</s>FD-36 (Rev. 5-22-64) FBI Date: Transmit the following in (Type in plantex or code) Via (Priority) Page SIX NO 100-16800 (13) NO 157-9936. "UNSUB, AKA BILL WILLIAMS; THREAT TO (13] NO 157 -9936 ., "UNSBU, AKAI BILL WILLIAMS: THREATT TO KILL MARTIN LUTHER KING; FANNIE ADAMS - COMPLAINANT; RM" (BUFFLE UNKNOWN) THIS FILE CONTAINS ROUTINE CORRESPONDENCE WHICH INCLUDES NO TAPES, ELSUR LOGS OR TRANSCRIPTS, PHOTOGRAPHS OR BULKY EXHIBITS. THE FILE CONTAINES NO SUFFILES, AND CONSISTS OF ONE VOLUME OF SEVEN SERIALS. (14) NO 257-1067. "WASHINGTON SPRING PROJECT; RM* (BUFLE 157-84828) THIS FILLE LOGS CONTAINING ROUTINES CORRESSPONDENCE, NONE OF WHICH ARE TAPESA, ELSLUR LOGG OR TRANSPCRIPTS, PHOTOGRAPHICS, OR BULLY EXHITES. THIS FILE CONTains NO SUBFLICTS, AND CONSCRIPTES, OR BUCKY EXhibits. THIS FILES CONTAILS NO SUBFILES. AND CONSISTS. OF ONE VOLLUME CONTAININGS TWO SERIALES, WOTH NOTHING, HUNG, TA 15 INNIGERES AS SOCCER? (15) NO157-10673. "JAMES EARL RAY, AKAKA; DR. MRTIN LUTHER KING, JR. - VICTIMI; CR - CONSPIRACY; UFAC - ROBBERY; (MURKIN) (BUFFIE 44-38861) - THIS FILE COSTRAYS RUTINE CORRESPONENCE, NONE OF which INCLUDES TAPERS OR ELSLR LOGS OR TRANSCRIPT. THERE ARE 72 ITEMS IN THE EXHIST ENVELOPE, MOST OF WHICI ARE PHOTOGRAFHS OF THE SUBJECT AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS. THE BULKY EXHIBIHTS OF THE BULLYS EXHIPHTS SECTION CONTAINES SIX ITEMS, INCLUDING CONTENTS OF THE HOTEL ROOM OF A LOOK-ALIKE OF THE Approved: Special Agent in Charge Sent M Per U. & U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1959 D. 0 - 246-600 (113) 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains fragmented accounts of conversations involving individuals allegedly connected to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. A source describes interactions at Gulas' Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama, where Dr. Prosch and Frank Liberto discussed acquiring firearms, including a bolt-action rifle purchased from Aeromarine Company. The rifle was described as short-barreled with no scope, and the source claims it was intended to kill King. Prosch allegedly stated that Abernethy and Rev. Shuttleworth funded the purchase of the weapon to make King a martyr and revive civil rights momentum. The source also mentions another gun purchased by Liberto in Detroit and Gault as a "decoy." Later, the source claims the bullet retrieved from King’s body did not match the rifle found at the scene. There are references to James Earl Ray and John Williard possibly being the same individual, with uncertainty about Ray's identity. FBI teletypes discuss investigations into Jimmy Wayne Ray, including checks of records in New Orleans and Louisiana, noting a Jimmie W. Ray with a driver’s license but no confirmed match for James Earl Ray. A separate document references a newspaper article suggesting Ray was not alone in the assassination, though this is presented as an opinion rather than verified fact.  

Key People  
- Dr. Prosch (alleged participant in planning King's assassination)  
- Frank Liberto (allegedly involved in acquiring firearms for the plot)  
- James Earl Ray (suspected assassin; referenced as a possible alias for John Williard)  
- John Williard (name possibly linked to Ray, with no confirmed identification)  
- Jimmie W. Ray (individual with a Louisiana driver’s license, investigated as potential match for James Earl Ray)  
- William Simpson (mentioned in FBI records as someone associated with Ray)  
- Abernethy and Rev. Shuttleworth (alleged financiers of the assassination plot)  

Key Locations  
- Gulas' Restaurant (Birmingham, Alabama; site of meetings involving Prosch, Liberto, and Gault)  
- Aeromarine Company (Birmingham Airport; location where rifles were purchased)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (where King was assassinated)  
- New Orleans, Louisiana (site of record checks for Ray’s identity)  
- Springfield, Missouri (where Jimmie W. Ray was incarcerated at MCFP)  

Key Events  
- Acquisition of a bolt-action rifle from Aeromarine Company by Prosch in March 1968.  
- Alleged plan to assassinate King to make him a martyr and revive civil rights support.  
- Discussions about using Gault as a decoy to divert suspicion from the actual perpetrator.  
- Claims that the bullet retrieved from King’s body did not match the rifle found at the scene.  
- FBI investigations into Jimmy Wayne Ray, including checks of records in New Orleans and Louisiana.  
- Reference to a newspaper article suggesting Ray was not alone in the assassination, though this is presented as an opinion.  

Key Organizations  
- FBI (conducted investigations into Ray’s identity and potential involvement)  
- DEA (involved in narcotics-related inquiries linked to the source)  
- Aeromarine Company (supplier of firearms allegedly used in the plot)  
- Birmingham Police Department (mentioned in context of local investigations)

MLK Declassified Files

157-no-10673_hs1-852666771_127-02-part_2_of_4.pdf

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