</s>1/6/75 GENERAL INVESTATIVE DIVISION This pertains to the shooting death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr ., on 4/4/68. James Earl Ray has pled guilty to this murder and presently in local confinement. The attached from Atlanta Office advises of information furnished by one Leon Owen Powell who, in essence, claims he and his brother Claude Powell, Jr ., while in an Atlanta bar in early October - November, 1967, were approached by a mutual friend Ray Godfrey, who asked the Powell's if they were interested in making $50,000. Godfrey told them he would put them in contact with an individual who would pay them to murder King. Approximately one week later at same bar the Powells were approached by an individual named Ralph (Last name unknown) who said I guess you know why I'm here" and sub- sequentially opened his briefcase displaying what he said was $25,000, Powell said they told Ralph they needed time is to think up over. Ralph replied if your mind is not made up now, I can't do business with you." Powell said Ralph never said the money being offered was to kill King. Powell states neither he nor his brother involved in murder of King ., No identifiable information in Bureau files on Leon Owen Powell, Claude Powell , Jr . or Ray Godfrey. This will be discussed with Civil Rights Division of Department to determine if any investigation warranted. 1 - Mr. Callahan 1 - Mrs. Adams 1 -Mr. Moore 1 - M. Wannall. HNH:pdh 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail legal proceedings and investigative reports related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray's conviction in 1968. Key elements include motions to dismiss filed by Arthur J. Hanes, Sr., Percy Foreman, and William Bradford Hule, which argue jurisdictional issues regarding Ray’s trial in Tennessee. FBI case files reference "MURKIN" or "MURH-1-1," detailing Ray’s movements in 1967–1968, including his presence in Memphis, Tennessee, and connections to Raoul (Raul). Legal citations address domicile, residency, and venue disputes, with references to cases like *Nobuo Hiramatsu v. Phillips*. The text outlines a timeline of events from August–December 1967 to April 1968, including Ray’s alleged activities in Canada, Mexico, and Alabama. Trooper Paul Victor Esquivel is mentioned as a Louisiana State Police investigator with potential ties to the Memphis area during the assassination period.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (convicted of assassinating MLK)  
- Arthur J. Hanes, Sr. (filer of motion to dismiss)  
- Percy Foreman (attorney representing Ray)  
- William Bradford Hule (co-filer of motion to dismiss)  
- Raoul (Raul) (figure linked to assassination, existence remains controversial)  
- Paul Victor Esquivel (Louisiana State Police trooper; alleged involvement in investigation)  
- Charles J. Stein (suspect not recognized by Esquivel)  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis, Tennessee (site of MLK’s assassination and FBI SAC office)  
- Shelby County, Tennessee (Criminal Court where Ray pleaded guilty)  
- St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada (linked to Mrs. King’s residence)  
- Nashville, Tennessee (U.S. District Court handling legal proceedings)  

Key Events:  
- Legal motions to dismiss arguing improper venue for Ray’s trial  
- FBI investigations into Ray’s movements and connections to Raoul  
- Jurisdictional disputes over Ray’s residency and trial location  
- Timeline of events from 1967–1968, including Ray’s alleged activities in Canada, Mexico, and Alabama  
- Trooper Esquivel’s testimony about not recognizing Stein or Ray  
- Ray’s 1968 conviction for first-degree murder and 99-year sentence  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)  
- U.S. District Court, Nashville, Tennessee  
- Shelby County Criminal Court, Tennessee

MLK Declassified Files

190-hq-709_bulky_231_sec_006_ser_231_only-part_06_of_12.pdf

Document Summary

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