</s>APPROVED FOR RELEASE 2025 UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 14176 -CONFIDENTIAL- CL BY: 2130716 CL REASON: Section 1,5 c. DEL ON: X1 DIV FIRM: SEC 5-82; SEC 22-87 From the Desk of Paul F. Morris 40508 NOTE FOR: Alan C. Wade @ DA FROM: Paul F. Morris @ DA OFFICE: CCS LEGAL ADVISOR DATE: 02/21/04:25:08 PM. SUBJECT: DOJ Review of King Assassination Alan, (C) As you requested, this note is intended to recap the status of the Department of Justice's review of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. ., CCS employee Marrel "Mac" McCollough EODD with the Agency in 1974. Prior to his EOD, he was a police officer in Memphis Police Department and was the first officer to arrive at the scene of the King assassination in 1968. In connection with a prior November 1978, he has been in the courtroom for the interview by DOJ in July 1976. In assessment. In conjunction with DOJ's current appointment of the Assassination, in July 1978, was by the Attorney General, in addition, he asked him to take a polygraph examination to be administered by the Director of the Office of the Supreme Court of Justice. Mr. McCollough didn't do! DoJ about assassination. CCS interpreted no objections related to what none of the questions were related to Agency activities and information and because CBS did not want to be McCollough did not do! This test was monitored by a CIA attorney. Mr. McCollOUGH did not. This test monitored by the CIA attorney, and we discussed, no Agency security, polygraph, and personnel files. The file file has been confirmed that Mr. McCollsough had affiliation with the agency agency in EOD in 1974 and the review confirmed that CIA is continuing to double this time. records to confirm that again that DOJ has reviewed his Agency files. McCollogh is not aware that DOJ received his Agency Files. (C] DOJ has asked for the Agency's assistance on the following matters. First, DOJ would like to Interview the examiner from the Agency's EOD exam for first. This individual, Hans G. Balasik, retired from CIA in October 1996 as an over Agency employee. This last known address interview the contract investigator, Richard O'Connor (2039-7093-9178). DoJ would also like to interview with the Attorney's Office (2049-7053-9179). Doj also also like the background investigation to clarify an effort in the report that it taken out context, could be misconstrusted. To assist with this effort, DOJ wouldn't like a copy of the FBI report to refresh the investigator's collection of the interview, doJ would like a possible, DOJ has also requested the Agency 's<loc_111><loc_860><loc_862><loc_875>assistance in securing the FBI's permission to provide DOJ with two BI reports completed by the FBI in assistance to securing the FBI's permission for to provide DOJ with two Bi reports completed in

Summary:  
This document outlines the Department of Justice (DOJ) review of the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on interactions with Marrel "Mac" McCollough, a Memphis Police Department officer who was first at the scene. McCollough was interviewed by DOJ in July 1976 and again in 1978, during which the DOJ requested a polygraph examination administered by the Office of the Supreme Court of Justice. McCollough declined the test, which was monitored by a CIA attorney. The DOJ sought assistance from the Agency (likely CIA) to interview Hans G. Balas, a retired CIA employee, and Richard O'Connor, a contract investigator. DOJ also requested FBI reports from 1973 related to McCollough’s consideration for FBI employment. The DOJ proposed granting McCollough administrative immunity if he provided information about his past. The DOJ emphasized using Agency-provided information only for "lead purposes" in public reports and agreed to redact CIA file reviews before release.  

Key People:  
- Marrel "Mac" McCollough (Memphis Police Department officer, first at King’s assassination scene)  
- Paul F. Morris (DOJ legal advisor)  
- Alan C. Wade (DOJ recipient of the note)  
- Hans G. Balasik (retired CIA employee)  
- Richard O'Connor (contract investigator)  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis Police Department (Memphis, Tennessee)  
- DOJ offices (Washington, D.C.)  
- FBI/OGC (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of General Counsel)  

Key Events:  
- 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.  
- DOJ’s 1976 and 1978 interviews with McCollough  
- Request for polygraph examination by DOJ in 1978  
- DOJ’s request for FBI reports from 1973  
- Proposed administrative immunity for McCollough  
- Coordination between DOJ, CIA, and FBI for document review  

Key Organizations:  
- Department of Justice (DOJ)  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Office of the Supreme Court of Justice

MLK Declassified Files

07167573_doj_review_of_king_assass.pdf

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