</s>Rosen to DeLoach Memorandum RE: MURKIN ACTION: 1. It is recommended that SAC, Frank V. Hitt, Atlanta, be instructed to prepare an affidavit and furnish it to the Criminal Court of Shelby County, Tennessee, refuting this allegation in order that the record may be set straight. 2. SAC. Memphis will be instructed ta advise Tennessee State Prosecutor of action being taken regarding this allegation. -2- 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail the FBI’s investigation into Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, focusing on James Earl Ray’s identification as the perpetrator through fingerprint evidence, his subsequent conviction in 1969, and ongoing legal appeals. Ray was linked to the crime via latent fingerprints found on a Remington rifle purchased in Birmingham under an alias, binoculars, and a map of Mexico recovered from the assassination scene. The FBI conducted an international manhunt, leading to Ray’s arrest at London Airport on June 8, 1969, using a passport under the name Ramon George Snyder. He pleaded guilty to murder on March 10, 1969, and received a 99-year sentence in Tennessee State Penitentiary. The FBI denied allegations of witness tampering by Jerry Ray (James Earl Ray’s brother) and emphasized no bribes were offered during the investigation. Federal agencies hesitated to cooperate with an author’s book proposal due to unresolved legal proceedings. Ray’s post-conviction appeals, including habeas corpus petitions, remained active in Tennessee courts, though the state supreme court denied his petition for a new trial in January 1970.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Convicted of assassinating MLK Jr., arrested in London in 1969, served a 99-year sentence in Tennessee State Penitentiary; pursued post-conviction appeals through habeas corpus petitions.  
- **Jerry Ray**: Brother of James Earl Ray, filed affidavits alleging FBI witness tampering.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt**: Registered owner of the white Mustang getaway car linked to the crime.  
- **Ramon George Snyder**: Alias used by Ray to obtain a passport and travel to London.  
- **Robert G. Jensen**: FBI Special Agent in Charge (Memphis), denied bribery claims in sworn statements.  
- **Clifton O. Halter**: Assistant FBI Special Agent, witnessed affidavits refuting tampering allegations.  
- **Orville Y. Johnson**: FBI Special Agent, witness to affidavits.  
- **Jesse Clyde Mason**: Tennessee State Attorney General, advised on Ray’s legal options.  
- **Harold Weisberg**: Freelance writer critical of the FBI, alleged conspiracy with J.B. Stoner to accuse the FBI of framing Ray.  
- **J.B. Stoner**: Attorney for James Earl Ray, involved in appeals and conspiracy allegations.  
- **Arthur Hanes**: Former FBI agent and attorney for Ray, theorized about weapons trafficking and black militant group involvement.  
- **R. Macy Taylor**: Assistant U.S. Attorney in Birmingham, Alabama, received information from Hanes about Ray’s alleged activities.  

Key Locations  
- **Lorraine Hotel, Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK Jr.’s assassination on April 4, 1968.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Location where the Remington rifle was purchased under an alias.  
- **Atlanta Motel, Memphis, Tennessee**: Registered location of the getaway car.  
- **Acapulco, Mexico**: Site of a body with unclear fingerprints checked during the investigation.  
- **London Airport (Heathrow)**: Where Ray was arrested on June 8, 1969.  
- **Tennessee State Penitentiary (Nashville)**: Where James Earl Ray was incarcerated after conviction.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis.  
- **April 19, 1968**: FBI identified James Earl Ray as a suspect via fingerprint comparison with evidence from the crime scene.  
- **June 8, 1969**: Ray arrested at London Airport using a passport under Ramon George Snyder.  
- **March 10, 1969**: Ray pleaded guilty to MLK’s murder and received a 99-year sentence in Tennessee State Penitentiary.  
- **January 8, 1970**: Tennessee Supreme Court denied Ray’s petition for a new trial, citing his guilty plea and competent legal representation.  
- **October–November 1969**: FBI and federal agencies reviewed allegations about Ray’s involvement in a conspiracy to assassinate King, including claims of weapon trafficking and FBI misconduct.  
- **September–October 1969**: Arthur Hanes provided testimony about Ray’s alleged role in transporting weapons to Memphis for black militant groups, though no conclusive evidence was found.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted fingerprint analysis, international investigation, and coordinated with law enforcement agencies; addressed allegations of misconduct and witness tampering.  
- **Tennessee State Courts**: Handled Ray’s initial conviction and subsequent appeals, including the 1970 denial of his new trial petition.  
- **Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms Division (ATF)**: Considered investigating weapon trafficking claims related to Ray and associates.  
- **Civil Rights Commission**: Involved in discussions about weapon transportation and potential conspiracy theories.  
- **Scotland Yard**: Received FBI identification orders to track Ray’s passport use.

MLK Declassified Files

190-hq-709_bulky_231_sec_003_ser_231_only-part_08_of_15.pdf

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