</s>OPTIONAL FORM NO. M. 2010-10-17-43 UNITED STATES COVERNMENT UNITED STATES COVERNMENT SAC (157-10673) DATE: 4/22/68 TO TO JOSEPH L. COLEMAN Complaint Clerk 137-1667 MURKIN SUBJECT: MURKEN Manor Emiis Cots 137- 1667 AT 9:40 a.m. 4/2/68, 4/23/68. MARIO OTIZZ, Station Manager, SUBJECT: MUNKIN. Tennessee Grocery Station, 2701 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, La. Tel. # # 882-9555, telephonically advised that on 4/28/69, an individual who believes he is identified at JAMES EARL RAY came Tel. @ # 892-955, telephoneally advised that at 4/29/69. 4/2 /66 station twice. He stated that he was approximately 7:15 a.am, driving in 1965 to 1966 Plymouth Barracuda, brown in color, fast back, which bore Alabama House. The man was alone at the time. At the time of his arrest, the man was also at the same time. station alone and this time he was driving a 1960 or 1961 red Dodge pickup truck, 1/2 or 3/4 ton, which also bore Alabama license. This was not recorded. Some of the number of other vehicle. The police were not responsible for the incident. the shirt was blue in color. and ORTIZ thought the man who was some of the same type of air condition conditioner worker. He was held his head down most he had to drive in New Orleans from Alabama. said he had driven to New Orleans. From Alabama. ORTIZ described the man as pale looking, 40 to 45 years old, normal length dark hair, 170 lbs. had some type of marking or tattoo on arm but exactly what not noticed by ORTZ, and was white male. ORTZ stated he had the newspaper which contained the murder scene he had and the newspaper that contained white the man's photograph and the he said he looked at the photograph was identical to the photograph. He said he called the NOPD and an officer came to his station only. He held the minute after the man tan had departed to the second time. He Said he held the officer he than thought that he said the officer was the officer did not seem interested. or the murder of KING but that or Ortiz stated he would immediately alert the FBI if the <loc_264><loc_768>man should again come to his Station. JLC/ (2) ORTiz stated he was immediately alert to the FBI If the SARIZEDEDEDEXEDED

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on Eric Starvo Galt (GALT) as a suspect. Key elements include witness accounts linking Galt to Alabama/Florida, clothing evidence tied to Memphis, and efforts to cross-reference custodial records, photographic comparisons, and laundry marks. The investigation spans April–May 1968, with geographical scope across multiple U.S. states. Ambiguities in the text, such as discrepancies in names (e.g., Galt vs. Gault), unclear terms like "MURKIN," and fragmented witness statements, suggest incomplete or conflicting evidence. The FBI’s efforts included tracking stolen goods, latent fingerprints, and coordinating with local law enforcement to trace suspects like James Earl Ray and Raymond Louis Curtis.  

Key People  
- **Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.**: Shot on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt (GALT)**: Suspected of involvement; linked to a 1966 white Mustang found in Atlanta with Thermo-Seal marking tape and alleged ties to stolen postal money orders.  
- **John Willard**: Rented Room 6B at the Loringa Hotel, fled with a package identified as a rifle.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Identified through latent fingerprints; charged with murder, issued warrants for arrest.  
- **Raymond Louis Curtis**: Incarcerated in Georgia, provided information about Galt’s alleged syndicate involvement and claims of a $1 million bounty on King’s head.  
- **John Gordon Gale (Galt’s father)**: Returned a runaway son to New Jersey in 1967.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of the Lorraine Hotel (where MLK was shot) and the Loringa Hotel (source of the fatal bullet).  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Connected to Galt via Thermo-Seal tape and alleged criminal activities.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: FBI offices involved in tracking leads; a 1968 report described a man matching Ray’s physical description.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Where the 1966 white Mustang (registered to Galt) was found with Thermo-Seal tape and other evidence.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: MLK assassinated at the Lorraine Hotel; FBI investigation began immediately.  
- **April 10–12, 1968**: FBI teletypes to Memphis and Albany regarding Thermo-Seal marking machines and latent fingerprints.  
- **April 17, 1968**: John Gordon Gale returned a runaway son to New Jersey.  
- **April 20–22, 1968**: FBI efforts to track Delta Airlines passengers and crew for Ray; reports of a man matching Ray’s description in New Orleans.  
- **April 22, 1968**: FBI Atlanta office checked Delta Airline records for flights involving Ray.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted fingerprint analysis, tracked stolen goods, and coordinated with local law enforcement.  
- **St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office (Louisiana)**: Provided records on John Gordon Gale’s arrest as a runaway in 1962.  

Additional Notes  
- Documents reference Thermo-Seal marking tape with codes ("20-3," "In") linked to laundry operations, suggesting Galt’s possible involvement in theft networks.  
- A 1968 report described a man matching Ray’s physical description (dark suit, blue tie, 5'9" height) who allegedly offered a job as a hotel manager and claimed ownership of the Wohl Apartments.  
- Legal actions included charging Ray with murder, issuing warrants, and tracking his movements via airlines and hotels.  

Unclear or Ambiguous Information  
- Some sections contain errors (e.g., "1968 Federal Bureau of Investigation 701 Loyola New Orleans" repeated multiple times).  
- References to "Thermo-Seal" codes and their connection to laundry operations remain partially unresolved.  
- The identity of "FNU Coin" (a fence in New Orleans) and the Italian syndicate member is not fully clarified.

MLK Declassified Files

157-no-10673_hs1-852666771_123-02-part_1_of_2.pdf

Document Summary

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