</s>Ray, James Earl Extradition (of Canale) Affidavit Copy of indictment 6/10/68 for 1st degree murder, State of Tennessee. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail investigative records related to James Earl Ray's activities in 1968, including an indictment for first-degree murder in Tennessee (June 10, 1968). Ray was reported hitchhiking through DeLas, Georgia on April 20, 1968, and allegedly stayed at Ivy Manor Motel under the name William R. Steckly. The Steckly family in California stated their son had quit work in Florida to return to California by April 19, 1968. Ray was incarcerated in Shelby County Jail on July 19, 1968.  

Laundry and dry-cleaning records from Piedmont Laundry and Dry-Cleaning in Atlanta (April 1–5, 1968) list Eric Galt as a customer who deposited clothing items, including a black check suit coat, dark gray trousers, and a black tie with tan and brown stripes. A laundry slip marked "EGC83" and dry-cleaning tag "8/755" are noted. Estelle Peters, manager of Piedmont Laundry, identified a man matching Galt’s description but could not confirm his identity definitively.  

Investigative efforts by agents (e.g., SA Rose Kane IV, SA Barrett) included checking cab companies, banks, motels, and public records for Eric Galt or James Earl Ray between April 1–5, 1968, with no conclusive results. A cab driver, Charles Stephens, reported picking up a white male passenger near Capitol Homes on April 5, 1968, described as 29–30 years old, 6 feet tall, and wearing a beige trench coat.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray: Indicted for murder in Tennessee; reported hitchhiking in Georgia (April 20, 1968); incarcerated in Shelby County Jail (July 19, 1968).  
- Eric Galt: Customer at Piedmont Laundry and Dry-Cleaning; clothing items linked to laundry slip "EGC83" and dry-cleaning tag "8/755."  
- Estelle Peters: Manager of Piedmont Laundry; identified a man matching Galt’s description but could not confirm his identity.  
- Charles Stephens: Cab driver who transported a passenger described as matching Galt’s physical traits.  

Key Locations  
- DeLas, Georgia: Ray reported hitchhiking through this area on April 20, 1968.  
- Ivy Manor Motel (DeLas, Georgia): Alleged stay by Ray under the name William R. Steckly.  
- Atlanta, Georgia: Sites of laundry and dry-cleaning operations linked to Eric Galt; Capitol Homes neighborhood where a cab driver encountered a suspect.  

Key Events  
- Indictment for first-degree murder in Tennessee (June 10, 1968).  
- Ray’s reported hitchhiking activity in DeLas, Georgia (April 20, 1968).  
- Laundry and dry-cleaning transactions at Piedmont Laundry/Dry-Cleaning (April 1–5, 1968) involving Eric Galt.  
- Investigative checks by federal and local agencies for Galt or Ray between April 1–5, 1968, with no results.  

Key Organizations  
- FBI: Involved in tracking James Earl Ray’s movements.  
- Shelby County Jail (Tennessee): Incarceration site for Ray.  
- Piedmont Laundry/Dry-Cleaning (Atlanta): Provided laundry and dry-cleaning records linked to Eric Galt.  
- Local police departments and agencies in Atlanta, Georgia: Conducted background checks on suspects.

MLK Declassified Files

190-hq-43418_bulky_1_sec_002_ser_1_only-part_15_of_63.pdf

Document Summary

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