</s>7-1b REPORT of the LABORATORY FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION WASHINGTON, D. C. 205555 To: FBI, Memphis (44-1987) Date: April 17, 1968 WASHINGTON, D C. 20555 Fbi File No. 44-38861 JK Re: MURKIN 44-506661 JK Leb. No. CR D-506666 JK D-560667 JK Specimens received from Los Angeles, 4/12/68 Q127 White envelope bearing typewritten address "MR DALE L. DYKEMA, Receiver 3325 Wilshere Boulevard Los Angeles. California, 900005" postmarked "Los Angeles California Annne JA 22 AM 1968" Q128 Typewriter letter dated 1/21/68, beginning "DEAR SIR, I AM WRITING, and signed "Eric S. Galt" Q128 Typewriter dated 12/27/67, addressed to "Eric Galt 1535 North Serrano, Hollywood, California, beginning North Serrano, Hollywood. California, and beginning "Dale L. Dykema." As you know ... and signed Specimens Received from Chicago, 10/12 /68 Q130 Typewritten letter dated 10/15/67 beginning "Dear Sir: I received ... and Signed "Eric s. GALT" Q131 Typewriten letter dated 16/22/67", beginning "Dear Sir, Q131 Typewritten letter dated 11/22 /67, beginning Dear Sir, I ordered four ... "and "and signed Eric S.Galt" Q132 Typewrite written letter dated 17/20/67," beginning Sir, While in Birmingham ... and "and Signed Eric S." Galt." Q133 Typewritten Letter dated 11 /20/07, beginning Sir. Q133 Order Blank of the Superior Bulk Film Co ., Chicago, Ill. for order in the amount of $337.24, and shipped to Eric S . Galt, 2008 Highland Ave ., Birmingham, Alabama ALSO SUBMITTED: Six miscellaneous items of correspondence of the Superior Bulk Film Co. Page 1 (continued on next page) - 43 - 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) investigation into potential links between Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination and individuals connected to Jerry William Ray and his brother James Earl Ray. The FBI focused on James Earl Ray, who was under scrutiny for alleged involvement in MLK’s murder, citing his criminal history, including burglary convictions, and family ties. Jerry Ray, interviewed in Chicago, Illinois, in April 1968, denied knowledge of his brother’s activities but provided details about their employment, financial transactions, and familial relationships. The investigation included inquiries into Eric Starvo Galt, whose connections to the case remained unclear. Financial records referenced payments linked to James Ray, such as a car purchase and dance school fees, which Jerry Ray speculated could be tied to MLK’s assassination. No direct evidence of guilt was presented, but circumstantial links were explored through family associations, employment histories, and travel patterns. The FBI also examined latent fingerprints on a car associated with Jerry Ray and sought information about James Ray’s whereabouts after his release from prison.  

Key People  
- **Jerry William Ray**: Central figure in the investigation; provided statements about his brother James Earl Ray’s activities, financial transactions, and family members.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Brother of Jerry Ray, under investigation for alleged involvement in MLK’s assassination; had a criminal record including burglary convictions.  
- **John Ray**: Jerry’s other brother, whose employment at country clubs in Illinois and Missouri was scrutinized.  
- **Carol Pepper**: Jerry’s sister, mentioned in relation to financial transactions and family dynamics.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt**: A name linked to Birmingham, Alabama, around September 1967, but no direct connection to MLK’s assassination was established.  
- **Walter Rife**: Criminal associate of James Ray; served time in Leavenworth.  
- **Jack Garon**: Linked to Jerry and John Ray through potential burglary activities.  

Key Locations  
- **Chicago, Illinois**: Central location for FBI inquiries, including the Sportsman’s Country Club where Jerry Ray worked.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Where Jerry Ray stayed during his travels in 1968; also home to family members like his mother and sister Carol Pepper.  
- **Northbrook, Illinois**: Mentioned as a location associated with John Ray’s activities.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Reference to Eric Starvo Galt’s appearance around September 1967.  
- **Quincy, Illinois**: Home of Jerry Ray’s family and where some relatives resided.  

Key Events  
- FBI investigations into Jerry William Ray’s associations, including his brother James Earl Ray and potential ties to criminal activities.  
- Statements from Jerry Ray about travel between Illinois and Missouri in 1967–1968, including a 1960 Desoto car linked to John Ray.  
- Latent fingerprint analysis of a car with Missouri license plates (CCT-363) associated with Jerry Ray.  
- FBI inquiries into the whereabouts of James Earl Ray and his potential involvement in or knowledge of activities related to MLK’s assassination.  
- References to Eric Starvo Galt appearing in Birmingham, Alabama, around September 1967, possibly linked to broader investigations.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted the primary investigation, including fingerprint analysis and inquiries into Ray’s associates.  
- **Chicago Police Department**: Provided records on James Earl Ray’s criminal history, including a 1952 robbery charge.  
- **Illinois State Penitentiary**: Mentioned in relation to James Earl Ray’s incarceration and prison visits.

MLK Declassified Files

157-mo-2627_625067_27-02-part_2_of_4.pdf

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