</s>Memphis teletype re call from Jensen: Dr. Jerry T. Francisco, Medical Brainer, University of Tennessee, at Memphis advised that an autopsy was performed on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr ., on night of 4/4/last. He said that an official written autopsy report will be available said that Dr. Franklin Luther King Jr. on night off of 4 /4/1/last, He /16/east. Dr. Francisco furnished the following information concerning his findings at the time of the autopsy. The missile entered the right jaw of Dr. King, 61 inches superimposed to the right heel of the head positioned inches superior to the left heel of his head positionioned to correspond with the path of the missile. The missile included the spinal cord and came to rest beneath the skin severed to the final resting point of the neck. the mid-line of the back. The thickness from the point of entry to the Final resting point is the micromoleum was 81 inches. bullet entered the left jaw of Mr. King and traveled 8inches through the flesh coming to rest of the point just beneath the skin 3 inches to the last of Dr King's jaw and traveled backbones. the official cause of death to be shot wound to thoracic cord. The death certificate will be avallable from Health Department on 4/16 /negit. Copy of their autopsy death certificate will be obtained. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI and CIA investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray as a suspect. The autopsy conducted by Dr. Jerry T. Francisco on April 4, 1968, revealed a bullet trajectory through King’s spinal cord, with the cause of death attributed to a shot wound to the thoracic cord. Ray was identified through fingerprint comparisons with items linked to the crime, including weapons purchased in Birmingham and Memphis. The FBI sought information on Edwin Mason, a U.S. national under surveillance in Colombia, and tracked a Ford Fairlane automobile registered to Charles Leroy Sell in Maryland. Ray’s aliases (Eric Starvo Galt) and alleged associations with anti-Negro groups were noted, alongside his fugitive status following a 1967 prison escape. CIA reports from April 1968 mentioned detained Americans in Panama, though no direct link to MLK was established. The investigation included interviews with individuals like Earl Smith (Air Force explosives technician) and Melba Marie Ryan (Ray’s sister), as well as efforts to locate Ray through informants and surveillance. A caller to a San Francisco radio station in 1966 alleged Adam Clayton Powell offered money for King’s death, though this was not corroborated by authorities. The FBI coordinated with the Justice Department on jurisdictional issues for warrants, while Memphis Health Department issued a death certificate on April 16, 1968.  

Key People  
- **Dr. Jerry T. Francisco**: Medical examiner who performed MLK’s autopsy.  
- **James Earl Ray (Eric Starvo Galt)**: Identified as the suspect; linked to purchased weapons and fugitive status.  
- **Edwin Mason**: U.S. national under surveillance in Colombia; passport number 7258751 (SSN redacted).  
- **Earl Smith**: Memphis resident with Air Force explosives technician background, approached about a plot against MLK.  
- **Melba Marie Ryan**: Ray’s sister; mentioned in connection to his activities.  
- **Charles Leroy Sell**: Registered owner of the Ford Fairlane linked to Ray.  
- **Adam Clayton Powell**: Alleged to have offered $200,000 for King’s death (unverified).  
- **Reverend A.B. Williams** and **Mrs. Ward**: Discussed MLK’s brother’s death and alcohol use in private conversations.  
- **William David Pailey Jr.**: Seller involved in transactions related to Galt; noted conflicting dates and photographic analysis.  
- **U.S. Attorney Macon Weaver** and **District Attorney Earl Earga**: Involved in legal proceedings in Birmingham.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of the assassination; binoculars and other items recovered here.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Location where weapons (rifle, telescope) were purchased.  
- **Colombia (Bogota)**: Edwin Mason surveilled at Tequemada Hotel.  
- **Panama City, Panama**: Detention of Tom Wolman and Douglas Barry Hollard (no direct link to MLK).  
- **Maryland**: Charles Leroy Sell’s residence; Ford Fairlane with tags 4120 registered here.  
- **Culver City, California**: Avalon Cleaners (laundry records tied to Galt’s activities).  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Jurisdiction for federal warrant issuance; linked to conspiracy discussions.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Autopsy of MLK revealed bullet trajectory and cause of death.  
- **April 20–21, 1968**: FBI and CIA coordinated efforts to verify Ray’s identity, passport details, and locate him.  
- **Fingerprint Analysis**: Latent prints from the crime scene matched Ray’s fingerprints found on weapons and items in Memphis.  
- **Surveillance of Edwin Mason**: CIA requested verification of Mason’s identity and passport in Los Angeles.  
- **Vehicle Investigation**: Ford Fairlane with Maryland tags traced to Charles Leroy Sell, though no direct link to Ray confirmed.  
- **Legal Proceedings**: Discussions between U.S. Attorney Macon Weaver and District Attorney Earl Earga regarding conspiracy in Birmingham.  
- **Photographic Analysis**: William David Pailey Jr. and others conducted analysis of Galt’s images; Thermo-Seal machine samples referenced.  
- **Wanted Flyers**: Spanish-language flyers distributed for Galt, including details on his appearance and alleged activities.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Led the primary investigation into MLK’s assassination, coordinating with local and international agencies.  
- **Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)**: Assisted in verifying Edwin Mason’s identity and tracking suspects abroad.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Involved in evidence collection and procedures related to the case.  
- **Bureau of Motor Vehicles**: Checked vehicle registration for the Ford Fairlane linked to Ray.  
- **U.S. Immigration Service**: Mentioned in context of Edwin Mason’s surveillance.  
- **Avalon Cleaners (Culver City, California)**: Provided laundry records tied to Galt’s activities.  
- **Secret Service**: Involved in monitoring potential threats to U.S. officials, including the case of Francis Dorey Harris.

MLK Declassified Files

190-hq-709_bulky_231_sec_005_ser_231_only-part_07_of_12.pdf

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