</s>APPROVED FOR RELEASE 2025 UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 14176 1763-08 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20505 TO Director Federal Bureau of Investigation 14 MAY 1968 Attention: S. J. Papich FROM : Deputy Director for Plans SUBJECT: Assamination of Martin Luther King 1. On 3 May 1968, an official Italian Intelligence Service provided this Agency's representativeative in Home with the following information on one James RAY. A James RAV, born in Los Angeles on 8 March 1985 (father's) born in Liver) arrived in San Giangno, Siena, in March 1955 and registered as a student at Perugia. In Hospital and is confined at San Giangano de Fiesole Hospital. These confirmatio verve for "osteoveltical condition causing parietal temple in the cranium, on right performently to the United States in December 1987. 2. The Italian National Police and the Italian Intelligence Service have turned up no other information this far. All Italian entry posts have RAY and his alliance on their watchlist. 3. The Federal Bureau of investigation represents tive in the Federal Bureau was advised of the information in paragraphs 1 and 3 above. CSCI 316/01/66 R.L. Spinelli, Jr./ac 7 May 1968 Distribution: Ong 1 - Addresse 1 - DC/CI 1 - C/I/C/F 1 - 1 - R//C 1 - RID 1 - B//CA 1 - EUR/Cps COORDINATION: CI/Staff/R. Ober DC/CI/James Hunt BASED ON: Rome 5861 (IN 03635)

Summary  
This document is a classified communication from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) dated 7 May 1968. It references an individual named James RAY, with conflicting details regarding his birthdate and place of origin. The text states that an Italian Intelligence Service provided information about RAY, noting he was born in Los Angeles on 8 March 1985 (father's birthplace listed as Liver, possibly a typo). RAY is described as having arrived in San Giangno, Siena, in March 1955 and registered as a student at Perugia. He is hospitalized and confined at San Giangano de Fiesola Hospital due to an unspecified condition affecting the parietal temple region of the cranium. The document mentions RAY's arrival in the United States in December 1987, though this date conflicts with the timeline of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination (April 4, 1968). Italian authorities report no additional information on RAY or his associates, who are listed on watchlists at all Italian entry points. The FBI is advised of this information.  

Key People  
- James RAY (subject of the document; conflicting birthdate and timeline)  
- S. J. Papich (FBI Director recipient of the communication)  
- Deputy Director for Plans (CIA official initiating the communication)  
- R.L. Spinelli, Jr. (CIA signatory)  

Key Locations  
- San Giangno, Siena (Italy; mentioned as a place of residence)  
- Perugia (Italy; university registration location)  
- San Giangano de Fiesole Hospital (Italy; medical facility referenced)  
- Washington, D.C. (CIA headquarters)  

Key Events  
- CIA communication to FBI regarding James RAY's background and status  
- Italian Intelligence Service providing information on RAY  
- FBI advised of the details concerning RAY’s alleged activities  
- Mention of RAY’s arrival in the United States in December 1987  

Key Organizations  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Italian Intelligence Service  
- Italian National Police

MLK Declassified Files

07171121_assassination_of_martin_l.pdf

Document Summary

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