</s>7-1b REPORT of the LABORATORY FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION WASHINGTON, D. C. 203535 To: FBI, Chicago (44-1114) Washington, D C. 20535 Date: April 18, 1968 Fbi File No. 44-38861 Re: MURKIN Lab. No. D-560921 ET Specimens received 4/16/68 K62 One Prinz Air Release in sealed carton Result of examination: Specimen K62 is, in all respects, like specimen Q119. Specimen KC62 is returned herewith. No photographs have been retained. - 39 - 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail a federal investigation focused on Jerry William Ray (also referred to as Jersky or Jermy Ray), his brother James Earl Ray, and their associations with the Sportsman Country Club in Northbrook, Illinois. The FBI conducted interviews with Jerry Ray between April and May 1968 to investigate potential links between James Earl Ray and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Jerry provided information about his brother’s criminal history, including multiple prison sentences for burglary and other offenses, as well as alleged associations with individuals like Walter Rife. The investigation also examined employment records, surveillance of Jerry at the Sportsman Country Club, and media inquiries regarding James Earl Ray’s activities. FBI fingerprint analysis on April 25, 1968, found no matches between latent prints and Jerry Ray or other suspects. The documents reference James Earl Ray’s alleged contact with Carol Pepper (his sister) and Walter Rife, as well as his possible employment at a bakery while incarcerated. Jerry denied knowledge of James’ whereabouts or involvement in the MLK assassination but acknowledged his brother’s criminal record.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Brother of Jerry William Ray; subject of investigation for alleged involvement in MLK Jr.’s assassination.  
- **Jerry William Ray** (also referred to as Jersky/Jermy Ray): Interviewed by FBI; provided details about his brother’s criminal history and family connections.  
- **Carol Pepper**: Sister of James Earl Ray; mentioned as a relative with whom Jerry occasionally communicated.  
- **Walter Rife**: Former prison associate of James Earl Ray, known to Jerry William Ray.  
- **Lucille Mary Ray** (née Maher): Mother of James Earl Ray and Jerry William Ray; died in 1961.  
- **Marguerite Welch**: Manager of Sportsman Country Club; provided information about media inquiries and Jerry’s movements.  
- **SA Dumaire**: FBI agent involved in media inquiries and surveillance operations.  

Key Locations  
- **Northbrook, Illinois**: Home to Sportsman Country Club where Jerry William Ray worked as a maintenance man/handyman.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Location of Carol Pepper (James Earl Ray’s sister) and locations where Jerry visited family.  
- **Quincy, Illinois**: Town near Hannibal, Missouri, where Jerry’s father died in 1951; location of a river accident involving Frank Delano Ray.  
- **Menard, Illinois**: Site of the Illinois State Penitentiary, where James Earl Ray served multiple prison sentences.  
- **Chicago, Illinois**: Reference to FBI offices and media inquiries related to the investigation.  

Key Events  
- FBI interviews with Jerry William Ray (April–May 1968) to investigate potential links between James Earl Ray and MLK Jr.’s assassination.  
- Discussion of James Earl Ray’s prison sentences for burglary and other crimes, including alleged employment as a baker while incarcerated.  
- Media inquiries about James Earl Ray’s activities, including mail addressed to Post Office Box 22, Wheeling, Illinois, received by Jerry from his brother while in prison.  
- FBI fingerprint analysis on April 25, 1968, indicating no match with Jerry Ray or other suspects.  
- Jerry William Ray’s plan to avoid the Sportsman Country Club until May 7, 1968, due to media interest.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, surveillance, and fingerprint analysis related to James Earl Ray and MLK Jr.’s assassination investigation.  
- **Illinois State Penitentiary**: Where James Earl Ray served multiple prison sentences.  
- **Sportsman Country Club** (Northbrook, Illinois): Employment location for Jerry William Ray; referenced in media inquiries and surveillance operations.  
- **Life Magazine**: Paid Jerry William Ray $150 for an article about his family history.

MLK Declassified Files

157-no-10673_hs1-852666771_125-01-part_2_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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