</s>Mr. Stephen J. Pollak September D. 1968 Assistant Attorney General Director, FBI Director, Mr. Long ASSASSINATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. Mr. William Bradford Hule was interviewed at his home in Hartside, Alabama, at his request. He advised that while James Earl Ray was incarcerated in London, England, he (fue) entered into a contract with Ray to write the true account of Ray's activities and background concerning the account of ray's activities in the background concerning them is also of interest to Arthur Hanes, Ray's attorney, insach as the cost of the trial, including attorney's fees, is as dependent upon the commercial success of the contract. M. Hule spent the time to date he has invested approximately $20,000 in this venture. Mr. HULE further related is in his constant contact with Ray through Attorney Hanes in the form of written questions and answers by Ray. These items include names of cities, states, places, maps and individuals contacted by Ray as well as apprehension in England. apprehensions in England, of his escape from prison to his contact Mr. Hulle stated that he has been refused personal contact Ray by Ray Judge of Preston Battle, the judge who will handle the trial. Mr. Hue further stated that that he desires to obtain current circumstances, provided photographs of Ray that he would obtain a full-time photograph of Ray and he received to date to the Bureau on a confidential basis provided his request could be met. He was advised that this Bureauau could be taken by state officials or courts. suggest action taken by State officials or court. On August 27, 1968, Mr ., Robert Owen of your Division was advised That William Bradford Hale has obtained notes from James Earl Hay, and Mr. Rule is preparing an article in "Look" magazine based on these notes, Mr." Owen advised the "look" or "look-up" magazine on the question notes, Mrs. Owen advised warrant or suppena due to the question for Mr. Rule's notes and/or calling Mr. Hale before a grand jury. REL:rpr (4):1) 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI and law enforcement activities related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and subsequent investigations into James Earl Ray’s trial. William Bradford Hule, an author, had a contract with Ray to document his activities, including escape from prison in England. Hule provided information through correspondence with Ray’s attorney, Arthur Hanes, detailing Ray’s movements and contacts. The FBI considered sharing this information with state prosecutors but faced legal restrictions on disclosure. Court motions by Hanes were denied, and evidence such as a car under Eric S. Galt’s name in Atlanta was held by Memphis authorities. Sheriff Morris provided documents including a map of Ray’s escape route and a letter from Ray to his sister, Mrs. Carol Pepper. Questions about Ray’s prison life and escape methods were prepared for further investigation. The FBI declined interview requests with David L. Lewis regarding civil rights and MLK due to existing published materials.  

The FBI also investigated claims of a $100,000 bounty on MLK’s head, which Donald James Missen allegedly heard in 1967. Missen was declared a federal fugitive for parole violations but surrendered to authorities in 1968. Communications mentioned Shelton’s legal discussions with Arthur Hanes and Ed Blanton regarding appeals, including Shelton’s attempt to secure financial support for Ray’s defense through UKA fundraising efforts. Informants reported discrepancies in Ray’s alibi and Shelton’s interactions with Hanes and Blanton.  

An FBI memorandum dated August 19, 1968, addressed a citizens band radio transmission on April 4, 1968, the day of MLK’s assassination. The transmission described an unidentified individual in a blue Pontiac pursuing a white Mustang, alleged to be associated with the assassination. Memphis Police Department and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office investigated but could not identify the sender due to lack of self-identification or corroborating evidence. The FBI concluded no further action was warranted, citing discrepancies such as the transmission occurring over thirty minutes after the assassination and conflicting location details.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Accused of assassinating MLK; his trial involved legal motions by Arthur Hanes and interactions with William Bradford Hule.  
- **Arthur Hanes**: Ray’s attorney who filed motions to quash indictments and withdrew pleas during the trial.  
- **William Bradford Hule**: Author who purchased Ray’s story, prepared an article for *Look* magazine, and provided information on Ray’s activities.  
- **Robert M. Shelton**: Imperial Wizard of the United Klans of America (UKA) involved in legal discussions with Hanes and Ed Blanton regarding appeals.  
- **Ed Blanton**: Attorney representing Shelton and Ray; received a $1,000 retainer from Shelton.  
- **Donald James Missen**: Allegedly claimed a $100,000 bounty on MLK’s head; surrendered to FBI after being declared a fugitive.  
- **Mrs. Carol Pepper**: Ray’s sister who received a letter from him.  
- **Edward LeLaster Montedonico, Jr.**: Suspect mentioned as a potential source of the CB radio transmission.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK’s assassination and state trial for James Earl Ray; location of Memphis Police Department and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office investigation.  
- **Hartside, Alabama**: Hule’s residence where he was interviewed.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Provincial Hotel where Eric S. Galt resided in 1967.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Storage location for Ray’s car under Eric S. Galt’s name.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Site of Ray’s escape route detailed in a map from Sheriff Morris.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Location of informants’ reports on Shelton’s interactions with Hanes and Blanton.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Where Missen surrendered to FBI after parole violations.  
- **Chicago, Illinois**: Involved in Hule’s investigation related to Ray’s alleged employment at the Indian Trail Restaurant.  

Key Events  
- **Contract between William Bradford Hule and James Earl Ray**: Hule documented Ray’s activities, including escape from prison and plans to flee to Mexico.  
- **Filing of motions by Arthur Hanes**: Attempted to quash indictments and withdraw pleas during Ray’s trial.  
- **Discovery of evidence**: A car under Eric S. Galt’s name in Atlanta was held by Memphis authorities; Sheriff Morris provided a map of Ray’s escape route and a letter from Ray to his sister.  
- **FBI’s legal restrictions on disclosure**: Considered sharing Hule’s information with state prosecutors but faced constraints.  
- **Legal discussions between Shelton, Hanes, and Blanton**: Shelton sought financial support for Ray’s defense through UKA fundraising efforts.  
- **Informants’ reports**: Discrepancies in Ray’s alibi and Shelton’s interactions with Hanes and Blanton were noted.  
- **Missen’s bounty claim**: Alleged $100,000 bounty on MLK’s head; Missen surrendered to FBI after being declared a fugitive.  
- **CB radio transmission investigation**: Memphis Police Department and FBI could not identify the sender of the April 4, 1968, transmission due to lack of evidence.  
- **FBI’s recommendation against further action**: Based on discrepancies in the CB radio transmission timing and location details.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into MLK’s assassination, Ray’s trial, and Missen’s bounty claim; authored memoranda on the CB radio transmission.  
- **Shelby County, Tennessee State Attorney General’s Office**: Handled state prosecution of James Earl Ray.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Investigated the CB radio transmission and held evidence from the murder scene.  
- **United Klans of America (UKA)**: Engaged in fundraising efforts to support Shelton’s legal case.  
- **U.S. Parole Board**: Involved in Missen’s fugitive status due to parole violations.

MLK Declassified Files

190-hq-709_bulky_231_sec_004_ser_231_only-part_05_of_14.pdf

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