</s>UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION In Reply, Please Refer to Atlanta, Georgia File No. August 1, 1975 MURKIN A. Reginald Raves, 1975, Atlanta Public Safety Commissioner On July 30, 1975. Atlanta public safety commissioner released the results of his investigation into which time he tion of Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Two newspaper accounts of this conference are attached to memorandum. It is pointed out in these accounts Eaves advised that because of the many questions which remain in the case, he would ask the U.S. Department of Justice, Officials in Memphis, and the U S. Representative Andrew Young to initiate investigation to insure that injustice has not been perpetrated. This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is lame to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. REVOLUTION REPUBLIC 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents detail internal communications and investigative activities related to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) in 1968, focusing on James Earl Ray’s conviction, ongoing legal appeals, and allegations of conspiracy involving Robert Byron Watson. Atlanta Public Safety Commissioner Reginald Eaves conducted an investigation into MLK’s murder, requesting federal review from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Memphis officials, and Rep. Andrew Young due to unresolved questions. Eaves noted no new evidence emerged despite claims by Watson, a twice-convicted drug dealer who alleged a conspiracy. The FBI deemed Watson’s 1971 statements fabricated but resubmitted them in 1975 without prompting further action. Communications between the FBI and RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) referenced evidence held by Canadian authorities, with requests for updates on Ray’s legal status. CBS News sought access to an FBI-created scale model of the assassination site in Memphis for a documentary, though the FBI emphasized DOJ approval was required for information release.  

Key People  
- **Reginald Eaves**: Atlanta Public Safety Commissioner who led an investigation into MLK’s murder and requested federal review.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Accused of assassinating Dr. King in 1968; his conviction faced ongoing appeals and legal challenges.  
- **Robert Byron Watson**: Alleged to have provided conspiracy claims about MLK’s assassination, later deemed fabricated by the FBI.  
- **Ernest S. Leiser**: CBS News producer seeking access to FBI evidence and scale models of the assassination site.  
- **Clarence H. Kelley**: FBI Director who corresponded with Leiser regarding the scale model and case details.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK’s assassination in 1968; key location for investigations into James Earl Ray’s activities.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Where Reginald Eaves conducted his investigation and where evidence related to the Mustang car driven by Ray was recovered.  
- **Washington, D.C.**: Headquarters of the U.S. Department of Justice, which oversaw FBI operations and approved information releases.  

Key Events  
- **July 30, 1975**: Reginald Eaves submitted a report to the DOJ urging further federal investigation into MLK’s assassination due to unresolved questions.  
- **April 1968**: Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis; James Earl Ray was later convicted but faced ongoing appeals.  
- **July 1975**: FBI declined Atlanta police access to files on the case, citing DOJ oversight and confidentiality requirements.  
- **CBS News request (1975)**: Leiser sought permission to film an FBI-created scale model of the assassination site in Memphis for a documentary project.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into MLK’s assassination, managed evidence, and coordinated with other agencies.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)**: Oversaw federal involvement in the case, including legal proceedings against James Earl Ray.  
- **Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)**: Held evidence related to the case and communicated with U.S. authorities about its disposition.  
- **CBS News**: Requested access to FBI records and a scale model of the assassination site for investigative reporting.  

The documents also reference broader investigations into drug trafficking networks linked to MLK’s assassination, including Robert Byron Watson’s smuggling activities, financial disputes involving his mother Lillian Wilson, and connections to figures like Larry McDonald, Herman Jackson, and Anthony N. Malk. These networks operated across locations such as Atlanta, Memphis, South America, and Thailand, with ties to organized crime and federal law enforcement agencies like the DEA and FBI. Legal actions included appeals for James Earl Ray’s conviction, charges of heroin importation, and federal raids on residences associated with drug trafficking operations.

MLK Declassified Files

190-hq-709_bulky_231_sec_003_ser_231_only-part_13_of_15.pdf

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