</s>Director, FBI (44-38861) 6/10/70 Legat, London (88-72) (RUC) MURKIN Enclosed are two copies each of the following documents: 1. Letter from the Law Offices of FENSTERWALD and OHLHAUSEN to New Scotland Yard dated 5/19/70. 2. Letter From Bow Street Magistrates' Court dated 5/14/10 to FENSTEWALD and OHLHAUSEEN. It should be noted that item 1 reflects these individuals claim to be attorneys for JAMES EARL RAY, and they ask to borrow certain exhibits used in the extradition proceedings. Item #2 refers the attorneys to Scotland Yard. New Scotland Yard furnished copies of the enclosed items and advised that they do not intend to reply to the law firm. Above furnished for information. 9 - Bureau (Encls. 4) - Liaison London JTM.cm (5) 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations, legal proceedings, and allegations surrounding the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and James Earl Ray’s post-conviction activities. On April 28, 1970, the Memphis FBI office issued an affidavit denying claims that agents bribed witnesses during the MLK investigation, specifically refuting allegations against Charles Qunitan Stephens, a tenant at the Lain Street house in Memphis where MLK was killed. A separate affidavit from the Atlanta FBI office, filed on May 26, 1970, addressed Ray’s extradition and post-conviction relief petition in Shelby County Criminal Court, Tennessee.  

In February 1970, the FBI received correspondence from Robert C. Cole, a Veterans Hospital patient in Chillicothe, Ohio, alleging that Ray was paid by "Big D" (Madison Avenue, New York) to assassinate MLK and that CIA involvement existed in a conspiracy involving the Minutemen and Robert Pugh. The FBI investigated Cole’s claims, noting his history of alcoholism, mental health issues, and prior law enforcement interactions. On February 6, 1970, John A. Parker, Clerk of the Tennessee Supreme Court, forwarded Cole’s letters to legal officials and the FBI, including allegations of judicial bias against Ray.  

Judge W. Preston Battle of Shelby County Criminal Court reported in December 1965 that an individual claimed Ray killed a Black man in Virginia in 1963. In January 1970, Judge Robert H. McRae Jr., U.S. District Court in Memphis, referred anonymous communications related to MLK’s assassination to the FBI for handwriting analysis. The Tennessee Supreme Court denied Ray’s petition for certiorari in 1970, rejecting claims that his guilty plea to first-degree murder was involuntary.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Accused of assassinating MLK; subject of extradition proceedings, post-conviction relief petitions, and allegations of conspiracy.  
- **Robert C. Cole**: Veterans Hospital patient in Chillicothe, Ohio; alleged witness to Ray’s activities in Virginia in 1968 and claimed CIA involvement in a conspiracy.  
- **John A. Parker**: Clerk of the Tennessee Supreme Court; forwarded Cole’s letters to legal officials and the FBI.  
- **Judge W. Preston Battle**: Shelby County Criminal Court judge; reported claims about Ray’s activities in Virginia in 1963.  
- **Judge Robert H. McRae Jr.**: U.S. District Court judge in Memphis; referred anonymous communications related to MLK’s assassination to the FBI.  
- **John Hamilton Morris**: Journalist incarcerated in Los Angeles County Jail; alleged that Ray was paid by "Big D" (Madison Avenue, New York) to assassinate King and claimed CIA involvement in a conspiracy.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK’s assassination; location of Shelby County Criminal Court, U.S. District Court, and FBI offices.  
- **Chillicothe, Ohio**: Home of Robert C. Cole’s Veterans Hospital.  
- **Winchester, Virginia**: Alleged location where Cole claimed to have seen Ray in 1968.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Location of Los Angeles County Jail and Atascadero State Hospital (where Morris was incarcerated).  
- **Jackson, Tennessee**: Site of the Tennessee Supreme Court.  

Key Events  
- **April 28, 1970**: FBI Memphis office issued an affidavit denying bribery allegations during MLK assassination investigation.  
- **February 6, 1970**: FBI received letters from Robert C. Cole alleging Ray’s involvement in a conspiracy to kill MLK and CIA participation.  
- **January 28, 1970**: John A. Parker forwarded Cole’s claims to Tennessee officials and the FBI, including judicial bias allegations against Ray.  
- **December 4, 1965**: Judge W. Preston Battle reported a phone call claiming Ray killed a Black man in Virginia in 1963.  
- **February 1970**: James Earl Ray filed a petition to compel his former attorney, Percy Forman, to turn over documents for his defense.  
- **December 1, 1969**: Morris pleaded guilty to Title 18, Section 213(a) charges, with trial postponed until December 1, 1969.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into MLK’s assassination, produced affidavits, and analyzed handwriting from anonymous communications.  
- **Civil Rights Division**: Involved in MLK assassination investigation; referenced State Department telegrams from October 24–28, 1969.  
- **Shelby County Criminal Court, Tennessee**: Handled post-conviction relief petitions for James Earl Ray.  
- **Tennessee Supreme Court**: Forwarded correspondence regarding Cole’s claims and denied Ray’s petition for certiorari.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Involved in legal proceedings related to MLK assassination investigation.  
- **Atascadero State Hospital, California**: Documented John Hamilton Morris’s prior criminal history but noted he was not found criminally insane.  

Note: A social security number (SSN) associated with Robert C. Cole is present in the records and has been redacted as [SSN REDACTED].

MLK Declassified Files

190-hq-709_bulky_231_sec_007_ser_231_only-part_08_of_11.pdf

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