</s>JN 157-9586 On April 1, 1968, Mr. WILLARD stated he was at his home resting due to inclement weather, but when the weather permitted around 10:00 a.m. he flew back to the Natchez-Adams Airport for the purpose of taking another flying lesson. He was at the airport for several hours, but due to the circumstances of his flight for several cessna 150 plane to return home by his Piper J-3-J-3.essa Mr. WILLARID stated that on April 2, 1968. he was his home assisting his wife with the preparation of flower beds and sodding the lawn with St. Augustine grass. In addition he had some work painting his home and remained at home during the entire period of April 2 and 3, 1968." 1968, but again went turkey hunting in the Homocitta National WILLARD continued that on the morning of April 4, Forest, but was very tired and came home around noontime. He ate, rested and he and his wife, EVA, sometime during He ate that, rested, and he was his wife. EVA, sometimes during stated that Mr. CLETUS SEALS and his neighbor, came by the farm pond and noted he and and his Wife fishing on the afternoon of April 4. 1968, and further that SEALS could verify that he was through most of the time between the period, March 29 through April 4th, 1968 Mr. WILLARD stated that he and His wife returned to their home came 4:00 p.m ., 5:00 pm. on April 4 , 1968, and he home came from 4:000 p. m. and his p.M. cooked supper. He pointed out during the evening meal a special announcement came over the television stating that MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR ., had been shot in Memphis and a later announcement stated that KING was dead. Mr. WillARD stated stated that He has never been affiliated with any Klan or hate-type organization that has in fact has a number of Negroes working under his supervision at the gravel pit. 2 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains FBI investigative reports from April 1968 detailing interviews with individuals potentially linked to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (April 4, 1968). Key figures include John Willard, Henry Boyette, Fred Philip Thorne, Artis Geeston, Maxine Delbuouno, Carsey Hall, and Dee Arantias. These individuals were interviewed in Tupelo, Jackson, Gulfport, and West Memphis, Mississippi, with some providing alibis or witness accounts related to the assassination. A white car with Tennessee license plate **KN 4264** is repeatedly mentioned as associated with the events. The reports span April 1–10, 1968, focusing on movements, potential suspects, and witness descriptions of individuals matching a sketch of the alleged assassin. While these documents do not conclusively resolve the case (later attributed to James Earl Ray), they highlight investigative efforts into alibis, geographic connections, and vehicle details during the aftermath of King’s assassination.

Key People  
- **John Willard**: Interviewed in Tupelo, Mississippi; denied knowledge of King’s assassination until after returning home.  
- **Henry Boyette**: Business manager who traveled to Memphis on April 3–4, 1968; claimed unawareness of the assassination until after a gospel event in Tupelo.  
- **Fred Philip Thorne**: Employed by Underwriters Salvage Company in Memphis; registered at Downtown Motel in Jackson, Mississippi, under name "Fred P. Thorne." Claimed to be in West Memphis, Arkansas, during the assassination.  
- **Artis Geeston**: Night bellhop who noted a man in Room 719 of the Downtown Motel arriving in a white Tempest Pontiac with license plate **KN 4264**.  
- **Maxine Delbuouno**: Night desk clerk who registered Fred P. Thorne at the Downtown Motel on April 7, 1968.  
- **Carsey Hall**: NAACP president who reported Evelyn Robins claimed to have seen a white male matching the assassin’s sketch exit a car with license plate **KN 4264** and enter the Downtown Motel.  
- **Dee Arantias**: Provided information about DEMA Pierce, using alias "La Bella," in Biloxi, Mississippi, on April 4–5, 1968.

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of King’s assassination; key location for Fred Thorne’s employment and the Downtown Motel.  
- **Jackson, Mississippi**: Home to the Downtown Motel where Fred Thorne was registered and where witnesses provided descriptions of individuals linked to the assassination.  
- **Tupelo, Mississippi**: Location of interviews with John Willard and Henry Boyette; also a suburb of Memphis.  
- **Gulfport, Mississippi**: Site of Dee Arantias’s interview.  
- **West Memphis, Arkansas**: Claimed location for Fred Thorne during the assassination.

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee.  
- **April 7–10, 1968**: FBI interviews with individuals in Jackson, Tupelo, and Gulfport, Mississippi, focusing on alibis, witness accounts, and vehicle details (license plate **KN 4264**).  
- **Witness descriptions**: Multiple accounts of a white male resembling the assassin’s sketch exiting a small white car with license plate **KN 4264** near the Downtown Motel in Jackson.  
- **Alibi investigations**: Scrutiny of Fred Thorne’s movements, including his claim to be in Arkansas during the assassination and his registration at the Downtown Motel.

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews and compiled witness accounts as part of the investigation into King’s assassination.  
- **Underwriters Salvage Company**: Employed Fred Philip Thorne, who was linked to the Downtown Motel in Jackson, Mississippi.  
- **NAACP**: Carsey Hall, as its president, provided information about witness claims related to the assassination.

MLK Declassified Files

157-jn-9586_624938_427e-03-part_3_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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