</s>ME 44-1987 2/26/68 ERIC S. GALT purchased Bank of America Money Order: 407970 1970 from the Hollywood, Western Branch: Bank of Americo, Hollywood, California. This money order was in the amount of $5.25 and was made payable to Locksmith Ledger. The FBI Laboratory concluded that the ERIC 8. Galt signature appearing on this money s. GALT signature appearing in this money signatures in this name appearing on other specimens submitted and attributed to ERIC S GALT. 2/28/68 ERIC 5. GALD purchased Bank Of America ERIG S.GALT purchased bank of America Western Branch : Bank of Americana, Hollywood California. California. The money order from Hollywood amount of 56.00 and was paid payable to ... Tiffany Enterprise. The FBI laboratory concluded that this The FBI laboratories were appearing that this money order is too distorted for an identification with these previous signatures but similarities were noted. 2/25/68 ERIC 6. GALLF purchased Bank: Of America ERIG 5.GALF purchased bank: Of Hollywood, Western Branch. Bank of Ameri. California. These money orders were in the amount of 59.99 and was payable to amount of 89.98 and was used payable to amount of 99.99 was paid to The FBI Laboratories concluded that they The FBI laboratory was prepared by the writer of money order was prepared and appeared on this the GALT was in this the signature of this name appeared on other specimens submitted and attached to ERIC 9. GALE. 27 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The document details FBI investigations into the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray as the primary suspect. Forensic evidence includes fibers from a Mustang linked to Avalon Cleaners, latent fingerprints matching Ray on a Remington rifle, and a .30 caliber bullet tied to his weapon. Witness accounts and familial connections are analyzed, with inconsistencies in records due to name variations (e.g., RAY, RAYNES) and potential aliases like "GALT." The FBI’s case hinges on circumstantial links, including Ray’s prison interactions, escape attempts, and alleged racial animosity toward Black individuals. While the document confirms Ray’s forensic ties to the crime scene, it does not definitively establish his involvement in the assassination, highlighting challenges in verifying connections through incomplete records and conflicting testimonies.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray (JER)**: Suspected assassin; linked via fingerprints, bullet evidence, and familial records.  
- **Lucie Maher**: JER’s mother, deceased by 1961.  
- **John Larry RAVN**: JER’s brother, married to Carol Pepper, operated Grapevine Tavern; denied involvement in JER’s escape.  
- **Jerry William RAY**: JER’s sibling, last seen with him in 1951; visited JER at Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP).  
- **Frank Delano RYAN**: JER’s brother who died in a 1963 car accident.  
- **Ruby Carpenter**: JER’s stepmother, divorced his father in 1962, claimed no knowledge of JER’s whereabouts post-prison.  
- **Floyd Evans Hill**: Inmate at California State Prison; reported Ray’s plans to flee to Mexico.  
- **Nelvin Oliver Cridley**: Missouri Training Center inmate; noted Ray’s gun possession and potential for violence.  
- **Lamphere**: Mississippi State Penitentiary inmate; mentioned Ray’s smuggling ties near Campfire Bay, Mexico.  
- **Cecil Clayton Lillierre**: Stated Ray expressed dislike for Black people but no specific animosity toward MLK.  

Key Locations:  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Central to JER’s incarceration; inmates described his escape attempts and interactions.  
- **California State Prison**: Linked to JER’s alleged hiding plans post-escape.  
- **Mexico (Campfire Bay, Torreco)**: Associated with smuggling operations and Ray’s potential refuge.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Mentioned as a location where JER allegedly resided.  
- **Avalon Cleaners (Los Angeles)**: Connected to laundry items found near the assassination site.  

Key Events:  
1. **JER’s Escape from MSP (April 1967)**: Inmates reported planned escape attempts, including transfers denied due to suspicion of planning an escape.  
2. **Forensic Evidence Collection**: Analysis of fibers, fingerprints, and bullet evidence tied JER to the assassination scene.  
3. **Witness Statements**: Inmates described Ray’s alleged racial prejudice, discussions about a $1 million bounty on MLK’s head, and his intent to kill him.  
4. **Prison Work and Interactions**: JER was assigned kitchen duties; inmates like Donald Johnson noted his role in smuggling operations.  
5. **FBI Investigations**: Agents such as Robert Dale Porter (FBI #450402) sought information on Ray’s movements, with references to typewriter impressions and handwriting analysis.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted forensic and witness-based investigations into JER’s activities.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Central location for JER’s incarceration and interactions with inmates.  
- **Prison Systems**: Missouri, Mississippi, and California facilities were key to tracking JER’s movements and prison-related activities.  

Note: This document is a partial excerpt from a larger FBI case file; full details require access to archived records. The text reflects the complexity of linking suspects to crimes through circumstantial and forensic data, with unresolved inconsistencies in familial records and potential aliases like "GALT."

MLK Declassified Files

157-pd-380_628415_06-01-part_5_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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