</s>104-10142-10411 H.S.Concassas OLC 76-2946 77-0001/2 4 October 1976 Choro MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD SUBJECT: House Select Committee on Assassinations 1. On Tuesday, 27 September, I met with Mr. Tiny Hutton, Administrative Assistant to Representative Thomas Downing (D ., Va.) ,, and staff member Rick Feeney, to discuss the newly designated House Select Committee on Assassinations (membership list attached). Mr. Hutton asked for the meeting when I called inquiring as to when the Committee would be initiating their investigation. At that time, Mr. Hutton advised that rumors were being circulated by certain spokes people complaining about information would be released if were hired. The CIA was not specifically mentioned but if consultations were not mentioned but the actions impression left was that the Agency was involved. I had earlier called Frank Slatsinsky, Chief Counsel, House Armed Services Committee, and the suggested that I call Hutton and Thad Murray, in the official Representative Bob Daniel (R ., VA.) ., 2. Hatton said that Mr. Downing was discounted the credibility of the runners that were circulated concerning certain people that were being considered for top staff positions on the Committee. I recognized that these people are controversial and are the subject of attacks by a number of rival groups. He was certain that the agency would not in any have been involved. 3. Hulton explained that Mr ., Downing's interest in this matter arose from discussions he had Bernard Fensterwald and Bob Morrow, who claims past association with the Agency, concerning and the organization of President Kennedy. Based on what information they and other provided him, JFK ACT APPROVED FOR RELEASE 1993 RELEAS 20.205 CIA HISTORICAL-REVIEW PROGRAM

Summary:  
The memorandum details discussions between Patrick M. Carpentier, Assistant Legislative Counsel, and representatives of the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) regarding the committee’s formation and investigative priorities. Key points include Thomas N. Downing’s role as chairman, his concerns about information access from intelligence agencies, and the appointment of Richard A. Sprague as acting counsel to re-investigate the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sprague, a Philadelphia attorney with prior experience prosecuting Tony Boyle in the Yablonski murder case, was selected for his investigative skills. Downing emphasized narrowing the committee’s focus to avoid a broad inquiry, aiming to complete the investigation by January 1977. Concerns were raised about potential biases and the need for agency cooperation. The HSCA resolution passed the House, with support from the Black Caucus extending the MLK assassination investigation.  

Key People:  
- Thomas N. Downing (Chairman of HSCA)  
- Richard A. Sprague (Acting Counsel, former prosecutor of Tony Boyle)  
- Bernard Fensterwald (influential figure in JFK assassination theories)  
- Frank Slatsinsky (Chief Counsel, House Armed Services Committee)  
- Thad Murray (staff member in Representative Bob Daniel’s office)  
- Rick Feeney (Committee staff member with Naval Intelligence clearance)  

Key Locations:  
- Washington, D.C. (HSCA headquarters and congressional offices)  
- Philadelphia (Sprague’s legal practice and prior prosecutorial work)  
- Pennsylvania (Yablonski murder case and Boyle’s conviction)  

Key Events:  
- Formation of the House Select Committee on Assassinations to re-investigate JFK and MLK assassinations.  
- Appointment of Richard A. Sprague as acting counsel for the committee.  
- Discussions about intelligence agency cooperation, concerns over information access, and potential biases in the investigation.  
- Passage of HSCA resolution by the House, with support from the Black Caucus extending MLK assassination inquiry.  
- Review of classified documents related to Lee Harvey Oswald and JFK assassination under FOIA.  

Key Organizations:  
- House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA)  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)  
- United Mine Workers (UMW)  
- U.S. Department of Justice (via Sprague’s prior prosecutorial role)  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – referenced in context of intelligence agency interactions.

MLK Declassified Files

00436191_hsca_104-10142-10411.pdf

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