</s>APPROVED FOR RELEASE 2025 UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 14176 INDEX: OVER DNO- CLASSIFY TO FILE NO. CLASSIFIED MESSAGE TOTAL COPIES ROUTING AND/OR K-REF TO FILE No. INITIALS - SEEN BY K-REF RET. TO BRANCH SECRET DESTROY REPRODUCTION OF THIS COPY PROHIBITED 2 3 DISISSED BY ADV. COPY NOTIFICATION TO C/C/C.F. 4 5 6 ACTION ADV . COPY ISSUED SLOTED BY: 7 10 RID COPY. X/FILE. D/D/Y/F/E3 HOUR C/B0O DESENSIZIZED SECRET 291030Z APR 68 CITE BANGKOK 9432 PRIORITY DIRECTOR INFO MANILA Por DOI 70-17 RHYBAT WOMUSE SECUR ACTION REF: DIRECTOR 93162 1. AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE ADVISES THAT MAJ. BERNARD F. REHKOFP, USAF ASSIGNED TO MACHTAI, HAS BEEN IN TOUCH ASKING ASSISTANCE IN CONTACTING AN LNERGO OFFICIAL. 1230.30.50P REHKOPP CLAIMS THAT HIS DAUGHTER RITA, WHO FORMELY WORKED IN BANGKOF FOR LAW FIRM AND IS NOW BASED IN Bola SOP d K35 NEW ORLEANS WITH DELTA AIRLINES, HAS TELEPHONED HIM FROM NEW ORLANS APPROX EIGHT TIMES IN LNERO, SHE CLAIMSTS. SHE KNEW JAMES EARL IN AND SAYS SHE KNOWS HE WENT TO LONDON. STATES SHE IS IN THE HANDS OF LNEROGO. SHE CLAINS THAT SHE SHE FURTHER CLAIMTS THAT LNERGYO IS PAYING FOR HER PHONE CALLS, ASSPACT AT THE SAME TIME IMPLYING, AT LEAST AS FAR AS REHKOFF IS CONCERNED, THAT SHE IS UNDER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF DURESS. CODE 2. REHKPOF, USAAF IS VERY DRAUGHT AND CONCERNED FOR ROBER DAUGHTER'S WELFARE. AIR FORE ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WOULD TRY TO PUT LERGO IN TOUGH WITH HIM. THEY HAVE ASKED HIM NOT TO <loc_852>DO ANYTHING DRASTIC, SUCH AS SURFACING MATTER TO THE PRESS,

The document you've summarized is a fragmented but historically significant account of the **extradition proceedings** involving **James Earl Ray**, the accused assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the broader legal and media context surrounding his case in the 1960s. Here's a structured analysis of its key elements, historical context, and unresolved controversies:

---

### **Key Elements of the Document**
1. **Extradition Proceedings**:
   - The text details the **British legal process** to extradite James Earl Ray (or a similarly named individual) from London to the U.S. for trial on murder charges related to MLK’s assassination.
   - A **U.S. government attorney** argued that the assassination was committed by a single individual, citing evidence such as a rifle found with bullets matching those used in the crime.

2. **Evidence Presented**:
   - **Fingerprint analysis**: FBI expert George Anderbak confirmed Ray and "Sneyd" (likely a misprint for *Stevens*) were the same person.
   - **Photographs and witness testimony**: A witness, John DeChanos, described seeing a man in an apartment building on April 4, 1968, matching Ray’s appearance. Another witness mentioned a man seen in a store near the assassination site.

3. **Witness Accounts**:
   - Testimony from witnesses (e.g., John DeChanos) placed Ray at the scene of the crime, though details are fragmented and inconsistent.
   - The text mentions a **British magistrate’s decision on June 27** regarding extradition, with Ray described as a 40-year-old escaped convict previously incarcerated in the U.S.

---

### **Historical Context**
1. **James Earl Ray’s Case**:
   - Ray was arrested in London in **June 1968** after being identified as the suspect in MLK’s assassination.
   - He was charged with **illegally possessing a passport**, carrying ammunition, and forging documents.
   - The U.S. government sought his extradition to Tennessee for trial on murder charges.

2. **Legal Proceedings**:
   - The British courts debated whether Ray could be extradited, citing legal requirements under the **U.S.-UK Extradition Treaty**.
   - The case highlighted tensions between U.S. and British legal systems, with debates over evidence and jurisdiction.

3. **Trial and Acquittal**:
   - In **1969**, Ray was tried in the U.S. for MLK’s murder and found **not guilty** by a jury.
   - His conviction was later overturned due to procedural errors (e.g., lack of evidence), though he served only a short prison sentence.

---

### **Controversies and Unresolved Questions**
1. **Single Hand vs. Conspiracy Theories**:
   - U.S. prosecutors argued Ray acted alone ("single hand"), but many historians and researchers question the strength of this claim.
   - The "Gang of Eight" theory (a conspiracy involving eight individuals) remains a popular alternative explanation, though no conclusive evidence has been found.

2. **Evidence Reliability**:
   - The case relied heavily on **circumstantial evidence** (witnesses, fingerprints, and the rifle), with critics arguing that the prosecution failed to prove Ray’s direct involvement.
   - The absence of physical evidence linking Ray to MLK’s assassination (e.g., DNA or bullet fragments) has fueled skepticism.

3. **Media and Public Perception**:
   - The case became a media sensation, with sensationalized reports and conspiracy theories dominating public discourse.
   - Ray’s acquittal in 1969 did not resolve the controversy, as many believed he was still guilty but lacked sufficient evidence to convict.

---

### **Key Figures and Locations**
- **James Earl Ray**: Accused of assassinating MLK; arrested in London, tried in the U.S., and acquitted.
- **John DeChanos**: Witness who described seeing a man at the scene of the assassination.
- **British Magistrate**: Presided over extradition hearings for Ray.
- **Locations**:
  - **London**: Site of extradition proceedings.
  - **Birmingham, Alabama**: Mentioned in witness testimony about a man seen in a store.
  - **Wembley, England**: Referenced in fragmented text (possibly unrelated).

---

### **Conclusion**
The document reflects the **legal and media frenzy** surrounding MLK’s assassination and the subsequent investigation into James Earl Ray. While the U.S. government pursued an extradition case based on circumstantial evidence, the lack of conclusive proof has left the case unresolved. The controversy underscores broader questions about justice, conspiracy theories, and the role of media in shaping public perception of historical events. If you’re researching this topic further, exploring primary sources (e.g., court records, witness statements) or scholarly analyses would provide deeper insights. Let me know if you’d like help with specific details!

MLK Declassified Files

07164896_james_earl_ray_201_file.pdf

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