through both our file review

and our September 2, 1976, conference with representatives

of the Bureau's Intelligence Division. For secucity

purposes the sources were not fully identified to the

task force. Therefore, the veracity of the sources and the

characterization are remaining questions.

The advisor's relationship to King and the SCLC

is amply evidenced in the files and the task force

concludes that he was a most trusted advisor. The files

are replete with instances of his counseling King and

his organization on matters pertaining to organization,

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finance, political strategy and speech writing. Some

examples follow:

The advisor organized, in King's name, a fund

raising society (HQ 100-106670-47, 48). This organization

and the SCLC were in large measure financed by concerts

arranged by this person (HQ 100-106670-30). He also

lent counsel to King and the SCLC on the tax consequences

of charitable gifts.

On political strategy, he suggested King make a

public statement calling for the appointment of a black

to the Supreme Court (HQ 100-106670-32, 33). This person

advised against accepting a movie offer from a movie

director and against approaching Attorney General Kernedy

on behalf of a labor leader (HQ 100-106670-24). In each

instance his advice was accepted.

King's speech before the AFL-CIO National Convention

in December, 1961 was written by this advisor (HQ 100-392452-

131). He also prepared King's May 1962 speech before the

United Packing House Workers Convention (HQ 100-106670-119).

In 1965 he prepared responses to press questions directed

to Dr. King from a Los Angeles radio station regarding

the Los Angeles racial riots and from the "New York Times"

regarding the Vietnam War.

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The relationship between King and his advisor,

as indicated, is clear to the task force. What is not

clear is whether this relationship ought to have been

considered either a possible national security threat of

CPUSA directed. We conclude that justification may have

existed for the opening of King's security investigation

but, its protracted continuation was unwarranted.

Our conclusion that the investigation's opening

may have been justified is primarily based on memoranda,

summarized below, written during the first six months of

1962. It is pointed out that in October, 1962 the Bureau

ordered the COMINFIL SCLC investigation (HQ 100-438794-9).

In January the Director wrote the Attorney General

and told him that one of King's advisors was a commist.

At this time he also pointed

out that the advisor wrote

King's December, 1961 AFL-CIO speech and assisted King in

SCLC matters (HQ 100-392452-131) .

In March the Attorney General was advised that a

March 3, 1962 issue of "The Nation" magazine carried an

----

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article critical of the administration's handling of

civil rights. The article was ostensibly written by

Martin Luther King but in fact the true author was

another advisor characterized by the FBI as a ranking

member of the Commist Party (HQ 100-106670-30, 31).

In May the Attorney General learned that the CPUSA

considered King and the SCLC its most important work because

the Kennedy Administration was politically dependent upon

King (HQ 100-106670-58).

Lastly, in, June, 1962 the Attorney General became

aware that King's alleged Commist advisor had recommended

the second ranking Communist to be one of King's principal

assistants (HQ 100-106670-79, 80). Later King accepted

the recommendation.

The conclusion that the investigation's continuance

was unwarranted is based on the following task force finding:

The Bureau to date has no evidence whatsoever that

DI. King was ever a commist or affiliated with the CPUSA.

This was so stated to us by representatives of the Bureau's

Intelligence Division during our September 2, 1976 conference.

This admission is supported by our perusal of files, which

included informants' memoranda and physical, microphone and

telephone surveillance memoranda, in which we found no such

indication concerning Dr. King.

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The Bureau provided us with no documentation

that the SCLC under Dr. King was anything other than a

legitimate organization devoted to the civil rights move-

ment.

The Bureau files that we examined lacked any infor-

mation that the alleged Commmists' advice was dictated by

the CPUSA or inimical to the interests of the United States.

Indeed, in early 1963 the Bureau learned through reliable

sources the principal advisor had disassociated himself

from the CPUSA. His reason was the CPUSA was not suffi-

ciently involving itself in race relations and the civil

rights movement (HQ 100-392452-195).

3. King-Hoover Dispute

The flames of Director Hoover's antipathy for

Dr. King were fanned into open hostility in late 1962 when

DI. King criticized the Bureau's performance during an

investigation of a racial disturbance in Albany, Georgia.

Efforts to interview King by the Bureau were not successful

(HQ 157-6-2-965) and the matter lay dormant for a time.

The controversy was publicly rekindled in early 1964

when the Director testified before a House appropriations

subcommittee that he believed commist influence existed

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in the Negro movement. King countered by accusing the

Director of abetting racists and right winger's (HQ, 100-3

116-1291). During Novenber of 1964, the Director told

a group of Washington women reporters that King was "the

most notorious liar in the country." A week later, Director

Hoover referred to "sexual degenerates in pressure groups"

in a speech at Loyola University (HQ 162-7827-16).

De. King and his immediate staff requested a meeting

with Director Hoover to clear up. the misunderstanding. The

meeting was held on December 1, 1964. Hoover claimed that

"he had taken the ball away from King at the beginning,"

explaining the Bureau's function and doing most of the

talking. On the other hand, King apologized for remarks

attributed to him and praised the work of the Bureau. Thus,

an uneasy truce was momentarily reached. (HQ 100-106670-563,

607.)

However, the controversy flared again when a letter

was circulated by the Southern Christian Educational Fund

(SCEF) which referred to the criticism of Dr. King by the

Director and urged the recipients of the letter to write

or wire the President to remove Hoover from office. In a

memo from Sullivan to Belmont on December 14, 1964, Sullivan

stated:

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In yien of this situation, reisn

makes it mandatory that we take eyery

prudent step that we can take to emerge

completely victoriously in this conflict,

We should not take any ineffective or

halt-way measures, nor blind ourselves

to the realities of the situation."

(HQ 100-106670-627.)

We believe the persistent controversy between Dr.

King and Director Hoover was a major factor in the Bureau's

determination to discredit Dr. King and ultimately destroy

his leadership role in the civil rights movement.

4. Techical Surveillance

Our review of FBI files and interviews with Bureau

persornel substantially confirms with a few additions the

findings which have already been reported by Mr. Murphy

and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence with respect

to the electronic surveillance of Dr. King and his associates.

We found that some microphone surveillances were

installed in New York City against Dr. King and his associates

which have not thus far been reported. These installations

were as follows:

Americana Hotel (HQ 100-106670-2224, 4048)

-/2-3/65 ( symbol)

13-3/65 ( symbol)

1/21-24/66 (no symbol)

Sheraton Atlantic (NY 100-136585 Sub-Files 7-8)

12/10-11/65 (symbol)

New York Hilton (NY 100-136585 Sub Files I1-12

10/25-27/65 (symbol)

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All of these installations with the exception of

the placement at the Americana Hotel In January, 1966

appear to have been improductive either because Dr. King

did not reside at the hotel as planned or the recordings

made did not pick up any significant information.

The installation by the New York Field Office at

the Americana Hotel on January 21, to 24, 1966, caused

some consternation within the FBI hierarchy and is

illustrative of how the Bureau apparatus could, on rare

occasion, continue to function even contrary to the wishes

of the Director. 'The installation was made at the Americana

on January 21, 1966, pursuant to the request of SAC Rooney

in New York. Assistant Director William Sullivan authorized

the coverage. Bureau files indicate that Associate

Director Clyde Tolson, upon being inforned of the coverage,

wrote back on the same day in a rather perturbed fashion to

have the microphone removed "at once." Tolson advised the

Director that "no one here" approved the coverage and that

he had again instructed Sullivan to have no microphone

installations without the Director's approval. Hoover

confirned Tolson's directive. (HQ 100-106670-22243).

No symbol number was ever attached to this coverage

as was the standard practice. This was apparently due to

the strong disapproval voiced by Headquarters. Yet, despite

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Hoover's orders, the coverage was maintained and a good

deal of intelligence on King's personal activities was

obtained and transcribed. These activities are reflected

in a six page memorandum. (HQ 100-106670-4048.)

Irrespective of the level of Bureau approval

which was required for electronic surveillance installa-

tions during the King years, our review reinforced the

conclusions of the Senate Select Comittee that the purposes

behind this intelligence gathering became twisted. Several

instances of Bureau correspondence are instructive. Section

Chief Baumgardner in recormending coverage of King in

Honolulu urged an exposure of King's "moral wealness"

so that he could be "for the security of the nation, com-

pletely discredited"' (HQ 100-106670 June File, Memo Baumgardner

to Sullivan, January 28, 1964). In a similar meno from

Sullivan to Belmont recormending coverage in Milwaukee at

the Schroeder Hotel, the expressed purpose was to gather

information on "entertairment" in which King might be engaging

similar to that "uncovered at the Willard Hotel" (HQ 100-

106670 June File, Memo Sullivan to Belmont, January 17, 1964).

Director Hoover, upon being informed of the results

of the surveillance, ordered that they all be immediately

transcribed despite Deloach's recommendation that the tran-

scribing be done later (HQ 100-106670-1024). As each of the

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file reviews has shown, portions of summaries of the

transcripts were widely disseminated among goverrmental

officials. These disseminations included a rather

comprehensive six volume transmittal by the Bureau in

June, 1968. This was at the apparent request of the

President through Special Counsel Larry Temple for all

information concemning Dr. King, including the instructions

and approval of former Attorney General Kennedy regarding

the electronic surveillance of King (Memo R. W. Smith to

William Sullivan, June 2, 1968, referring to memo DeLoach

to Tolson, May 24, 1968, setting forth the President's

request,.

Included with the transcripts were several

summaries, previously disseminated, and several hundred

pages of Bureau commimications to the White House from

1962 to 1968 regarding King and his associates. The

purpose of the White House request was not stated, but it

was the most complete accumulation of transmitted informa-

tion on the electronic surveillance of King which we

encountered during our review of Bureau files. The task

force noted the timing of the alleged White House request

and subsequent transmittal particularly in light of

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.

Director Hoover's commmication to the White House on •

March 26, 1968 (included in the transmittal) which

advised that Robert Kernedy had attempted to contact

Dr. King before amouncing his candidacy for the

Presidency (HQ 100-106670-3262) .

The task force reviewed selected portions of all

of the transcripts in the King file as well as selected

portions of several tapes from which the transcripts

were obtained. An inventory of the tapes reviewed is

set forth below:

1) Washington, D.C., 1/5-6/64 (Willard Hotel,

15 reels) - Reel Nos. 1-6, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14

2) Atlanta Tape (symbol) (one reel)

3) Composite Tape 12/15/64

Track No. 1 - Washington, D.C. recordings

(edited version of 15 reels.)

Essentially, we reviewed the tapes by listening to the

beginning, middle, and end of each tape and compared it to

the corresponding transcript. They were basically accurate

transcriptions in the sense that what was in the transcripts

was also on the tapes.

However, some material on the tapes

was not put on the transcripts apparently because either

that portion of the recording was garbled or unclear or

it was considered unimportant.

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Our review of the composite tape, the Atlanta

tape and the agents handwritten notes inclured in the

box with the recordings from the Willard Hotel gave an

additional indication of where the Bureau's interest

lay with respect to Dr. King. The composite tape contained

"highlights" of the fifteen reels of tape from the Willard

Hotel and appeared to consist of little more than episodes

of private conversations and activities which the Bureau

chose to extract fron the original recordings. The

Atlanta tape was obtained from the telephone tap on the

King residence and consisted of several of Dr. King's

conversations. These included conversations of DI. King

with his wife regarding his personal life and had nothing

to do with his political or civil rights activities. The

handwritten notes from the original Willard tapes contained

notations as to what point in the tape a particular personal

activity or conversation took place.

5. COINTEL.PRO Type and Other Illegal Activities

The task force has documented an extensive program

within the FBI during the years 1964 to 1968. to discredit

Do. King. Pursuant to a Bureau meeting on December 23, 1963.

to plan a King strategy and the Sullivan proposal in January,

1964 to promoté a new black leader, the FBI accelerated its

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program of disseminating derogatory information, which

was heavily fraught with the Bureau's own characteriza-

tions of King, to various individuals and organizations

who were in critical positions vis-a-vis the civil rights

leader. Our review has essentially confirmed those already

performed by the Civil Rights Division and the Senate Select

Conmittee and we, therefore, do not dwell on those areas

which they have already covered. We did find, however,

additional proposed activities against Dr. King, some of

which were approved by the Director. They are instructive

not only in revealing the extent to which the Bureau was

willing to carry its efforts but also in showing the

atmosphere among some of the rank and file which this

program against King created.

In November, 1964, the Bureau discovered that

Dr. King was desirous of meeting with high British officials

while in England during King's planned trip to Europe.

Section Chief Baumgardner recommended a briefing for the

purpose of informing British officials concerning King's

purported commist affiliations and private life

(HO 100-106670-522, 523). Within three days the briefings

had been completed (HQ 100-106670-525, 534, 535).

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One particular dissemination, the contents of which

was not revealed in the files, was apparently initiated

and carried out personally by the Director. On January 22,

1965, the SAC in Atlanta advised Mr. Sullivan that,

pursuant to their electronic surveillance, the Bureau

learned that King had phoned Ralph Abernathy: and complained

that Hoover had had a meeting with a particular Atlanta

official while in Washington attending the Inauguration.

According to King, when this official returned to

Atlanta he contacted Dr. King senior and passed on a

"good deal" of information. According to Sullivan's.

memo to Belmont, Dr. King, JI., was very upset (HQ.100-

106670-768). The files did not reveal any formal proposal

for this briefing but Section Chief Baungardner later speculated

that the Atlanta official was Chief of Police Jenkins

since the Director had met with him on January 18, 1965

(HQ 100-106670-780). The files do not indicate whether

the Director suggested that the information be passed on

to DI. King's father:

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• .

In cornection with the post-assassination

efforts to declare a national holiday in memory of

Dr. King the Senate Select Committee has outlined

in its report the attempts by the Bureau to prevent

such a declaration by briefing various members of

Congress on King's background (HQ: 100-106670-3586).

We discovered that the Bureau also sent a monograph

on King to the President and the Attorney General

in 1969 for this same purpose (HQ 100-106670-3559) .

The Bureau's efforts to discredit Dr. King's

movement also included attempts to damage the

reputation of King's family and friends. The Bureau

looked very closely at Coretta King although a

security investigation was never opened. This

included scrutinizing her travels in an attempt

to uncover possible facts embarrassing to her.

These attempts also included a plan, proposed

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by Assistant to the Director Deloach and approved

by Hoover to leak infomation to the press that Coretta

King and Ralph Abernathy were deliberately plotting to

keep the assassination in the news by claiming a conspiracy

existed in order to keep monetary contributions flowing

for their benefit (11Q 44-38861-5654).

Ralph Abernathy and Andrew Young also became Bureau

targets. Shortly after the assassination the field was

instructed to report any information on possible "immoral

activities"' of King's two associates (HQ 62-108052-Urrecorded

serial, Atlanta to Director, April 29, 1968). Presumably

there were COINTELPRO type purposes behind this request.

The Atlanta Field Office in attempting to demonstrate

the initiative and imagination demanded by Headquarters.

proposed additional measures against Ralph Abernathy. The

Bureau learned that after Dr. King's death, Rev. Abernathy

may have voiced some concern over possible assassination

attempts on his own life. The Atlanta office proposed that.

the Bureau begin notifying Abernathy directly (instead of

only informing the police) of all threats against him in

order to confuse and worry him (HQ 62-108052-Unrecorded

serial, Atlanta to Director, March 28, 1969). This activity

was not approved by Headquarters.

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•

Bureau files indicate that the FBI may have also

attempted to help the executive branch in its efforts

to deal with Abernathy after King's death. In a memo

to Associate Director Tolson, Director Hoover related

a telephone conversation with former Vice President

Agnew in which Mr. Agnew expressed concern over the

"inflanmatory" statements which Abernathy had made.

The Vice President was seeking information from Hoover

which could be useful in destroying the credibility of

Rev. Abernathy. Hoover agreed to the request (HQ 100-

106670-Unrecorded serial, Hoover to Tolson, May 18, 1970).

We did not find what information, if any, was forwarded

to the Vice President.

Finally, we discovered that a series of illegal

surreptitious entries was conducted by the FBI. Some

of these entries had as one purpose, among others, the

obtaining of information about Dr. King. The FBI in

the review of its indices was unable to locate records

of any entries onto the premises of Dr. King or the SCLC.

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The agents began to retrieve information about

Dr. King during these entries through the use of photo-

graphs. In one instance a supervisor in the appropriate

field office requested authority to conduct an entry

for the express purpose of obtaining information about

Dr. King. The proposed entry was approved at Head-

quarters pursuant to a telephone call by an Inspector

and was later conducted.

On four subsequent occasions the Bureau again

conducted entries and obtained information concerning

King and the SCLC. On one such occasion a specimen of

King's handwriting was obtained. The purpose of

gathering this piece of intelligence was not revealed.

Bureau policy at the time of these entries

required the approval of such field requests by

Director Hoover or Associate Director Tolson (Memo

Director, FBI, to Attorney General, September 23, 1975).

We assume that such approval was granted. Handwritten

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notations on the field office memos indicatè that

the Bureau was advised of the entries in each case.

We also raise the issue of these illegal entries

because aside from being violative of Fourth Amendment

rights the entries ran the risk of invading a privileged

relationship.

We note in passing that the FBI continued to-

employ an informant in the SCLC despite the fact that

the informant conceded to agents that the informant had

embezzled some SCLC funds. The Bureau voiced strong .

disapproval of these activities. Yet, no legal or

disciplinary action was ever taken with respect to

the informant (HQ. 134-11126-56, 57).

• .

B. Critical Evaluation of the Security Investigation

In the area of domestic intelligence the mandate

of the FBI has been both broadly and vaguely defined.

It is stated in the Code of Fedéral Regulations as: follows:

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(The FBI shall:) carry out the Presidential

directive of September 6, 1939, as reafflamed

oy Presidential directives of January 8,, 1943,

July 24, 1950 and December 15, 1953, designating

the Federal Bureau of Investigation to take

charge of investigative work in matters relating

to espionage, sabotage, subversive activities,

and related matters (28 CFR 0.85 (a)) .

Given this charter and the history of the sometimes

overpowering influence of the views of the late Director

J. Edgar Hoover on his subordinates and on succesive

Attomeys General, it was understandable that a security

investigation should be initiated into the possible

influence of the Communist Party, U.S.A., on DI. Martin

Luther King, JI. Two of King's close advisors, at the

outset of the security matter, were reported to be

Communist Party members by sources relied upon by the

Bureau.

The security investigation continued for almost

six years until Dr. King's death. It verified, in our

view, that one alleged Communist was a very influential

advisor to Dr. King (and hence the Southern Christian

Leadership Conference) on the strategy and tactics of

King's leadership of the black civil rights movement of

the early and mid-sixties. Another had no such weight

although he seemed to be of use to king. But this

very lengthy investigative concentration on King and on

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the principal advisor established, in our opinion,

that he did not "sell" Dr. King any course of conduct

or of advocacy which can be identified as commmist or

"Party line"

• King, himself never varied publicly or

privately from his commitment to non-violence and did

not advocate the overthrow of the goverrment of the

United States by violence or subversion. To the contrary,

he advocated an end to the discrimination and disenfran-

chisement of minority groups which the Constitution and

the courts denounced in terms as strong as his. We

concluded that Dr. King was no threat to domestic security.

And the Bureau's continued intense surveillance

and investigation of the advisor clearly developed that

he had disassociated himself from the Commist Party

in 1963 because he felt it failed adequately to serve

the civil rights movement. Thus the linch-pin of the

security investigation of De. King had pulled himself

out.

We think the security investigation which included

both physical and technical surveillance, should have been

terminated on the basis of what was learned in 1963.

That it was intensified and augmented by a COINTELPRO type

campaign against Dr. King was unwarranted; the COINTELPRO

type campaign, moreover, was ultra vires and very probably

in violation of 18 U.S.C. 241 (and 242), i.e. felonious.

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The continuing security investigation reflects also

that the Attorney General and the Division charged with

responsibility for internal security matters failed badly

in what should have been firm supervision of the FBI's

internal security activities.

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IV. RECOMMENDATIONS

A. As Io The Murder Investigation

The task force does not fault the technical

competence of the investigation conducted into the

death of Dr. King. We found no new evidence which

calls for action by State or Federal Authorities.

Our concern has developed over administrative

concomitants of the crime detection tactics.

1. The progress of such sensitive cases

as the King murder investigation and the development

of legally sufficient evidence to sustain prosecution

are properly the ultimate resporisibility of the Division

of the Department having supervision of the kind of

criminal prosecution involved. The Division head should

delineate what progress reports he wishes. The Bureau

should not be permitted to manipulate its submission of

reports to serve its purposes, such as the protection

of its public relation efforts, or the prevention of the

responsible Division of the Department from causing the

Bureau to pursue a line of inquiry which the Bureau does

not approve. The Attorney General and his Assistants are

the officers most accountable to the electorate and they,

not the police agency, must maintain effective supervision.

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2. As a corollary of our espousal of tignter

Department authority over the FBI, we recommend that the

Bureau's public relations activities and press relations

be controlled by the Attorney General's Office of Public

Information. Clear directives to prevent the development

of personality cults around particular Bureau Directors

and officials should be drawn. Bureau press releases should

be cleared through the Office of Public Information.

3. The task force recommends that in sensitive

cases no criminal action be instituted by the Bureau without

the closest coordination and consultation with the supervising

Division of the Department. This supervision by the Depart-

ment should be as tight as the control and consultation the

Bureau had with its Field Offices as exhibited in our review

of the assassination investigation.

4. It was observed that almost no blacks were in

the FBI special agent's corps in the 1960's and none in

the Bureau's hierarchy. This undoubtedly had the effect

of limiting not only the outlook and understanding of the

problems of race relations, but also must have hindered the

ability of investigators to communicate fully with blacks

during the murder investigation. By way of illustration

had there been black agents in the Memphis Field Office

participating fully in the investigation of Dr. King's

murder, it is unlikely that the interviews with

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at least three black members of the Memphis Police and Fire

Department would have been overlooked. It is also very

probable that black citizen "lead" input would have been

greater.

B. As To The Security Investigation

The task force was charged to address itself

particularly to the question of whether the nature of the

relationship between the Bureau and Di. King called for

criminal prosecution, disciplinary proceedings, or other

appropriate action. Our responses follow.

1. Because the five year statute of limitations

has long since run we cannot recomend criminal prosecution

of any Bureau personnel, past or present, responsible for

the possible criminal harrassment of Dr. King. (18 U.S.C.

3282). No evidence of a continuing conspiracy was found.

2. The responsibility for initiating and prolonging

the security investigation rested on the deceased Director

of the Bureau and his immediate lieutenants, some of whom

are also deceased and the remainder of whom are retired.

They are beyond the reach of disciplinary action. The few

Bureau personnel who had anything to do with the King security

investigation and who are still in active service, did not

make command decisions and merely followed orders. We do not

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think they are the proper subjects of any disciplinary

action. Some of the activities conducted, such as the

technical electronic surveillance, had the approval of

the then Attorney General. The Courts had not adequately

dealt with what authority rested in the executive branch

to initiate such surveillance in the interest of "national

security"'. We do not think the "leg men" in the Bureau

should be held to an undefined standard of behavior, much

less a standard not observed by the highest legal officer

of the goverrment.

Ine Bureau's COINIELPRO type activities, the illicit

dissemination of raw investigative data to discredit

DI. King, the efforts to intimidate him, to break up his

marriage, and the explicit and implicit efforts to black-

mail him, were not fully known to the Department, but were

none-the-less ordered and directed by Director Hoover,

Assistant to the Director DeLoach, Assistant Director

Sullivan and the Section Chief under him.

In our view their subordinates were far removed

from decision responsibility. Moreover, we think the

subordinates clearly felt that, by reason of Director

Hoover's overpowering and intimidating domination of the

Bureau, they had no choice but to 'implement the Bureau's

directions. Punitive action agäinst the very few

•

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remaining subordinate agents would seem to the task force

to be inappropriate in these circumstances and at this

very late date.

3. The Bureau's illicit surveillance produced

tapes and transcripts concerning King and many others.

These may be sought by King's heirs and representatives.

Worse still, they may be sought by members of the public

at large under the Freedon of Information Act. We

recommend that these tapes and transcripts be sealed and

sent to the National Archives and that the Congress be

asked to pass legislation denying any access to them

whatever and authorizing and directing their total

destruction along with the destruction of material in

reports and memoranda derived from then.

4. The potential for abuse by the individual

occupying the öffice of Director of the FBI has beeri

amply demonstrated by our investigation. We think it is

a responsibility of the Department in the first instance

and, secondarily, of the Congress to oversee the conduct

of the FBI (and the other police agencies of the govern-

ment). We endorse the establisiment by the Attorney

General of the Office of Professional Responsibility on

December 9, 1975, as an effective means for intra-departmental

policing of the Bureau. We also think the permanent

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Senate Select Comittee on Intelligence is an appro-

priate agency of the legislative arm to oversee the

performance of the Bureau. Both the Office of Pro-

fessional Responsibility and the Senate Select Cormittee

should be expressly designated in their respective

enabling regulations and resolutions to be a place to

which Bureau subordinates may complain, confidentially

and with impunity, of orders. which they believe to

threaten a violation of the civil rights and liberties

of citizens and inhabitants of the United States.

5. It seems to us. that the unauthorized malicious

dissemination of investigative data from FBI files should

be more than the presently prescribed misdemeanor (5 USC

552a(1) (1)). A felony penalty should be added.

Parenthetically, it should be noted here that it

should be made clear that it is improper (but not criminal)

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## Page 333

for the Bureau to by-pass the Attorney General and deal

directly with the White House.

6. The task force recomends that the FBI have no

authority to engage in COINTELPRO type activities which

involve affirmative punitive action following Star

Chamber decisions with respect to citizens or inhabitants

(See 18 U.S.C. 241 and 242). We believe that the guide

lines which the present Attorney General has established

to govern the FBI's domestic security investigations

effectively preclude these activities.

Those guidelines

moreover, appear to us to permit only strictly legal

investigative techniques to be employed in full scale

donestic security investigations. This too we endorse.

The foregoing comprises our report and recommenda-

tions. It is respectfully submitted.

The maytin Luther king, Jr.

FRED G. FOLSON

GROSS,

Aunt

Jane, t Well.

dalian ite

,IAM

January 11, 1977

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APPENDIX A

• *

/-NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 334

---

## Page 335

EXHIBIT 1

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 335

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## Page 336

не e/ke

100/

ircsiation

ellotri.

D = Tact Units

O.= Other Cars

UJ

U

• N.

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 336

Siste

8

369

CLAMOOD

СКИСТЕЯТ

-150-

---

## Page 337

EXHIBIT 2

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 337

---

## Page 338

CRIME SCENE:

& LORRAIKE

AVE.

MULBERIY

ST.

vui

Path

Hot:

PARKING

• AREA

U.S. Fixture Co.

-410-416

S. MAIN ST.

• ...

418-4201422 4225 424

NW 65360 Docid:32989802 Page 338

W7108

Fire Station

a1dl.

129 - randpo Aruesornt Co.

@ 121- Sweet and Stray 10 500019s

•822 - Culin und Co.

entrance (+89154S8)80500sdng boure.

and Floor

120-118 - J1n'e Grill

and floor area of ruonin: dour

1r0n

111-1288111 1n0 erranere

anfied

and D

15,9008

sor 3 cara bernado sara pluz sus.

O Concruso seladnes

vall

10

aNd'joluplans arco deso pbout 8:6020

and

Blow 1B1 6100 go

-15Í-

HAIN

---

## Page 339

2nd

or

3730

1a-A

74 -

410-412 - 414-416

VIS. FIXTURES CO.

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 339

M90E1

-418-420

•JINI'S

: CRILL

S. MAIN ST.

422

COLIN

and co.

NORTH ENTRANCE

(stairway) to.

ROOMING HOUSE

COMPOSITE. PHOTO of

1410-424 S. THIN ST.

422½.

YOUTH

ENTRANCE

(stairway)

to

ROOSING

HOUSE

424

AZUSESENT.

11.00.

---

## Page 340

For min

¡ SECOND ELOG

of ROOMING HOUSE

SACT

STAIRKAY TO

SECOND FLCOK,

. 6-8

6-B

3-B

-

OFFICE

1-B

PACKAGE

15 d02r.18

(FIrst Floor)

1418-420

PROVINCE EXIT 100!

422

1422½

MORTHI ENTRANCE

SOUTH ENTRAICE

(sta1rwaj)

TO KOOMING HOUSE

(stalrray)

•TO ROONING HOUSE

IS. MATTE ST.

-153-

6

424

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Pagé 340 •

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## Page 341

EXHIBIT 3

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## Page 342

•S1P6 Ai

TENNESSCE DEFERMENT OF FUELLE MEAL TI

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL

858 Madison Avenue

Hemon is. Tennessee. 38103

AUTOPSY REPORT

iNeR

CASE Ч0 i

COUNTY 5,

=.-

MIME OF DECEDENT

HOME ASDRESS

RACE _1:

suns++ 08.890688

EITY

-SEX_IL AGE 35

STATE

DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL PRIL A CORALE

AYAIENICH DIADIOSIS.

ипьіоtпа:тіT49-004I8718601IE

Fracture of mandible

Laceratin vertenrel artery: juzular rein and si

clarion arcory,

CAUSE OR ERRIN

CHOTICIC

vnncI.khariilc.sahali cord. other structures in the neck, is

¿tresslonel ine moundins rus fren front to back, above darnsari an

, Ers" PLEtE dO deClaila sererine of the suinal coral at this laval

sr: 1s all astons 499-8-490nd that kas fatal vary sharily ate- it

...

d. d

' , . .

19.1

• 88 8: ¿roride a certified opinion to the Counts Medical

.. d

Tie Sucks and findings to support these con-

•:';.a el 1r 51916 Hudical Exariner.

mei inflat!.

H.D.

?.

Francisco

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 342

-154-

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## Page 343

7

Forr. 385

THE CITY OF MEMPHIS HOSPITALS

AUTOPSY PROTOCOL

AUtOpSY NO.

465-253

service No.l. EX.

Hesplial Ne

Name Martin Luther Kinse Jr.

• Age 3? Race erresex 101?

Uninowy-Approxi..atcly

Date of Admission

Date and Hour of Death 4-4-E8

Date and Hour of Autoosy

4-4-68 16:15 P.'

Pathologist iTs Surunt and Francisco

Checked by

Assistant

Date_Completed

4-11-68

FINAL PATHOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS

PRIMARY INITS:

I. Distant gunshot wound to body and face

A.

Fracture of right mandible

B.

Lacoration of vertebral artery, jugular vein and subclavin

artery, right

C.

Fractüre or spine (Ial, C-7)

D.

Laceration of spinal cord (lover cervical, upper thoracic)

E.

subnucosal hemorrhase, larynx

F. Intrapulmonary honatona, apex right upper lobe

SECONDARY SERIES:

1.

Remote scars as described

2.

Plcural adhesions

3.

Fatty

change liver, noderate

4. Arteriosclerosis, moderate:

5. Venous cut-downs

Go Tracheostony

LABORATORY FINDINGS:

B1000. 11c0h01

- 0.01$

-155

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 343

---

## Page 344

EXHIBIT 4

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 344

---

## Page 345

Section

71

74

74

74

19

60.

17

74

19

• 74

21

6

21

21

21

5400

2324

628

2324:

2324

2324

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 345

JANES EARE WE

Some Knam Expenditures: April 23, 1967 - June 8i 1968

Serial

5246

5448

5413

5437X

2192

4692

2192

2068.

5402

2192.

Item

Rent for one wèek. at 2731

Amount

$13.61

N. Sheffield; Chicago

1959 Chrysler; Chicago

1962 Plymöuth; East St.

$200.00

$209.50

Louis

=

Bourgarde Motel; Dorion,

$17.28

Canada

Rent for Apt. at Harkey,

Apts., 2585 Notre Dane Street,

$250.00

Montreal at $75/ino; Montreal

Suit at English Scotch

$75.06

Woolen Company; Montreal

Book ordered from Futura

$9.00

Books in Inglevood, Calif.;

Montreal

Correspondence.couse at

$17.50

Locksmithing Institute in

Nev Jersey; Montreal

•Grey Rocks Inn from 7/30

$195.15

to 8/5; Canada

Formula for making glass

$1.00

purchase by money order to

E.Z. Fosmula;, Montreal

Granada Hotel; Biminghan

Roan and board for one week

1966 White Ford Mustang;

$4.50°

$22.50

$1,995.09

Birmingham

Room and board; Birminghan

Room and board; Biminghan

. Dance lessons; Bisinghen

$22.50

$22.50

$10.60

- 156-

Date

4/30/67

6/5/67

7/14/67

7/17/67

7/19/67

7/21/67

7/24/67

7/28/67

8/5/67

8/9/67

8/26/67

8/26/67

8/30/67

9/2/67

9/9/67

9/12/67

---

## Page 346

Section

21

21

9

:

Serial

2324

2324

1135

18

55

75

75

75

69

69

69

6

6

52

52

52

52

52

52

21.18

1422

5496

5496

5496

5150

5150

5150

668

668

4143

4143

4143

4143

4143

4143

NW 65360 Dockd:32989802 Page- 346-

Iten"

pricunt

Focm and board;, Bimingham $22.50

Room and board; Birmingham $22.50

Camera eguipment, Superior $337.24

Bulk Film Co.; Birmingham

Room only; Bismingham

.38 Caliber, Liberty

Chief Revolver

$17.50

$65.00

Hotel San Francisco -

10/10; Acapulco

Pancho Villa - 10/15;

$6.00

$3.20

Guadalajara

Pancho Villa - 10/18;

$3.20

Guadalajara

$91.20.

Vallarta

Elisa Arellano to rent

$48.00

apt.; Puerto Vallarta

Note 1/ ca/a P97-t0

$43.20

Vallarta

Rent at 1535 N. Serranoi. $127.50

Utilities at 1535 N.

Serrano; Los Angeles

Appointment with Dr. Mark

$10.00

$25.00

.. Freeman; Beverly Hills

Appointment with Dr. Mark

$25.00

Freeman

Appointment with Dr. Mark

$25.00

Freeman

Dance sessio de vengenes

$29.00

Appointment with Freeman

Dance lessons

$25.00

$29:00

-157-

Dase

9/16/67

9/23/67

•9/28/67

9/20/67

10/1/67

10/11/67

10/16/67

10/19/67

11/6/67

11/ 167

11/13/67,

11/19/67

11/20/67

11/27/67,

11/30/67

12/4/67

12/5/67

12/5/67

12/7/67

---

## Page 347

Section

52

22

52

74

22

22

22

22.

, 22

12

22

12

12

12

22

22

12

8

Serial

4143

4143

745.

2325

4143

5399

745

2325

2325

2325

2325

2325

1500

2325

1500

668

1500

1500

2325

2325

1428

1033

Iten

Appointment with Freeman

Dance lessons

Dance lessons

• Appointment with Freeman

Provincial Notel - 12/17-

12/19; New Orleans

Dance lessons

Locksnithing Institute;

Los Angeles

International School of

Bartending; IOs Angeles

International School of

Bartending; Los Angeles

Rent at St. Francis Hotel;

Los Angeles

Free Press of Los Angeles

Locksmithing Institute

C.M. Hedgpath, mail forward-

ing service

Rent at St. Francis Hotel

Futura Books.

Tiffany Enterprises

Locksmithing Institute

Locksmith Ledger

Locksmithing Institute

Room/weak at 113 14th St.;

Atlanta

-158-

Ancint

$25.00

$29.00

$100.00

$25.00

• $24.00

$364.00

$15.00

$20.00

$105:00

$85.00

$4.25

$7.50

$3.00

$85.00

$6.44

$9.98

$7.50

'$5.25

$15.00

$10.00

• Jaca

12/11/57

12/12/67

12/14/67

12/14/67

12/19/67

12/21/67

1/8/68

1/19/68

1/20/69

1/21/63

1/29/68

1/31/68

2/1/68

2/22/68

2/26/68

2/26/68

2/26/68

2/26/68

3/8/68

3/24/68

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 347

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## Page 348

Serial

5502

1428

5725'

432

1033

630

327.

46

4454

4454

itel

Flamingo Motel. 3/22;

Selma

Locksmithing Institute;

Atlanta

Travelodge Motel;

Birmirgham

Purchase of rifle

Birminghàm

Room in Atlanta

Rexall Drugstore; Wnitehaven,

Tenn.

Roaning house on Main St.i.

Memphis

Binoculars; Memphis

Rent/week at 962 Dundas Sti. i

Toronto

Round trip airplane ticket;

Toronto

amount

$8.00

$7.50

$8.48

$248. 59

$10.00

$1.83

$8.50

$41.55

$9.00

$345.00

Date

3/23/68

3/28/68

3/29/68,

3/29/68

3/21/68

4/3/68

4/4/68

4/4/68

4/16/68

5/2/68

..

-159-

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 348

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## Page 349

EXHIBIT 5

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 349

---

## Page 350

Section

68

JAMES EARE BEN

Known Income:

Aari: 23, 1967 - Jure 8, 1968

Serial

5100

Payroll checks from Indian Trail Restaurant

Winnetka, Illinois

May 7

May 14

May 21

$ 57.69

84.89

84.89

84.89

89.63.

89.63

95.19

77.53

$664.34

• NW 65360. Docld:32989802 Page 350

-160-

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## Page 351

EXHIBIT

6

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 351

---

## Page 352

READING BIBLIOGRAPHY

BishoP, 5, Tehe a t 0 Martin Tuther KIn, J%. G.P. Putnan's

Frank, Gerola. An American Death. Doubleday & Company, New York,

1972.

Hoch, Paul, and Scott, Peter, and Stetter, Russell. The Assassinations,

Dallas and -Beyond.. Random House, 1976.

fuze, lIm, Idford. He Blew the Dreamer: Delacorte Press;

NºM31197, George. The Making of an Assassin, Little Brown & Co.,

Seigenthaler, John. A Search for Justice. Aurora Publ.,

Nashville, 19T1.

-161-

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 352

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## Page 353

EXHIBIT 7

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 353

---

## Page 354

1 19. 10

UNITED STATES GOV

Memorandum

TO

MR. A. ROSEND

•

DATE: May 22, 1961

FROM

dickie:

У.С.₫9114237

Tele. Russ. -

Indes-

SUBJECT:

MARTIN LUTHER KING. IR.;

.

-162-

Cay"

....

NW 65360 Bocld:32989802 Pagè 354

---

## Page 355

Menorandum to Mr. Rosen

Dartin Luther King Jr.

Reverend Martin Luther King,

Jr., prominent integrationist

and "sit-in demonstra-

Advancement of Colored People and Congress of Racial Equality, King

has not been investigated by_the.fBl.

Bureau Tiles revcal:

Marting thanked Socialist Workers Party

(cited by Attorney General) for support of bus boycott; attenuca

meetings of Progressive Party (cited by Subcommittee of Senate

Judiciary Comnittce); and was honorary chairman of Young Socialist

League campaign on behalf of victims of racist terror.

King in 1950's mentioned as potential victim of assassin-

Mation ot renaly stressest miningschool

King President of

Sit me ho more detaila.

. *

• €

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 355

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## Page 356

EXHTBIT

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 356

---

## Page 357

Nichorandum t0 Mr. Rosen

Southern Christian Leadership Conference (to further Negro vote

cristration) and advised "The Civil Rights law...is mcaningless

unless we. go out and make use of it.

King thankca Benjamin

Davis,

was in a hospital following assault.

Communist Party official, for giving blood when ne

King in 1960 indicata his

support for Connittce to Secure Justice for Morton Sobell (cited

by House Conmittee on Un-American Activities (liCUA) as communist

front) and in 1961 wrote article in "The Nation" which called

for integration of FBI to help speed integration. King attended

netings with integration leaders in Montgonery, Alabama, 5-21-61.

.

3-

•-164-

.. ...

+ 0305000000

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 357**

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## Page 358

EXHIBIT 9

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 358

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## Page 359

• .:

UNTIED STATES GOVERNME •

Memorandum

Taliss

TO :

H. Belmont

DATE: August 30, 1963

FROM

'tee

ізі 353n

iciouss

Ersas

Gale .

Roser.

Sullivan =

Torel.

'Trolles.

Tele. Room.

lolmes

andy

SUBJECT:

Mr. i..

C. sullivan,

COMMUNIST PARTY,

USA

NEGRO QUESTION

IS - C

Call ei

-

Reference is made to, the enclosed material on which the

• Director has written: "This memo reminds me vividly of those I

received when Castro took over Cuba: You contended then that Castro and

his cohorts were not Communists and not Influenced by Conmunists.

Time

alone proved you wrong. I for one can't ignore the memos re King,

et al as. having only an infinitesinal

effect on the efforts to exploit

the American Negro by the Connunists."

The Director is correct.

We were completely wrong about

believing the evidence was not sufficient to determine some years ago

ithat Fidel Castro was not a conmunist or under communist influence.

On

investigating and writing about connunism and the Arerican legio, we

had better remember this and profit by the lesson it should teach us. i

I do think that much of the difficulty relating to the memorai

dun rightly questioned by the Director is to be found centerea in the

word "inflyence."

We do not have,

and no Government agency or

private

organization has, any yardstick which can accurately measure "influence"

in this particular context,

even when we know it does exist such as in

the case of the obvious influence of

over Martin Luther King and King's influence over other Negro

Leaders." Personally, I beliove in the light of King's powerful

demagogic speech yesterday he stands head and shoulders over all other

Negro leaders put together when it comes to incluencing great masses of

Negroes.

He must mark him now, if we have not done so before, as the

most dingerous Negro of the future in this Nation from the standpoint

ofcommunism, the Negro and national

-securito.

On determining membership of Negroes in the Communist Fatty,

we are. not confronted with the same problem.

He do have here accurate

yardsticks for establishing membership.

Of course, our standards are

very exacting.

This means there are many Negroes who are fellow-

travellers, sympathizers or who aid the Party, knowingly or unknowingly,

but do not quality as members.

These we must not ignore.

The öld

communist pringple still holds:

"Communism must be built with non-

communist haggs" Therefore, it nay ve unrealistic to limit oursrivas as

we have been doing to legalistic proof or definitely concuuszy?

- ..

quence

Enclosure

-165-

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 359

---

## Page 360

Memorandum for ir. Belmont

RE:

COMMUNIST PARTY, USA

NEGRO QUESTION

100-3-75

substantial

Influence over Negroes which one day could become decisive.

The memorandum which the Director penetratively questioned,

while showing in the details the communist impact on Negroes, aid

- suffer from such limitations. These limitations we will make every

effost to lift in the future.

The great amount of attention this

•Division is giving to communist activities directed toward the Negio

should enable us

to do this..

For example, here at the Seat of Government, the Negro -

communist question takes up as a whole the time of one supervisor and

during the past few weeks four men have been so occupied.

(1) specialized instructions are regularly given the lield on conmunist

infiltration of the Negro; (2) monographs have been written on the

subject and videly disseminated; (3) regularly disseminated are memoranda

and reports; (4) August 21, 1963, we devoted the entire Current Intelli~

gence Analysis to the communist plans for the Negro March of August 22,

1963, (119 copies of this. Analysis were disseminated to 44 agencies of

the Government), (5) nuch material on the issue is given to Agents at

In-Service; and (6) an SAC Letter is under preparation in this Division

now giving the field the benefit of what we learned from the Negro March

on lashington and issuing instructions for increased coverage of

communist influence on the Negro..

As the memorandum poinied out,

"this Nation is involved in a.

foxm of facial revolution and the time has never been so right for

portaion of the negroes by communist propagandists. " "Nineteen millio.

Negroes constitute the greatesi single "racial target of the Conmunist

Party, USA.

, W222

do everything possible in the

Director all available facts relating to Negro membership in the Communis:

Party, plus the more complex and difficult to ascertain influence

of communist organizations and officials over the leaders and masses oi

He regret greatly that the memorandum did not measure up to

what the Director has a right to expect from our analysis.

RECONBENDATION:

For the information of the Director.

. -166-

=2=

NW 65360* Docld:32989802 Page 360

..

---

## Page 361

ЭРРОна1 0880.469 19

1016.0n

1013-106

010. но. 19

UNITED STATES G

RNMEŸT

Memorandum

121r. M. C. Suzan

FROM : Ir. F. J. Brungardner.

BAT:: September 16, 1963

Troping

Tole. flous:

Hoir.?-

Sanly.

SUBJECT

COLLUNIST PARTY, USA.

NEGRO QUESTION

COLMUNIST. INFLUENCE IN ICIAL ILITERS

INTERNAL SECURITY - CO:DIUMIST

influence on the legre.

This acnorandun recommends increased coverage of communist

The mistory of the Communist Party, Joh

(CRUSA), 7

recruit

the resto.

To Tale years a mast toe, 0145-

influence

3-2S-63, was a

Striking

exampIt ur sudit connunist activity as Party leaders early put into

motion efforts to iccrue gains for the CPUSA fron the Knich.

documented

information concerning the Party's influence on a pricipal

arch leader, reverend hartin Iuther King, Jr., is but an example.

The preserce

at the March of around 200 Party

members, ranging fron

several national functionaries headed by CPUSA General Secretary Gus

lla11,

to nany rank-and-file members, is clear indication of the Party's

Eurosite target (the Negro) todiy.

..:

All indications are that the larch was not the

"end' of the

line" and that the Party will stop up its efforts to explit racial

unrest and

in every possible vay clain credit for itself relating

any "gains" achieved by the legro.

Party's designs is revealed in its plans to hold a highly secretive.

leadership meeting in lovember, 1963, wnich will deal primarily with

the Negro situation,

This seeting is to be preceded by alfus Haft

"barnstorming" trip

through key arens of the country to meet Panty

I people and thus batter prepare hiasoll for the November meeting:

The entire flold is being alerted to this sizuationsin a

proposed SAC Letter (attached).

Tho field is being instructed to

intensify our coverase of courunist influence on the Negro by giving

fullest consideraiion to the use or all possible investigative

technigues.

in addition, the field

is being told to intensify its

coverage of those concunist fronis through wich the

Party channcis

its influenco and to inicasily lis

livestigations of the many Party

menbers and dupes no eric in calilsies on belälf of the Party

in the liegro fi:le.

Further,

'are tiressing the uigent need for

Imaginative and satire tulie: to lo utilized through our Counter-

intolligerco triun-ten trigiod is attempt to neutralize or

disrupt the larty's actlilises in

the irgro. liold.

Necessity for

prompt handling of a11

Falter to insure timely dissoni

200-3-1201

1 - 700-76 (ern, deero Senion)

:>=. -167=

:8 DCT I6i 1963

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 361

---

## Page 362

Hemorandum to Mr. Sullivan®

RE: COMMUNIST PARTY, USA

NEGRO QUESTION

COLLUNIST INFLUINCE IN RACIAL MATTERS

[100-3-116)

The proposed SAC Letter requires key security offices

to submit to the Eureau, within 30 days, an analysis of ticir

current coverage of communist activities in the Negro fiold plus

details of their plans for Intensilcation, Also, those de

offices participating in the Counterintelligence Progiam on 2

regular basis are being required to include in their next monthly

letters due. 10-15-65 their plans to neutralize or disrupt Party

activities in the Negro field..

RECO:RIENDATION:

It approved, attached SAC Letter go forward apprising

the field as above and urging full implementation so that the

desired results may be achieved. Also attached for approval are.

_necessary hanual changes.

-168,-

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 362

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## Page 363

EXHIBIT 10

NW 65360 Docid:32989802 Page 363

---

## Page 364

Tolsen

Helaunt

Mohar

Casper

Call-shen

Corrais

li.".

9/18/63

MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR

Ji-ties.

/ Tele. Froom

Helmes.

Gandy -

While the atlached memorandum

bears the initials of Mi. Baungardner,

it was prepared from a rough-draft furnished

to him by Mi. Sullivan.

It should be understood tlat

Sullivan, Baumgarcher, Sizoo and Belmicuit

read the memorandun and agreed with it

prior to its submission.

•/i.

-2534

REG 5.

Enclosure

•

22 029 5.3:953

Clyde Tolso:

CT:LCB

LENCLOSURE

mate ston

-169-

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 364

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## Page 365

EXHIBIT 11

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 365

---

## Page 366

To:

From;

Re:

HI. A. H. Belmont

Mr. M. C. sul lyon

COMMUNIST PARTY, USA.

NEGRO QUESTION

COMTUNIST INFLUENCE IN RACIAL WATTERS

INTEIÑAL SECURITY - C

.Л. Г.

Mehr

.!r.

C..:

!!r.

C:...

Mir.

Capri!

3!r.

[y."°

Date: September 25,

196.1

Jr. Chic

Fr. Busct..

Ms.

sir. 5:0910.

V.

Tole. Ro0:..

Miss Hissee --

blisy Gsiu's...

Predication:

Reference is made to the enclosed memorandum dated 9/16/63

and to the attached proposed SAC Letter.

returning from a few days leave I have been advised of

the Diractor's continuad dissatisiaction with the manner in which

we prepared a Brief on the above-captioned matter and subsequent.

memoranda on the same subject matter:

This situation is very

disturbing to those of us in the Domestic Intelligence Division

responsible for this area of work, and ve certainly want to do

Ye absolutely will

not be stubborn about admitting any mistakes we have made or be

stiff-necked and unbending concerning our analysis of this mattei.

The Director indicated he would not approve our last SAC Leiter

until there sas a clarification and a meeting of minds relative to

the question of the extent of communist influence ovei legious and

their leaders.

In this nenorandun

I will seriously and sincerely .

try to clarify a most regretable situation.

It is prepared not on

official office memorandum but rather on plain bond believing that

this discussion need not be made a matter of official record.

в..

Common Agreement:

first, I am sure we all are in agreement.on the following

which was in both the cover memorandum and the detailed brief

attached:

(1) for the past 44 years the Communist Party, USA, has

spent enormous sums of money and ceaseless efforts to intiuence

Negroes and to make communists out of them; (2) the 19 million

Regroes in the country today constitute the greatest single racial.

target of the Conmunist Party; USA; (3) Negro leader Martin Luther

King,

does have as an extremil: important

advisor

• i (4)

1Ye

are right now in this nation engaged in a form. of social revolution

and the time has never been so right for exploitation of the

Negroes by connunist propagandists; and (5).: the Communist Party

could in the future make prodigious strides and srent successes

with

the American Negro to the

serious detriment of our national security.

In addition to the above, the material furnished cortained many pages

of specific examples of communist holicies, exonzaneand sttivities

Enclosures Seat 9-26-63

'REG.

-170-

NW 65860 Docld:32989802 Page 366

---

## Page 367

Kemorandum f0r ir. Belmont

RE:

COMMUNIST PARTY, USA

NEGRO QUESTION

COKMUNIST INFLUENCE IN RACIAL LATTERS.

showing conmunist involvement in Negro racial matters in this ration,

relative to which ve can all agico.

Essence of the Situation:

The essence of the situation seems to be this: We

presented what facts there are in our filcs in the Briei in question

and I know that the Director certainly would not mait us to do other

than this. The position taken at the tine the Brick was written vas

that, while there is communist influence being exeriod on negroes

years. Certainly this is most true with reset

The Historical Pusition: do dle

corner!!

For example, in a detailed document prepared on Communist

Party and the Negro iu 1953, we find the statement referring to "the

failure of the Communist Party to attract even a significant number

of Negroes in the United States to its number."

to be found in aù analysis in this same field prepared by the bureau

in 1956 to the effeci that communist ciforts have been "unsuccessiul

on à state or national level" in infiltrating "legitinate Negro-

Irateraal, protest and improvenent organizations," although they made

limited success in some "isolated chapters."

The Director's book,

Masters of Deceit, published in 1952, states:

"It became obvious

that, the Party, despite great efforts, had failed to win over even

a significant minority of Megroes." In 1900 the Director's statement

to the committee on the Judiciary.

United States Senate, reaus:

"It is no secret that one o1 tiù bricorest disappointments oi

conmunistic eiforts in this lintion has been their failure to lure

our Negro citizens into the Purty."

In 1362 similar public statementa

were made. On page seven of the srici submitted to the Director

under the date of August 23, 1903,

this historical position was

restated and it was said, "One of

the bitterest disappointments of

the communists has been their sinile influre to lure any significant

number of our Negro citions into the Prity." This statement was

sot forth again iu the cover sororandur which the Director narked.

The point I wish to saio hore is this: The fact that this

has beon our historical position In the Bureau for many years is no

the ovidence mounts, inturally so nucd to change our position along

asth this evidenco.

700 150

jarg

-171-

• 0.

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 367

---

## Page 368

Memorandum for Ar. Belnont

RE:

COSKUNIST PARTY, USA

NÜGKO QUESTION

COMMUNIST INFLUENCE IN RACIAL MATTERS

•.

Interpretation:

As we know, facts by themselves are not too meaningful,

for they are somewhat like stones tossed in a heap as contrasted

to the

same stones put in the form of a sound edifice.

It is

obvious to us now that re did not put the proper interpretation upon

the facts which we gave to the birecior.

Martin Luther King:

We have been aware of the communist influence for nearly

country have had subversive cornections in their backerounds and

that. Martin. Luther King, Üt., bas been doaling with

As previously

stated, we are in complete agreement with the Director that

communist influence is being exeried on hartin Luther King, Jx.,

and that King is the strongest of the Negro leaders.

stated before in a memorandum, we regard Martin Luther King to

be the most dangerous and effoctive legro leader in the country.

In addition, we know the Party 1s directing a major effort toward

strengthening its position anong the Negroes inasmuch as we have

information the Party plans. to intensify its efforts to exploit

the racial situation for the purpose of gaining lufluence amons...

the Negroes.

-172-

- gi.-

NW 65560. Docid 32589302 Page-368

554.0

.:.

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## Page 369

Memorandun Ios Mr. Belmont

RE:

COLMUNIST PARTY,

USA

NEGRO QUESTION

COLLUNIST INFLUENCE IN RACIAL MATTERS

SAC' Letter' to the Field

I would like to set lorth here briefly why I think that

the euclosed sAc Letier, wnich was, returned to us by the director,

should be sent to the field offices.

My first reason is this:

We need to renew our efforts and keep the pressure on and leave

so stone unturned to develop

in this matter

follow up this matter evermore closely with them. My second

reason way I think the sic letter shoula be sent is related

to the present changing situation inthe 'Communist Party - Negro

•relations area. During the past two weeks in particular there

have been sharp stepped-up activities on the part of communist

• officials to infiltrate and to dominate Negro developsents in

this country. further, they are meeting with successes.

This

should be no surprise to us because since the Negro rarch on

Washiaston on August 28 conunist officials have heen doing all

possible to exploit the very troubled racial

situation.

they said woeks ago, the end of the Negro march would be the

beginning of evermore systematic activities on their part to

penetrate and influence Negroes and Negro leaders.

They are

now in full force acting upon this intention of theirs expressed

weeks ago.

The field should be alerted to this fact and given

instructions to investigate exhaustively ney connunist - Negro

activities. The SAC Letter in question will be a great help

toward this end, and it should result in our developing important

• facts relating to the current changes aud pertinent activities

, going on during the past ler weeks in this entire field.

Subject of Deep Concern

• :

May I repeat that.our failure to measure up to what the

Director expected of us in the area of communist - Negro relations

.concern to us in the Domestic Intelligence

and ought to be. I want him

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Memorandum for MI. Belmont

RE:

CONLIUNIST PARTY,

US.As

NEGRO QUESTION

COMMUNIST INFLUENCE IN RACIAL MATTERS

.

to know that we will do everything that is huwanly possible to

develop all facts nationwide relative to the communist penctration

and influence over Negro leaders and ticir orgariantions.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

(1) That the Director reconsider giving approval for sending

the enclosed SAC Letter to the field.

(2) In order that other agencies and provinent bovcinment

officials will be aware of the deteruined efforts of this Communist

Party to exploit the racial situation, if the Director approves we

will prepare a concise document setting forth cicarly those atteapts

to penetrate, influence, and contin the licaro novenent. By sciting

these facts forth, succinctly and clearly, the rendei cannot neip

but be inpressed with the seriousness of tho coumunist activities.

:?...

5

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"a""

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EXHTBIT 12

(Classified)

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EXHIBIT 13

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in wiel Matters

20/27/63

FIlE

MIR. TOLSON:

Toison

Belesent

Woks

Casties

Catchen

consad -

Evans -

Losle -

OsaM

ullies

Troller

Tele. Room

Holnes.

Gandy

: The attached analysis of

Communism and the Negro Movement is

highly explosive. It can be regarded as

Ila personal attack on Martin Lutherning. "

| There is no doubt it will have a keavy®

impact on the Aitorney General and anyone

else to whom we disseminate it.

Labeled TOP SECHET. However, 'even

such a

high classification seems to be no bar

today

To a leak

and should this leak out

it will add fuel to a matter which may

already be in the cards as a political

issue during the forthcoming Presidential

campaign.

Tho wElcanium makes good reading and

llis based on information from reliable sources.

We may well be charged,

however, with

expressing opinions and conclusions, parti.

cularly with reference to some of the

statements about King.

association with king, and the fact that we

are disseminating this outside the Department.

He may resent this.

Nevertheless, the

memorandum is a rowerful warning. against

Communist, influence in the negro movement

ana ve will be carrying out our responsibiLity

by disseminating it to the people indicated

the attached memorandumsou

Paraladit

i: rams a

AHBLESUAL

adis

вор.

1866.68

1015-11

в ОСТ 2.3 1993

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EXHIBIT 14

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5

ĐEC 15 1976

Mr. Jenes Earl Ray

POSt OffICE BOY. E3

Brushy lountain Penitentiary

Petros, Tennassee 37845

Daar hI. Ray:

In Nay of 1976 the Attorney General of the Unitel

States created a task force for the purpose of reviewing

the FBI'e investigation of tha assassination of

DI. Martin luther King, JI.

The task force ls row in the process of winding up

its inquiry beiore subnitting a final report to the

Attorney General. However, we feel that out irquiry will

not ba complete unless via give you an orportunity to state

your participation, or lack of participation, in the

murder of DI. King.

Accardingly, re hereby request, througn your attornes,

Janes H. Lesar, Esquire, your consent to an interviei by

merbers of the task force. If you should agree to tali

so us, our túre schedule requires us to arrange for the

interview to take place not later than December 31, 197€.

Please let us kion immediately whether you desire

to be interviened.

Sincercly,

Fred G. Folion

Director

Martin Luther King, JX., Task Force

0c: James 1l. IBBar, Esquire

•

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EXHIBIT 15

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Brusty runtant Meriteutiary

Metros, Tennesser 37845

Hr. Janes H. Losar

Attorney at Lar

1231 fourth Street, S.".

Wash. D.C.

December 20, 1976

re: Rat v. Tenn. cr. Indictment no. 16645;

Shelby county, Icanossee. (1963)

Dear Jin:

In respect to your letter sasiao that a justice departzent attorney, MI.

Janes F. Walker, rould Ilke to interview de concernine the above indict

ment, I asree tith your advice opposing the intertier. It rould appear

that this rould only be in the interest of the J.D. and their book writist

collaborators, do5., Gorold Frans, Beorge McMilliar, st al.

If they had wanted to interview the defondant, under oath, justice had

angle opportunity in the 1974 1.C. hoaring in temphis, leanessee, through

their surrogate, . Henry Halle; and I understand no representative fros

Justice appeared as a litness at the hearing.

At the present I bellere the only body I should tostily before 15 a july.

I understand you to say justice has not read any of the tre. of prior

hearings & suits. Therefore I'll include in the ce copy of this letter

to justice a copy of a complaint that speaks to the MiX jI. matter ilth

ottached. Ex-oh, althoe I doubt 11 Justice or their publishino associates

k1l1 bo interested in the complaint contents.

cc: James F. Walker, Esq. J.D.U

Sincerely: Janes e. Ray #65477

P.0. B0x=?3

Petros, Ieun. 57345.

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SOR TUS SEE SEST OR SESS

WESTERS, DIVISION

JIMES E. RA%,

Plaintis!

vS.

TIME INC.

GEORGE liCHILLIAN

W. HENRY HAILE

MILLIAM BRATFORD HUIS

GEROLD. FRANK

HOX. ROBERT M. MCRAE

BRENDA PELLICCIOTTI

Defendants

C1+11 Act10n No. (- 76-274

s..6.ee

COMPLAINE

I. ALLEGATION OF JURISDICTION:

(a) jurisdiction o1 the parties 1a the hefêln subject natter 1s based upon

divorsity of citizenship and the amount in recovery.

Plaintift, acting pro so, 1s a citizen o1 the Stato of lennessee under "oper-

ation of Lay" In the subject mätter; defendant TIME Inc. (here-1n-after, TIME)

18 a citizez of the State of New York; dolendant George Nchillian (here-in-

after, Mcillan) 15 a citizon of the state of Massachusetta; detendant i.

'Henry Hallo (here-In-after, Hailo) 18 a citizen of the state of Tennessee;

defendant l1ll1an, Pratiord Hule (hore-in-aster, Huio) 15 a citizen os the

State of Alabana; defendant Gerold Frank (here-in-after, Frank) 18 a citizen

01 the State of New for's; defendant Hon. Robert 11. McRao (here-in-after, Judge

McRae) 1s a citizen of the State of Iennesseo; defendaat Fronda Pollicclottl

(boro-11-alter, Pollicclott1) 18 a citizen of the state of Tennessee. The

matter la controversy exceeds, exclustre os intorest and costs, the sun'of

ten thousand dollars.

(b) Jurisdiction founded ta the esteace of a federal festion and the amount

1n controversy:

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The action arisea

under the f1fth, sixth, and fourteenth, amendments to

the Untied States constitution; U.S.C. Iltle 28 § 1331 (a), as bere-1n-

after nore fully appears: The matter 12 controversy exceeds, exclusive os

Interest and costs, the sus of ten thousand dollars.

(6) Juriadiction founded on the esistance of a question arising under parti-

cular statute:

The action arises under Act 42 U.S.C.A. § 1983; U.S. G. I1tIe 28 § 1343 (4).

As here-1n-after more fully appears.

THIS IS AN ACTION IN LIBSE, & CIVIL RIGITS VIOLATIONS.

GERTERAL BACKGROUND:

On April 4th 1968, Rey. Martin Luther Kiag Jr., was shot. d k1lled;1s,

Memphis Tennessee; In May 1968 tha platatils was indicted by the shelby

county srand jury (cr. Indictment. no. 16645) for said shooting; on March

10th 1969-pla1at1ff, allegedly through coercion by his attorney, Percy

Foreman & the prosecution, entered a guilty plea to said er. Indictment; on

February Zad 1974 the U.S. Ech circult. court of apreals ordered an evident-

Lary hearing Into the circumstances of said plea, Ray to Rose 491 F2d 285

IG.A.6, 1974;. on February 27th 1975 alter hearing Bald evidentlary proceedings

the V.S. District court for the W.D. Of Tennessee, Hon. Robert 1. McRae, pre-

sidias ruled against plaintirs, Ray. 3080, C-74-166; on May 10th 1976 the

U.S. 6th circult court of appeals upheld Judge McRae's ruliag in said evi-

dentiary hearing. Ray No Rose, 6-75-1795.

:

Pla12t131, JANES E. RAT, sUES

Defendants, TIME INC.; GEORGE MCMILLIAN; ". HEURY HAILS; VILLIAM BRATZORD

HUIS; GEROLD FRANK; ROBERT N. MCRAE; BRINIDA PELLICCIOTTI, and alleges:

2. That while avalting trial in the aforementioned cr. Indictnent the plat-

t111 copled dora frou recollection Infornation he had gaised in his 1967

assoclations, assoclations which load to plaintill belng charged under

said indictuent.

3. That a brief sunnary of sald recollections and their subsequent diszosi

tion by plaintill are as follows:

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. *

lay duras one serio

on a noney recaist issued forth fron the Sheriff's office of the Shelby

county, Tennessee, Jãil Infornation waich plainties believed had a direct

bearing on said er. indictaent: See, Sx--A.

(s) the Information consisted of telephone numbers & one name &e address; all

numbers were written down backwards, Including the address..

(c) the two telephone numbers were listed next to the word "Sister", the

11rst being listed In, Mex Orleans, Louisiana; the second being in, Baton

Rouge, Loutsiana.

(d) the address 1s listed under the name, Vera C. Staples.

(a) the telephone number listed under the Baton Rouge address was furnished

to platatiff's attorney, Percy forenaz, who was representing plaintiff in

said CI. Indictsent.

(1) the address was not tavestigated uatil plaintiff was incarcerated upon

pleatng to said indictuent; a compendium of the post trial Investigation

would indicate:

the infornation cited above mas :given to a St. Louis, Miss-

our1, labor leader, and Informed It pertained to the MIK jI. Case, who app-

areatly In turn furnished sald infornation to a Nashville, Tennéssee, ex-

Attorney to Investigate;, said Attorney had sources in the State of louisiana

Investigate the natter and thereafter said Attorney reported the Baton Rouge

Ilsted number resident vas under the influence of the Teausters union; and

• the New Orleans listed number resident. was among other things án agent of

a aldeaat: organization distuzbed bécause of Dr. King's reported forthcoming,

before his death, public support of the Palestine Arab cause. (Referencés to

the address 1f any was unclear.)

(E)

the plaintiff had cone.by said name & address shortly before crossing

the border 1n November 1967 Iron Iijuana, Mescico, into the United States;

the name was Randolph Erwin Rosez, 1180, N.W. River Drive, Miant, 'Florida;

other reference was mado to a LEAA; a check through the Miani directory 1n

1970 ludicted no Rosen listed with the above first & second gane; In 1973-

74 a Chicaso, Illinois, reporter was quired as to the name of a Rosen who

was an official in the Frogressive LaboR, Party, the reporter later responded

said Rosen, or Rosens, activities were mainly in the Yex York, New York,

area; shortly thereafter said reporter was substantiated by naterial plain-

tIs received indirectiy Iron the Ron. Richard Ichord a congressuan fros

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Missouri;

tin

after an Attorney la Oklahona City,

Oklahona, was furnished

the Rosen nase and asked if he could find any infornation re the subject

• In, New Orleads, and inforaed the subject sight have a cr. record; the Att-

orney'reported back that the subject's last nade nost likely was, Rosehson,

and that he had a cr. conviction in lex Orleans, Louisiana, federal court for

a narcotics violation; thereafter a Tennessee licensed Attorney procured

the tr. of said conviction; subsequently another check was made through the,

: Miant, telephane directory which did list a "Randy Rosendon" but with an

address discrepency.

4. That plaintiff Intended the abore information for exclusire use, after

• through investigation, in a jury trial under said cI. Indictuent--rather

than for cornercialzing in the communications industry--and in consequence

withheld parts thereof fron platatifs's cr. Attorneys, who were ennested

• with defendant (novelist) Willian Bratiord Huie In coumercial publishing

ventures: ist) Attorney Arthur Banes sr., who inmediately upon entering the

: suit contracted with defendant, Huie and 2id) Attorney Percy Foreman, wiso while

not enterina into Iiterary contracts with lig. Huje until Jazuary 1969, tro

months alter Forenan's entering the suit,. Mr. Forenas did not question plain-

tIII about said Infornation or ather aspects of the cr. Indictaent--because

of his (Forenas's) adnitted trial preparation methods--uatil February 1969-

• S= That in February 1969, after Percy Foreman had entered into literary

contracts with defendant, Eule, plaintiff furnished Attorney Foreman with

the above mentioned,. Baton Rouge, phone nunder and asked him to investigate

In connection with the MLK jr, homicide. Shortly thereafter Mr. Forenan

replied in effect that 1f there were to be any telephone numbers refered

to in court he (Foreman) would furnish: then through contacts in interstate

saubliag--115- Foreman mentioned a, Mr- Meyer Lansky; as kis source.

•G. That subsequently, after the prosecution and Percy Foreman had maneuvered

Platntiff into entering a plea to said indictment, the plaintiff on March

11.th 1969 was checked Into the Tennessee State penitentiary--Nashville

• Branch--and therein all plaintift's personal property including the paper

• herein attached as EX-A; and Including incoming legal & personal Ietters

mailed to said prison; vere confiscated fron plaintifi. Iwo or three days

Later after discussing briefly with State corrections commissioner, Earry.

" Avery, the letters includine EX-A *ere returned to plaintiff by said,

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 381

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comassaloner, Har

Avery, (except for a thin line cir

the property sooned in order.

Ing sona iritinga

I6 That prior to Plaintlfl's transfer to the aforeuentioned peadtentiary,

Comaissioner Avery, the late Governor of Tennessee, Hon. Suford Ellagton,

and Gotersor Blington's administrative assistant, Mr.. Willas I. Barry,

had decided and committed to uritius (see, Avery testinony In, Ray 1B. RuSS

011, U.S. D1s. Ct. MiD. ID. CIT. Action no, 5590, 1970) Plalstiff's troat-

nent upos enterise sald penitentiary, le, arbitrary lodging 01 Platntill 1n

solftary confinesent immediately upon bis entering prisor.

8. That thereafter on (March 13, 1969) then pladatill connenced petitioning

the trial court for a new trial under sald indictment, Connissioner Avery

attempted to persuade Plalatill against seeking a trial under said indictment

and after salling that inforned Plaintill that he would hever be releasted

• I50n s011tary confinanent maile he (Avery) was corrections coRmissioner.

iri,

9. That 10 the succeeding years until the present Plaintiff has been arbi-

trarily locked in solitary confinenent/ segregation for approximately live

years, during which time their has been several suicides by prisoners beca

ause of the harsament of the confinement including two (2) tao burned the-

selves to-death. See, EX--B.

..

19., That after the aforonentioned ploa by Plaintill the trial Judge, Hos.

Preston Battle, departed fron Hemphis, Tennessee, for a vacation and while

on said

vacation the then Governor of Tensessee, Hon. Buford Mllagton,

upon leaming of Plalat1i1's offort to receive a jury triai under said 1n-

dictaont, dispatched State officials to löcated Judge Battle to offer bin

¿the next Appollate Judgshlp vacancy 1f the Judge would deny Plaiatill a

tr1a1 under the petition refered to in paragraph-8 abote.

•1l, That on or about March 1ata 1969 in the prison segregation building

Plaint11s nas confronted througa a ruse: by mecial agent, Robert Jensen

o1 the Hemphis, Tennesseo, federal bureau of larestagation offico. The

thrust of "I. Jensen's conversation was seeking cooperation of Plaintlis

1n lurthereing the FBI Investigation of said chi indictment. When Plaintift

rofused the cooperation offer'tr. Jensen upon doparting said Plalatils could

expect Piaintlif Brothers (Joan & Jerry Ray) to Join hin 12 2r1s02, or Hords

to that effoct, thereafter:

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(a)

atiss's brother, jerry Ray, ras 1

aidated to the astent

that he had to resign his job 1n tha Chicago, Illinois, area; suba

sequently after forcing him fron his job the FBI attenpted to frame

DIn fOr DUnErOUS CrIMeS.

(b) plalatifi's other brother, John Ray, was arrested by police

wh1le driving his car in the St. Louis, Missruri, area and subsequent

Iy charged by the FBI for alding and abetting a bank robbery. Iried

and convicted with a defendant whom the soverment alleged actually

robbed sald bank, John was given 18 years and the alleged robber 10

years; upon appeal the alleged robber's conviction mas reversed by the

8th U.S. circuit court of appeals because the fruits of an illegaly

search & seizure was used against him; however, the 8th circuit ruled

thir the fruits of the illegal search was not ground for reversing

John Ray's case becasue the alleged aridenco (stolen money) was not

taken from hin; upon re-trial the alleged robber was acquited; sub

sequently another defendant in the robbery was charged and entered a

• plea for three (3) years which ras later reduced to eighteen months

by the governuent.

12. That In June 1959 PlaInt1Il fIled a civil action 1x the United States

• District court for the M.D. Of Tennessee seeking to void contracts between

plairt111, the aforementioned Percy Foreman, and defendant, Hule. In att-

empting to have said civii action (Complaint) dismissed, thus secessitat

1n8 the ref1ling by Plaintiff 1a the M.D. of Tennessee, the defendants

Attorney the late, John J. Hooker sr., of the Davidson county Tennessee

bat, 1llegally procured Plaintifi's entire prison record, Including doriclo.

Informatian, from the aforementioned corrections commissioner, Harry Avery,

and was thus able to have said Complaint dismissed In the M.D. of Iennessee

and refiled 10 the W.D. (Civil action 10. C-69-199) before Judge MoRae,

because of said donicle information.

13. That thereafter 15 Civil action 10. C-69-199 one of Judge McRae's

1n1t1al rulingswas that said actlon would be decided by deposition rather

than live testimony-subsequently the Judge disnissed the suit-on. notion..

af the defendants.

14. That following the United States Slith circult court of appeals rullag

on February 3rd 1974 ordering as evidentiary hearing into the circumstances

0f Plalatill's aforementioned guilty plea under sold Indictment defendant,

Judge Merze, again assuned Jurisdiction to conduct said hearing (cIvil

action 20.C-74-166) and again ruled that the two principal titnesses, the

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...*

aforesentioned fercy forenan, & defendast, dule, nould not have to underso

Luo testimony, only depositicas. ano Judge accouplished this lsgal sanou-

vor by juliao the Plalatill's subpoena powers pore liaited to a 100 n1lo

radius 01 Menghis, Tennessee.

That Judgo McRae furthor prejudicial & arbitrary actions & Inactions

Listed below offectively diminishod the Plaintifl's right under the united

States Supremo court mandate for a full and equitable evidentlary hearing:

(a) the court ruled in effect ?

___ at the solleltation of the

State's Attorney, defendant Rallo--ho had complained to the court that

the press was urglag the State to ask certals questions of Plaintiff--that

Gezeral Halle could Inguire of Plaintiff's alleged Information he (plaint-

111) provide said Percy Foreman concerning othes persons allegedly culpa-

blo wader sald er. Iadictaent. Ioreafter, althoo Plalatali did seler to

Information described above as beins given to Hr. Foreman by Plaintiff, and

*1thin the confinos of the above court ruling, neither defendast, Hallo,

05, Judge McRae questioned Plaintift 1n the natter.

(D) Judge McRae 1n concert with defendant, Pellicclotti, has con-

a1stently--despite petitions fron Platatits's counsel, Jases 1. Lesar-

declined to forward to the U.S. 6th circult court of appeals relevant &

necessary portions of the transcript in said evidentiary heartag: specil-

Ically, the definitive portions, of eadd transeript evidencias, Percy Foreman,

-aftor'lavatation, refused to offer live testilony in sald evidentiary bear-

1ng; and thus through their deleterious inactions in the tr. matter contri-

buted substaatlally to the 6th circult docisdon agalnst Plaintiff therels.

(c) Judge McRao has ignored a petition to take perpetuating testi-

nORY, filed alter sald evidentiary hearing, from defendant, fulo. MI. Hule.

being a principal character. therein.

15. That prior to said evidentiary hearing, Judge McRae, mislead or att

empted to nislead Plaintiff's Tennessee ir. counsel as evidenced by a

serIOs 0f lotters Platatiis roceived fron said Counsel (Mr. Robert I.

Iltingston) Implying that during several encounters with Judge MeRao he

• (Ilvlagston) was lead to believe the court ras synpathetic to Plairtiel's

case and thus a vigorus prosentation by Plaint1sf's counsel rould not be

NW 65360' Docld:32989802 Page 584able.

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16. That

melt bare deen zublicized allegations that, Judge MoRae, 18

nore concerned with the polltical affects

of his decisions than the

law. See, EX--C.

17. That the clerk of the court defendant, Pellicclottl, therein sala

evidentiary hearing was conducted acted in concert with, Judge lichas,

In declining to prepare and forward tr. naterial, described in paragraph

14-b above, to the U.S. sixth circult thus contributing substantially

"to the sixth circult denying Plaintifi relief under sald evidentiary

hearing.

18. That defendant, Halle, who was the State's chief counsel in the afore

mentioned evidentiary hearing, but is now in private practice, has libel-

ed Platatiff by aiding & abetting defendant, McMillian, 13 10l1l11an's

preparing & authoring the aforenentioned artilce for defendant, TIME.

19. That defendant, chillian, Intorned Plaintiff's brather, Jersy Ray,

01 Lís (HeM1ll1an's) relationship tata dofondant, baile. . a

• 20. That in

1975 defendant, Hatle, appeared with defendant, McMilllas,

at the Tennessee State penitentiary-sashville Branch--Therein chillian

requested warden, James f. Rose, a personal friend of Haile, to contact

Plaintiff and ask 11 he rould consent to an interview bj, Mcsilllan.

Warden Rose did forvard sald Interview request to Plaintiff Which Plalatill

declined and, thereafter, Hatle & McMillian vowod the solitary confinement.

building wherein Plaintiff was housed.

_21i. That defendant, Halle, while asst. att. gen. for the State of Tera-

essee several times rublicly criticised court decisions unlavorable to him

.In a manner suggesting he was attempting to Intimidate Judges, acts for

which he subsequently was dismissed iron the A.G.'s office by the att-

orney General for the State of Iennessée.

: 22. That 10 the January 26, 1976, Issue Of TIME magazine (EX--D) under

tho title of "the jing Assassination Revisited", defendant, McMillIan,

authored a malicious articlo subtitled "I'm gonna kill that sisger kIng"

and alleged said subtitle to be a statement made by Plaintifi.

Said article 18 littered i1th deliberate fabricationa, and while of a

hollywoodish charagtor they are delivered Ith salice Intent, begining -186-

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"••іД I96) 200.

arela buther Rag ras on IV alr

everyday, talking

deflantly about how alack people were soing to gat their rights...Ray

ratched 1t all' arialy on sao cell-block IV, at. Joss CIty. He reacted as

11-'K1n8'8 remariss vere directed at hin personally. He boiled when king

cane on the tubo. Ho bogan to call hia Martia 'Iucifer' H1a8 and Martia

Luther 'cood'. It got so that the very sight of King rould salvanize

Ray ". p. 18 said articlo.

The facts are that their vere no TV sets in the cellblocks of, cells,

during PlaintsI's entire sojourn In the Missourl State pealtentiary at,

Jofferson City; and, that defendant McMillian 1s cognizant of this fact

through conversations with Missouri corrections officials taon he has

contacted for information nunerous times.

See, EX--E.

23. That several other deliberate fabrications with malicious intent 1n

said articlo are:

; (a) "Ray and (ais fellow convict Raymond) Curtis would set, around,

often high on speed.." Speed being a form ol marcotic. p. 18.

(0) "On April 24, 1967; Just-one day after Pay escaped iron the

prison at Jefferson Clty, he net his brothers Jack and Jerry 1a Chicago's

Atlantic Hotel..." Allegedly, saJ's McMillian, discussing the nurder of

Hart1n Luther King. p. 18.

(c) that McMIlan alleged Plaintiff's. Brothers, Jobs & Jerry Ray,

bad, Iron conversations with Pladatiff, knowledgo beforo the fact of the

MIX JI; murder. PP: 18 & 23.

24. That the State of Missourl's degartment of corrections commissioner,

Ms. George l1. Cany, alleges in effect that defendant McMillian Is a fraud

¡1n connection with Mclillian's aforenentioned allegations concerning Plain-

t1fI's conduct thile in said Missouri penitentlory. See, EX--E.

25. That the Missours prisoner defendant Mclillian principally relies on

to substantiate bis allegations, allogations that Plaiatill not only

ploted the murder of :k de. but ras also a percotic addict, narcotic

poddles, ect. ect., 18 réveled to be one, Rayond Curtis.

Sa1d, Rajnond Curtis, atteapted.onced to converse with PlaintleS rh1le 1n

said penitentlary, thereafter he (Curtis) 'voluntarily "checked lato"

sogregation, alter being esposed as a professional infornor, and thus

-187-

?. 9

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 386

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## Page 387

was thereafter limited in his prison association to his owa type.

26. That shortly after Plaintiff's arest 1n 1968 to anser for said cr.

• Indictment defendant McMillian stated at a news conference that since he

(McKtIlIan) knew Plaintiff was guilty of the indictuent charge be (Mcl111-

1an) would not have to Investigato the case. Thus It follows a tortiort

that Mclillian has relied on the sork product of other novelist to sub-

stantiate sizeable portions of his allegations in said TIME artacle.

27. That defendant ichillian has postod Plaintiff numerous letters, first

threatening, then cajoling, In seeking interviews for use In said article

and his alleged forthcoming book re Plaintils.

28a That defendant TIlE magazine has a vested (financial) Interest 1n

publishing. sald artilce by McMillian--thus in promoting ichillian's forth-

coming book re Plaint1f?-- In that Hallillian's publisher, Ilttle Browa,

1s a subsidary of TIME lac.

29. That defendat TIME deceived their own agent (Richard C. Hoodbury) In

their Chicago, Il11n015, Office Into thinking TIME Mould run as Objoctive

story re the matter. See, EX--F.

30. That defendant TINE was' consciously endeavoring to influence the

United Stätes Sixth Circuit court of appeals in, Ray v. Rose, 10. 73

:

1543, which just a lew days subsequent to said article heard agguments

• In the above Ray t. Rose suit to deternine mether to order Plaintiff a

new trial under said cs. Indictuent.

=*

31. That IIME Inc, has a history of conspiring to subvert the judicial

and political processes by publishing, timely, malicious articles prior

to Judicial decisions or eléction of public officials..

32, That because dofendant, TIMS, has nade a fresh investigation )p. 17

said articlo) into the "case"--their Initial investigation evidently

belag perdormed by time inc. LIPS magazine In 1968--TIME Is cogalzant

that a substantial portion of said article is false & malicious.

33. That substantial portions of sald artilce by lichillian were supplled

to Mr. McHillian by defendants, Frank & Huie-Defendant, Hule, published

a sovel ra Platatils in 1970 itled "Ye Sler the Dreaner"; defendent, -188-,

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 387

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34. That the false allugations 15 sald articlo: "that Pla1

•11f comnitted

& boldup 1n London, Jazland, and that Georgo C. Wallace would pardos

pla1at1fl, pp. 17 & 23 respectively, vero supplied to defendast ickillian

by defendast jule as evidenced by statements nado diroctly to Plaistlls

by the above meationed Percy Forenan (quoatin& Eule to Pla1at1!I) alons

with oral & tritton declarationa by Defendat, Huto, see, ciui'.:.

35. That dofendast Hula 11 his ongoing nodla canpaign agalast Plaintif!

LIbeled PlaintifI In a CBS-IV Interview bostod by, Das Rather, on or

about January 2, 1976, by falsely allegag 11 affoct that Plaintiis had

murdered MIK JI. and, robbed a loas company 11 London, Eagland.

36. That the false allegations in reference to Adolph Eltier (p. 23 Bald

article) was supplied to defendant:Mcl1llan by Dofendast, Frail, as 'er-

Idenced by statemeats made directly to plaintill by Plalntitl's forner

Attorney (iào was intervlewed extensively by defendant, Frank) Robort H111,

os the Chattanooga Iennessee

bar.

37. That defendast Huld has a history, for conuercial reasons,

o1

contentiousness with said, Got. Wallace.

38. That defendant frank has a history of defending Z10n1sm eten when

1t Includes nurder, of, seo Frank's novel, püblisher in 1963, titled

"THE DEED", and 1f allegations 1n count 2-1 above aro substantiated in

court proceeding Hr. Frank's Intrusion Into yuld cr. Indictnent as a

Government advocate 18 readily explicable.

39. That an article 1n the BILALIAN NEWS published March 12, 1976, page 15,

penultimate paragraph, reported MIK JI. was shirting k16 pol1t1cal al11-

ances.."Dr. King nas saifting bis political allinaces aad civil rights

approach. Io support this tiew observers point to Dr. King's tews on

the Viet Man nar and bis growing support of the labor novement. Dr. King

was also coning under the istluence of the Teachlag of the Honorable.

Mastor I1jab Hubarmade.."

40: Inät Pla1at1II I1l0d a Libel sult in the United States Dis. Ct. 10r

the M.D.

01 JCRn66600 titled, Ray v. Frank, CIVIl IctiOn 50. C-73-126,

agatnat borela defeadant, stank, In 1973, and had procese served uson

his through his publisher, Doubleday company. Mr. Frank nas subsequently

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 388

-189-

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## Page 389

releived by the Court as a defendant in said suit by falsely a119g1n8

( See, EX-G. Do 1) a process deficiency; MI Frank's 1n effect falsely

• alleged that he & Doubleday Company's alfillation was formal & transitory.

41. That the record till confira that pot one of the Plaintill's accusers

1n the comunication industry have ever offered live testimony in a court

of law but on the

coatrary, they have utllized numerous ruses to avoid

process and the subpoena while the record vill evidence PlaintifI has not

Only siven live testimony (in the aforementioned evidentiary hearing) but

prior to the plea in said cr. Indictment was in contention with his cr.

counsel 1n their Insistezce--1n collusion With defendant, Hule--that platnt-

1£1 not be a defense witness therein.

Moreover, nothing of substance indicates that the legal system-

Influencial publishing companies combine are not acting in concert to assu-

Fe that their shall never be a (fury trial for plalatifi, eriminal or

c1 I, that's rolated to sald indictant apparently because It rould aot

be a "show trial", 1.0., the Govermient could not sustain 1t's heretofore

modia case.

And It would appear that a cr. defendant ithout the econonic

or political influence to effectively contest the abore situation 1s not

only subject to the denial of due process but can also expect his family

nenbers to be Jailed and franed for crininal offences while the same pub-

I1shing Industries, 38, defendant, TIME, conplain self-rigateously about

some distant country's coréctions or legal systen.

Further, It seen's that, by chance, the same nedia-political

comaine that coalesced 1s the Watergate Investigation-prosecution and

demanded full disclosure are out-of the same sack as thoes who prosecuted

plaintift under said cr. Indictment and who are now opposed to disclosures.

IN SUMMARY: the above mentioned Percy Forenaa has heretofore,

since he & the Gorerment sansuvered Plaintiff Into sald Indictment plea,

been siring a running commentary in the media on how he (Foreman) accom-

plished the feat. low he has published analogously the epilogue to the

seat In the STAR magazine thereir he pronounces:

• -190-

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 389

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publicity, appellate courts aro luctant to

'raTerse becauso it rould bring dom a boap of critician trou

the public tho are not castllar with the ruio and regulation

o1 lako..to flad a Judgo of a sroup of Judgos tith abought

courage, would on exporience.

be usexpected". See, EX--y.

42. That the defendants, IIME 1nc., Georgo Selllian, " Henry fallo,

Hilllan Eratiord Hulo, and Gerold Frank aro guilty of the violation

aS IO]LOWB:

(a) 05 21b011n6 Plaint1fs 1n sald IIME article #1th nalicios Istent.

43.. That the defendasts, TIMS 10C., Georzo Mckillian, i. Henry Halle,

are guilty of the violation as follows:

(a) 01 acting 1z collusion, by the nature of said article and It's

publishing date, to Influence the U.S. 6th circuit court of appeals in,

Ray v. Rose, 10, 73-1543, adversoly to heroin Plalatifl, thus obstructing

Justico and Violatios Plaintill'a civil FIghts.

4--That, defendast, cYllian, 1s In addition guilty of the violation

a$ FOIIONS:

(a) of recaving & publishing aalicious narerial frou defendants,

Hule & Franks, irth a reckless disregard for the truth of falsity of said

material thus compounding Mclillian's libel.

45- That defendant, Hule, 1s 12 addition guilty of the tolation as 101lows:

• (a) 01 I1beling iith malicious inteny by falsely charging on a

CBS-IV special dated January 2, 1976, and hosted by Dan Rather, that "laint-

118 had in effect aürdered, Rev. Martin Luther Xing JI., and, robbed a

Z0a0 conpany 12, LOndon, Eagland.

46, That defendant, Haile, 15 guilty of the additional violationas follows:

(a) 01 110lating Plalat1s 's clull rights with salicious Intant

by alding & abetting defendant, kelllian, 13 his (MCallIan's) publisgIng

said article, through furnishing Molillhan information fron the Mles of

the Iennessee Attorney General's Office villa ho (Haile) nas asst. Att. Gen.

(b) of hardng diroct snowlodge resulting trom his tenure in the

Tenzessod A.G. Of ice and his association iith the aforementioned, Percy

Forenan & Willian L. Barry, of the trutfulness of allegation nade in count-3

hereis above, thus violating Plaint1fl's civil rights.

-191-

NWV 65360 Doeld:32989802 Page 390

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47. That defendants, Judge MoRae & Brenda Pellacclotti, are guilty of

the civil rights violation as follows:

(a) of deliberately withholding relevant portions of Plaintil!'s

transcript from an aypellate court, refered to in count-14 b above, and

thus contributed substantially to that court--U.s. 6th circult court of

appeals--sustaining Judge McRae's earlier ruling therein against Plaintill.

48. That defendant, Judge McRae, 1s In addition guzlty of the civil right's

violation as follows:

(a) of refusing to act on a motion to take peryetuating testi~

sony fron defendaat, Hule, in the aforesentioned evidentiary hearing, re-

Jered to in count-14 a abore.

49. That the Plaintiff is entitled to exemplary damages because defendants,

excluding Judge licRae & Pellicciottl, should be taught that the culpabll-

'Ity of defendants in cI. Indictnents were intended under the United States

constitution to be decided in courts of law rather thas through fraudulent

alsrepresentations in the connercial conmunications industry; and the other

tro defendants that legal requirements precede political considerations

or blasness against a particular l1tigant.

50:. That as a result of the defendants actions cited herein the Plaintiff

has not only been ligeled in a naligant tashion but thoes who have the

responsibility of upholding litigants constitutional rights have by their

COllusiTe acts Indirectly contributed to and encouraged the I1bel.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment fros defendants, ex-

¡cluding Judge licRae, punitive danages of five hundred thousand dollars

respectively.

James E. Ray

Station--A

Nashville, Tensessee.

Plaintiff

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 • Page 391

-192-

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## Page 392

• ' DATE:

11.8. 33:248

TENNIORIT

Roccived of Sheriff William N. Moris. Jr: the

Sun of $/0

Said nonigs boing sent

• by mail to

James Earl Ray, with aliases, from Custil RAPPER

Who resides at 1a15 BELLEVUE MAeLENO, NO. 63i4'3::

SISTEN NO, 7573-48941428

The above sun was received in tho form of

(check

moncy. ordor

VERB C. STAPLES

112.F2.

ATESEA

•ames Earl Ray, County Jail

ERE. PAY - 710 ANN AUE,

LOUIS; MISSON. 6390E

BA RAY 1982 M

NW 65360 Docldi3298a802

age

-193

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EXHIBIT 15

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:

L.

SHELBY COUNTY

I, J. A. BLACKWELL, Clerk of the Criminal Courts of said County, do hereby certify that the fore-

soing (5) FIVE

Pages contain a full, true and perfect copy of the

PETITION FOR WAIVER OF TRIAL AND REQUESE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF PLEA OF GULLTY AND

ORDER AUTTIORIZING WAIVER OF TRIAL AND ACCEPTING PLEA OF GUILTY AVD.

VOIR DIRE OF DEFENDANT ON WAIVER AND ORDER - OF JAVES EARL.RAY - BOCKET NUNVER B-16645

as the same appears of record now on file in my office.

• In Testimony Whercol I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal

of said Court; at office, in the City of Memphis.

this

16 day of

AUG.

1976

- /5/ J.A. BLACKIELL

_Clerki

By my

D. C.

State of Tennessee

SEELBY COUNTY

IN THE CRIMINAL, COURT OF SHELBY COUNTY, TENN.

Memphis, Tena-_AUSe 16.1276

-19.

I, WILLIAM H. WILLIANS

-

-, sole and presiding Judge of the Criminal Court of said

County Division 3

-, certify that J. A. BLAChWall, who gave the foregoing certificate, is. now, and

was at the time of signing the same, Clerk of said Court, and that said Court is a Court of Record, and that

his attestation is in due form, and his official acts, as such, are entitled to full fith and credit.

'Witness my band, this. 16

_day of_

1976

HiL

Liceisma.

-Judge.

State of Tennessee

SHELBY COUNTY

I, J. A. BLACKWELL, Clerk of the Criminal Courts of said County, certify that HON.

HILLIAM H. NILLIAMS

., whose genuine official signature appears to the above

and bereto annexed Certificate, is and was at the time of signing the same, sole and presiding Judge of the

Criminal Court Division 3, in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and quali-

fied, and that all his official acts, as suck, are entiled to full faith and credit.

In Testimony Whereof I have hereuato set my hand and affixed the seal

of said Court, at office, in the City of Mempbis,

this 16 day of

19.76

/sl, 3.A. BLACKWELL

_Clerk.

By.

bau

D. C.

-194-

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 394

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IN IN

ME COURT dE SHENY COUNTY, TE

DIVISION.

TIL

STATE OF TENNESSEE

VS.

JAMES EARL RAY

DEFENDANT

NO, 16645

PETITION FOR WAIVER OF TRIU AND REQUEST FOR.

ACCEPTANCE OF PLEA OF GUILTY

That my true full neme is

JAMES EARL

and I ossert that

•ll procedings egainst me should be had in the none which I hereby declare, to be ry

trc поке.

, Nho was sE-

'.

me in this cause.

and Hugh Stanton, Sx., Public Defender,

ard I have read and discussed it with my attorney, and believe and feel that I under-

na have how a

I have received a copy of the indictent before being called upos to plead,

stand the accusation made against me in this case

and in each case listed herein. I

hereby waive the formal reading of the indictuent.

I have told my attorney the facts and surrounding circuastances as known

to me concerning the matters mentioned in the indictnents,, and believe and feel that

my attorner is fully Informed as to all such matters.

attorney has inforsed me

at to the nature and causé of éach accusation against me, and as to any and all

possible defenses I might-have in this cause.

My attorney has advised me as to the punishaent provided by lar for the

affenses charged and embraced in the Indictnent against me. My attorncy has further

advised that punishment which the law provides for the crime with which I su charged

in the indictment is as follows:

death by electrocution or confinement in the State Penitentiary for

life or for some period of time over twenty (20) years

and 11 accepted by" the Court and Jury ny sentence on a plea of guilty will be:

confinenent in the State 'Penitentiary for ninety-nine years (99).

It has been fully explained to me and I understand that I ney, 1f I so choose,

plead "Not Guilty" to any offense charged against me, and that if I choose to plesà "ziot

Guilty" the Constitution gusrantees and this Court will provide me the right to a speedy

ond public trial by jury; the right to see and hear all ritnesses against ne; the right

to use the power ond process or the court to compell the production of any evidence,

Including the attendance of any witness, in my favor; and the right to have the assis-

l'ance of counsel in my defense at all stages of the proceadings.

In the exercise of my own free will and choice and without any threats or

siressure uf any kind or promises of gain or favor from any source whatsoever, and being

Anishauere of she action I am taking, I do hercby in ouen court request the court to

usceptiy plea oi guilty to the charzes outlined herein.

I hereby waive. any right I

may or could have to a Motion for a New Trial, and/ox,

an appeal.

now lend

Defendanl

-195-

hi stratin

NW-65360 Docld:32989802 Page 39:

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THC CRIMINAL COURT OF SHELBE COU

DIVISION ILI

255a5

STATE, OF TENNESSEE.

yS

JAMES EARIURAY

DEFENDANT

NO.16645

ORDER AUTHORIZING WAIVER OE TRIAL AND ACCEFTINS

FLEA OF GUILTE

This cause case on for hearing before the Honorable_l

_PRESTON BATTLE.

• Judge o Division III, of the

Criminal Court of Shelby County, Tennesses, on the petition of the

defendant, JAMES EARL RAY, for halver of trial by jury and

request for acceptance of a plea of guilty, seid petition being attached

hereto and incorporated by reference herein; upon statements node in

the District Attorney General,

open Court by the defendent berein; his attorneysof record; /the Assistant

Attorneys General representing the State of Tennessce; and fron questioning

by the Court of defendant and his counsel in open Court; and

IT APPEARING TO THE COURT after careful consideration that the

defendant herein has been fuily ravised and understands his right to a

trial by jury on the perits of the indictuent against him, and that

the

defendant herain does not elect to have a jury deterine his guilt or

Innocence under a plea of Not Guilty; and has waived the forial reading

of the Indictment, AND:

IT FURTIER APPARING TO THE COURT that the defendant Intelligensly

and understendingly waives his right to a triol and of his oun free will and

choice and without any threats of pressure of ony kird or promises, other

that the recoumendation of the State as to punishment; and does desire to

enter a plea of guilty

and accept the recommendation of the Staté as to

punistment, vaives his right to a lotion for a lien ITial and/or on appeal. .

IT IS THEREFORE, ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED that the patition

filed herein be and the susc is hereby granted.

Enter this the

seth day of March

_ 2962.

Preten Bauce:

JUDGE

7.

=196-

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:

JUDGE

JUDGE.

"James Earl Ray, stand."

"Have your lawyers explained all your rights to you and do

you understand then?"

. DEFENDANT

JUDGE

'"Yes"

"Do you know that you have a right to a trial by jury on the

charge of Murder in the First Degree against you, the punish-

ment for Murder in the First Degree ranging from Death by

Electrocution to any time over twenty years? The burden of

proof is on the State of Tennessee to prove you guilty be-

yond a reasonable doubt and to a moral certainty and the de-

cision of the Jury must be unanimous both as to guilt and

punishment?

In the event of a jury verdict against you, you would

have the right to file à Motion for a New Trial addressed to

the trial judge? In the event of an adverse ruling against

you on your Motion for a New Trial, you would have the right

to successive appeals to'

the Tennessee Court of Criminal Ap-

peals and the Supreme Court of Tennessee and to file a pe-

tition for review by the Supreme Court of the United States?

Do you understand that you have all these rights?"

DEFENDANT

"Yes"

.. sna sa

..

JUDGE

"You are entering a plea of. Guilty to Murder in the First

Degree as charged in the Indictment and are compromising

-

and, settling your case on agreed punishment of ninety-nine

years in the State Penitentiary. Is this what you want to

do?"

DEFENDANT

JUDGE

"Yes"

"Do you understand that you are waiving, which means "giving

up", a formal trial by your plea of Guilty although the laws

of this State require the prosecution to present certain evi-

dence to a jury in all cases of Pleas of Guilty to Murder in

the First Degree?

Jai.

-197-

.....""

NW.65360 Docld:32989802. Page 397

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w-w=

.1

- =

....

:

", *

101I

age fire of Deu

ant on l'aiver and Order

By your plea of guilty you are also waiving your rights

to (1) Motion for a New Trial; (2) Successive Appeals to:

the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and the Supreme

Court of Tennessee; (3) Petition for Review by the Supreme

"Court of the United States.

By your plea of guilty you are also abandoning and

waiving your objections and exceptions to all the Motions

and Petitions

in which the Court has heretofore ruled against

you in whole of in part; among them being:

' 1. Notion to withdraw plea and quash indictment

2. Motion to inspect evidence

3. Motion to remove lights and cameras from jail....

4. Motion for private consultation with attorney

5. Petition to authorize defendant to take depositions

6. Motion to permit conference with Huie

7. Motion to permit photographs

8. Motion to designate court reporters

9. Motion to stipulate testimony

10. Suggestion of proper name"

DEFENDANT

JUDGE

"Yes"

"Has anything besides this sentence of ninety-nine years in

the penitentiary been promised to you to get you to plead

guilty? Has anything else been promised you by anyone?"

DEFENDANT "No"

JUDGE

"Has any pressure of any kind, by anyone in any way been

used on you to get you to plead guilty?"

DEFENDANT

JUDGE

"No"

"Are you pleading guilty to Murder in the First Degree in

this case because you killed Di. Martin Luther King under

such circumstances that would make you legally guilty of

Murder in the First Degree under the law as explained to

you by your lawyers?'

DEFENDANT "Yes"

-198-

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 398

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## Page 399

Port Jire of Defendant on Staiver and Order

JUDGE

"Is this Plea of Guilty to Murder in the First Degree with

agreed punishment of ninety-nine years in the State Peni-

tentiary, freely, voluntarily and understandingly made and.

entered by you?"

DEFENDANT "Yes"

JUDGE

"Is this plea of Guilty on your part the free act of your

free will, made with your full knowledge and understanding

of its meaning and consequerices?"

DEFENDANT

JUDGE

"Yes".

"You may be seated."

Ams and th

Percy Foreman

-199-

NW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 399

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indian a =

EXHTBIT 17

(classified)

-200-

*eMM_65360 Docld:32989802 Page 400

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EXHIBIT 18

(Classified)

-201-

DOJ-1977-02

MMW 65360 Docld:32989802 Page 401

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