</s>who were antagonistic toward Dr. King and many who had apparently discussed killing him, any successful conspiracy would have to have involved based on the evidence at hand. In all the years following the assas- sination, the investigation has failed to reveal any connection between any alleged conspirators(s) and James Earl Ray including those alleged by Ray himself. Indeed, the overwhelming evidence indicates that Ray Ray was almost totally alone during the year after his escape from the Missouri State Prison. We have not addressed here the Bureau's handling of particular conspiracy leads because of the large number of allegations involved. Bureau files can be checked for each reported lead and the resulting investigation on that lead traced to its conclusion. -64- 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
James Earl Ray, identified as the assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., fled Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) in Jefferson City, Missouri, on April 23, 1967, and traveled extensively across the U.S. and Canada under multiple aliases, including John L. Rayns and Eric S. Galt. He purchased a .38 revolver and a Remington rifle in Atlanta, later returning the latter due to technical issues. Ray allegedly stalked Dr. King in Selma, Alabama, and interacted with an underworld contact named "Raoul." Financial records show transactions involving money orders, bank drafts, and correspondence with individuals like Jimmy Delton Garner (Atlanta rooming house operator) and William D. Paisley (car seller). His movements included stops in Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, Montreal, Birmingham, Mexico, and Los Angeles. Ray eventually obtained a Canadian passport under assumed names (Paul Edward Bridgman and Ramon George Sheyd) and was arrested in London, England, on June 8, 1968, for passport fraud and weapon possession. The FBI concluded his judicial confession aligned with factual evidence, undermining conspiracy theories.  

In the aftermath of Dr. King’s assassination on April 4, 1968, Ray rented Room 5-B at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis under the alias "John Willard" and purchased binoculars from York Arms Company Store. Witnesses, including Charles Stephens and Guy Warren Canipe Jr., reported seeing a white male in a Mustang near the motel. Ray admitted to FBI agents that he had taken the rifle to the room and fired the fatal shot before fleeing to Atlanta, abandoning his Mustang. He later traveled to Canada, obtaining citizenship under assumed names, and was arrested in London for using fraudulent documents. His confession included conflicting accounts of involvement, including claims of being set up by "Raoul."  

The FBI’s investigation into Ray’s activities post-escape revealed inconsistencies in his financial records and familial connections. Jerry Ray, one of James’s brothers, admitted meeting him in St. Louis and Canada but denied knowledge of his finances or movements. John Ray visited James in prison on April 22, 1967, the day before his escape, and allegedly sent money through a fictitious company to Carol Pepper (John Ray’s sister). Post-escape, Ray was seen in Chicago, where he purchased a car and worked at Wimbledon Restaurant, with employers reporting suspicious calls from someone claiming to be his brother. The FBI noted Jerry Ray had lied about not contacting James after his escape, including transferring a car to him in 1967. Despite thorough efforts, the investigation concluded procedural limitations prevented further interrogation of family members.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Accused of assassinating Dr. King; escaped MSP on April 23, 1967, and was arrested in London, England, on June 8, 1968.  
- **Jerry Ray**: Brother of James Ray; interviewed by FBI, admitted meeting James but denied knowledge of his finances or movements.  
- **John Ray**: Another brother of James Ray; visited him in prison multiple times, including on April 22, 1967.  
- **Carol Pepper**: Sister and business partner of John Ray; received money sent to her address from James Ray while he was incarcerated.  
- **Raoul**: Alleged underworld contact associated with Ray’s activities.  
- **Charles Stephens** and **Guy Warren Canipe Jr.**: Witnesses who identified Ray near the Lorraine Motel on April 4, 1968.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Where James Ray was imprisoned; family members visited him, including John Ray.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of the Lorraine Motel and York Arms Company Store where Ray rented a room and purchased binoculars.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Ray abandoned his Mustang here after fleeing Memphis and interacted with individuals like Jimmy Delton Garner.  
- **Chicago, Illinois**: Where Ray purchased a car and worked at Wimbledon Restaurant; employers reported suspicious calls from someone claiming to be his brother.  
- **Canada** (Montreal, Toronto): Ray obtained a Canadian passport under assumed names and resided in Ossington Avenue and Dundas Street addresses.  
- **London, UK**: Location of Ray’s arrest on June 8, 1968.  

Key Events  
- **April 23, 1967**: James Earl Ray escaped from Missouri State Penitentiary.  
- **April 4, 1968**: Ray rented Room 5-B at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis and purchased binoculars; witnesses reported seeing him near the motel.  
- **April 4–5, 1968**: Ray left Memphis, abandoned his Mustang in Atlanta, and fled to Canada.  
- **June 8, 1968**: Ray was arrested in London for passport fraud and weapon possession.  
- **Post-arrest (1968)**: FBI reviewed family contacts but did not interrogate them further due to procedural limitations.  
- **April 22, 1967**: John Ray visited James Ray in prison the day before his escape.  
- **May–July 1967**: FBI noted multiple sightings of Ray in St. Louis and Chicago, including interactions with former inmates and employers.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)**: Conducted primary investigations into Ray’s activities, financial records, and familial connections.  
- **Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)**: Involved in Ray’s arrest in London, England.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Oversaw financial investigations with noted issues in coordination between FBI and legal divisions.

MLK Declassified Files

157-tp-3231_629182_176-02-part_3_of_6.pdf

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