</s>FD-388 (Rev. 5-1-59) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION REPORTING OFFICE OFFICE OF ORIGIN DATE INVESTIGATIVE PERIOD KANSAS CITY OFFICE of ORIGIN MEMPHIS 5/15/68 4/5/68 - 5/10/68 TITLE OF CASE TITLE of CASE JAMES EARL RAY, aka - REPORT MADE BY TYPEED BY JAMES EARL RRAY, aka- SA RAYMOND B. HOWE rmb. I.O. #442-A2B2 FIVE WE. CHARACTER OF CASE W.P. #444-A1-A W.F. #4422-A- CHARACTRICITY, WR. # 444-A, DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR ., CR - CONSPIRACY; (DECEASED) - VICTIM UFAC - ROBBERY DR. Martin Luther KING, Jr ., UFAC = ROBBERRY REFERENCE: Memphis report of SA JOE C. HESTER dated 4/30/68. - P - LEAD KANSANS CITY AT KANSAS CITY Will continue efforts to locate JAMES EARl RAY. Handle all leads immediately. ADMINISTRATIVE: At the outset of this investigation, the Kansas City Division conducted the following extensive investigation concerning Accomplishments Claimed: None APPROVED SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE DO NOT WRITE IN SPACES BELOW APPROVEO: COPIES MADE: (44-38861) SPECIAL AGEANT DO NOT WRITE IN SPaces BELOW 5 Bur Eau (44-3881) (44 -1987) 5 Atlanta. 1 Atlanta. 1 Chicago 1 Houston 1 Houston 2 Houston Los Angeles Los Angeles <loc_112><loc_814>St. Louisis 2 Springfield 4-4-7-60) 2-2-3-2. <loc_91><loc_851>2-5-3.2-4.4-2 <loc_91><loc_850>2.3-5.4.2.2

Summary  
The documents consist of FBI FD-302 interview records from April 1968, focusing on James Earl Ray (JER), a convicted inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP), and his potential connection to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Key details include:  

### **Interviews with Inmates**  
- **Billy Edward Males (#02185)**: Served life for murder, interviewed by FBI in 1968. He stated Ray was a quiet, reclusive inmate who lived in K Hall and had no close friends. Males denied knowing Ray as a homosexual or drug user but noted Ray’s “odd” behavior and possible escape attempts.  
- **Jimmy Z. Bradley (#71844)**: Served time for unspecified offenses. He described Ray as exceptionally quiet, possibly using amphetamines for medical reasons, and unlikely to commit murder unless his life was in danger. Bradley suggested Ray might find employment on a ranch or farm.  
- **Jerome Carpenter (#0304)**: A lifer incarcerated since 1961, he claimed Ray lived in Quincy, Illinois, and attended school with Jerry Ray (Ray’s brother). Carpenter noted Ray’s meekness and lack of aggression but could not confirm his involvement in the MLK assassination.  
- **Orian Eugene Rose (#73773)**: Described Ray as a loner who liked baseball and occasionally used amphetamines. Rose claimed Ray had no criminal history beyond minor offenses and was unlikely to commit murder. He also mentioned Ray’s mother, who allegedly lived in St. Louis with an ex-convict.  

### **Warden Harold Swenson’s Letter**  
- Warden Swenson provided an article written by inmate Orland Rose (73223) suggesting that releasing it might encourage Ray to surrender. The letter implied Ray could be guilty of assassinating MLK but warned that if he died before trial, it would mirror the “Oswald case,” creating public doubt about his guilt.  

### **Contextual Notes**  
- The FBI sought information on Ray’s whereabouts and potential involvement in the MLK assassination. Inmates described Ray as a quiet, non-confrontational individual with no confirmed criminal history beyond minor offenses.  
- No direct accusations of murder were made by inmates; however, the documents reflect ongoing FBI efforts to link Ray to the crime through his prison behavior and alleged connections.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure in the investigation, described as a reclusive inmate with no confirmed criminal history beyond minor offenses.  
- **Warden Harold Swenson**: Provided access to MSP records and facilitated communication with inmates.  
- **Orland Rose (73223)**: Inmate who authored a letter urging Ray’s surrender, suggesting his guilt in the MLK assassination.  
- **Billy Edward Males (#02185)**: Inmate at MSP who described Ray’s behavior and potential escape attempts.  
- **Jimmy Z. Bradley (#71844)**: Inmate at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, alleged to have been framed for a robbery charge.  
- **Jerome Carpenter (#0304)**: Lifelong inmate who claimed Ray lived in Quincy, Illinois, and attended school with Jerry Ray (Ray’s brother).  
- **Orian Eugene Rose (#73773)**: Inmate at MSP who described Ray’s habits and lack of criminal history.  

Key Locations  
- **Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary**, Kansas: Site of Jimmy Bradley’s incarceration and interactions with other inmates.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**, Jefferson City: Location of Ray’s file review and inmate interviews.  
- **Columbia, South Carolina**: Where Carlos Lee Billings met Barber, Blackwell, and others in 1965.  
- **Canal Bank Inn**, Louisiana: Mentioned as a location where Billings and Barber attempted to acquire a machine gun.  
- **Selma-to-Montgomery route**, Alabama: Proposed location for the assassination plan involving a truck and machine gun.  

Key Events  
- **FBI investigation into James Earl Ray**: Includes interviews with inmates at Leavenworth and Missouri State Penitentiary, focusing on Ray’s alleged criminal contacts and involvement in MLK’s assassination.  
- **Plot to assassinate MLK**: Described by Carlos Lee Billings as a scheme involving a machine gun, with plans to target MLK during a march in Alabama.  
- **Medical evaluation of Carlos Lee Billings**: Indicates he was assessed for competency due to schizophrenia and other mental health issues.  
- **Inmate claims about framing**: Jimmy Bradley alleged that police officers framed him for a robbery charge, leading to his 20-year sentence.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews and investigations into Ray, Billings, and others.  
- **United States Penitentiary at Leavenworth**: Site of Jimmy Bradley’s incarceration and interactions with other inmates.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Location where Ray’s file was reviewed, and inmate interviews were conducted.  
- **Medical Center for Federal Prisoners, Springfield, Missouri**: Where Carlos Lee Billings received psychiatric treatment.

MLK Declassified Files

157-no-10673_hs1-852666771_125-03-part_1_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search