</s>Memorandum to Mr. Gallagher NEI. MURKINI INTERVIEWS AND POLIGRAPH EXAMINATION OF ARNOLD RAY GODFREY. Ray Godfrey has been fully identified as Arnold Ray Godfrey and was interviewed on 1/17/16. He advised that he did not talk with either of the powells re the assassination of King nor did he denied all knowledge of any assassination plot as king. who he denied in all knowledge and of any assassination plot as ring. than Godfrey was interviewed by 1/13/76, he agreed to submit to polycrystal was contacted as the polygraph on 1/16/76 however, Godfrey stated I am innocent and then advised to he did he not wish to take any polygraph examination and FBI needs to talk to him. They should contact his attorney. did not wish he to inform him that he should contact him attorney. OTHER INVESTIGATION: Intensive additional investigation was consultant and Claude Powell of other relatives, associates, cts. and Leon and Claudia Powell of of Godfrey's. No information was developed during this extensive investigation to substationist this allegation and no information was developations this allegation was in anyway connected. with James Earl Hay. CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION. have been closely coordinated with the Civil Rights Division. Section, CID, advised it appeared all logical investigation Section, 2/27/76. Mr. Robert B. Murphy, Chief, Criminal and been conducted and he would contact Godfrey atorney to determine if Godfrey would be made available for further interviewing the Godfrey should be examination in an attempt to further resolve this matter. On 3/17//16, Mr. Godfrey advised that Godfrey is an attorney informed him that Godfrey feels he told the FBI everything, is informed him that godfrey feels he could be further interview and will not consent to a polygraphy examination this mattery to determine whether it should be presented to a federal to determinewhether it should he presented to the federal Grand Jury and whether Godfrey will be called before the Federal Grand Jury. Mr. Murphy stated that he would further review this matter to determine if there is any other logical investigation to be conducted and would advise if a decision is made to present this matter to a Federal Grand jury. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations from late 1975 to early 1976 into allegations of a plot to assassinate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on Arnold Ray Godfrey (referred to as "Ralph LNU"), the Powell brothers (Leon Owen Powell and Claude Powell, Jr.), and other associates. The Powells claimed they were approached by an unknown individual at Pete's Bar in Atlanta in 1967 or 1968 for $75,000 to kill King. FBI polygraph examinations of the Powells yielded inconclusive results for Leon and indicated truthfulness for Claude. Godfrey, a central figure, denied involvement in initial interviews but later refused further questioning. The FBI verified his military service records, checked vehicle ownership, and sought photographic identification of "Ralph Clud," described as a white male carpenter. Investigations also included reviewing employment records, bar patronage, and locations tied to the alleged meeting at Pete's Bar. James Earl Ray, the convicted assassin of King, is referenced in these documents.  

Key People  
- **Arnold Ray Godfrey** (also referred to as Ralph LNU): Central suspect; denied involvement in initial interviews but refused further questioning. Described as a regular at Pete’s Place and Bill Bailey’s Lounge.  
- **Leon Owen Powell**: Alleged to have been approached by "Ralph LNU" at Pete's Bar in November 1967.  
- **Claude Powell, Jr.**: Brother of Leon Powell; claimed the meeting with "Ralph LNU" occurred in March 1968.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Convicted of assassinating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968.  
- **Pete Davis**: Bar owner at Pete's Bar (deceased and not connected to the bar during the alleged incident).  
- **Raymond Godfrey**: Interviewed about Arnold Ray Godfrey; claimed no familial relation but knew him socially.  
- **Lee Carroll Godfrey**: Bandmate of Arnold Ray Godfrey; denied knowledge of an assassination plot.  
- **Ralph Clud**: Subject of photographic identification efforts; described as a white male, mid-40s, carpenter.  

Key Locations  
- **Pete's Bar** (Atlanta, Georgia): Alleged meeting location between the Powells and "Ralph LNU."  
- **Pete’s Place** (Moreland Avenue, Atlanta): Bar where Arnold Ray Godfrey and Claude Powell were frequent patrons.  
- **Bill Bailey’s Lounge**: Bartended by Hazel Evans (1966–1969); Arnold Ray Godfrey was a regular patron.  
- **The Office Bar** (Moreland and Flat Shoals Road, Atlanta): Owned by Diane Brady; Arnold Ray Godfrey occasionally played guitar there.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Location of VA records for Leon Powell’s military service.  

Key Events  
- **Alleged meeting at Pete's Bar (November 1967 or March 1968)**: The Powells claimed they were offered $75,000 to assassinate King by an unknown individual.  
- **Polygraph examinations**: Claude Powell’s results indicated truthfulness; Leon Powell’s were inconclusive.  
- **FBI investigation into Arnold Ray Godfrey**: Included verification of his military service, vehicle ownership, and bar associations.  
- **Photographic identification efforts**: Attempted to confirm the identity of "Ralph Clud" through follow-up on February 23, 1976.  
- **Employment record review**: Confirmed Arnold Ray Godfrey was on duty during October–November 1967 but had vacation days in April–May 1968.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, polygraph examinations, and photographic identification efforts.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division**: Coordinated with the FBI on investigations related to MLK’s assassination.  
- **Veterans Administration (VA)**: Provided military service records for Leon Powell, including a 1953 court-martial conviction.

MLK Declassified Files

190-hq-709_bulky_231_sec_006_ser_231_only-part_02_of_12.pdf

Document Summary

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