</s>Fo-245 (REV. 412-602) 15-61 M. S. Department of Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILED FEDERAL BUREAU of DO NOT DESTROY - PENDING LITICATICI INVESTIGATION FR# 136 7.7 (02/21/90) Volume Number Satellite. Bureau File Number 44-38861 See also Nos. /52-41-5061/7 Pune 16/02/20 Wood 5/4/20/2 wuc 12/03/75 Fettano 3/9/75 Hattino 2/2/18/18 AoD MUS 6/16/20 AuTino 5/01/20 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail legal proceedings involving James Earl Ray’s extradition from the United Kingdom to the United States for trial in Memphis, Tennessee, following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968. Ray pleaded not guilty, asserting his absence from the scene and lack of involvement. Extradition efforts included British authorities, with Ray arrested in London on June 27, 1963, and legal battles over his trial in Memphis scheduled for July 1968. The case involved court hearings, appeals, and security measures for his return to the U.S. Additional records include administrative cost data from FBI divisions (Memphis and San Juan) for June–December 1968, noting no expenses incurred, and planning for commemorations of MLK’s death on January 4, 1969, linked to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and other activist groups. A 1975 U.S. Department of Justice directive initiated a review of FBI files related to King, his family, associates, and the SCLC, including materials on communist influence in civil rights matters and surveillance leads tied to potential threats against King.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray: Charged with MLK’s assassination; arrested in London, faced extradition and trial in Memphis.  
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Assassinated on April 4, 1968; central figure in the documents.  
- Frank Milton: Magistrate involved in legal proceedings related to Ray’s case.  
- James Callaghan: British official referenced in extradition discussions.  
- Ralph Abernathy: President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).  
- Stanley David Levison: Individual under review in FBI files.  
- Coretta King, Martin Luther King Sr., Alberta Williams King, Alfred Daniel Williams King, Christine King Farries: Family members of MLK referenced in DOJ review.  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee: Site of MLK’s assassination and Ray’s trial.  
- London, United Kingdom: Location of Ray’s arrest and extradition hearings.  
- San Juan, Puerto Rico: FBI field office involved in administrative records and inventory preparation.  
- Ponce, Puerto Rico: Mentioned in context of political meetings and informants.  
- California: Referenced in surveillance leads related to potential threats against MLK.  

Key Events  
- April 4, 1968: Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee.  
- June 27, 1963: James Earl Ray arrested in London by police.  
- July 1968: Scheduled trial for Ray in Memphis, Tennessee.  
- Extradition proceedings from the UK to the U.S. involving British and American authorities.  
- Legal appeals and court hearings regarding Ray’s case.  
- Administrative cost data tracking for FBI divisions (June–December 1968).  
- Planning for commemorations of MLK’s death on January 4, 1969, including vigils, marches, and political events.  
- 1975 U.S. Department of Justice directive initiating review of FBI files on MLK, his family, associates, and the SCLC.  
- Surveillance leads referencing a 1967 incident at the Holiday Inn in California linked to potential threats against King.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Involved in tracking Ray, administrative records, and surveillance of civil rights groups.  
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC): Organized commemorations for MLK’s death; referenced in FBI files on communist infiltration.  
- U.S. Department of Justice: Initiated 1975 review of FBI files related to MLK and associated entities.  
- Communist Party USA (CPUSA): Mentioned in context of alleged infiltration of civil rights groups like the SCLC.  
- Puerto Rican Patriotic Vanguard Movement: Referenced in informant reports linked to political activism.

MLK Declassified Files

157-sj-61_hs1-69642311_06-03-part_1_of_2.pdf

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