</s>Mr. DeLeach May 9, 1988 1 - Mr. DeLoch 1 -Mr. D.Leach 1 -mr. Blaohr A. Rosen 1-Mr. Rosen 1 -1- Mr. Bihop 1-mr. Salley 1-1- M.r. Conrad MURKIN 1- 1- Mrr. Gale 1-M. McGowan 1- mr. Sullivan 1-m. Trotter 1-2. Martininale 1-3. Mr. Martininogh 1.Mr. Cale This case involves the murder of Martin Luther King, Jr. Attached is a photograph of Ray that has just been obtained from the Postal Inspector of Los Angeles. It has been deterred from Identifying numbers in the back of this Polaroid print that the film was Identifying members on August, 1907. The photograph was mailed on or about 2/17/7/2001. In August, 1967. The photographer was wanted or about is considered the best picture of Ray. Through obtained since it took this detail of the lines and features of this face than previous photographa have shown. ACTION: This photograph is being duplicated for wide distribution through field offices and Legats. Enclosure W.L.Livren (14) 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray as a suspect. Key elements include Ray’s prison records from Missouri State Penitentiary, noting financial transactions and an alleged escape via a bread truck on 4/23/67. The FBI prioritized the case as a Top Ten fugitive investigation, circulated Ray’s photograph obtained from Los Angeles Postal Inspector in August 1967, and sought leads on his movements between Los Angeles, New Orleans, Mexico City, and other locations. Financial records show deposits to Ray’s prison account, including $15 on 2/8/67. The FBI also investigated claims linking Ray to narcotics activities, mental health issues (obsessive-compulsive tendencies, amphetamine use), and alleged connections to criminal networks in Missouri prisons. Discrepancies were noted in accounts of Ray’s escape and prison associations, with some individuals like Earl William Ray (Columbia, Mississippi) ruled out as suspects. Investigations into Louis Lomax’s alleged ties to the case included his media appearances and interactions with FBI personnel. The FBI coordinated with international law enforcement in Mexico City and Ottawa, Canada, and sought information from journalists like Everett Collier of the Houston Chronicle.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin of MLK Jr., described as having mental health issues, a history of drug use, and associations with criminal networks.  
- **Louis Lomax**: Writer/television personality; provided information on Ray’s movements and alleged contradictions in FBI evidence.  
- **Charles Stein**: Linked to New Orleans, alleged narcotics activities, and phone calls with Ray.  
- **John Gavron (Uncle Jack)**: St. Louis resident who taught Ray to use gloves and noted his drinking habits.  
- **James W. Brown**: Former prison associate of Ray; reported Ray’s alleged threats against MLK Jr. and criminal history.  
- **Leo Barnett**: Prison contact who described Ray’s mental health issues and amphetamine use.  
- **Neal Edgar Abey**: Prisoner allegedly connected to Ray, provided details on his prison activities and escape methods.  
- **Dennis Eryell**: Individual linked to Ray’s movements; mentioned in investigations of alleged prison associations.  
- **SAC Harry Morgan**: FBI special agent in Cincinnati involved in the case.  
- **Mr. Rosen, C.L. McGowan, Mr. Gale, Mr. DeLoach**: FBI personnel handling case details and coordination.  
- **Everett Collier**: Editor of the Houston Chronicle; assisted in tracking leads related to Ray.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Case origin; FBI prioritized investigation here.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Postal Inspector involved in obtaining Ray’s photograph; Ray allegedly stayed at St. Francis Hotel.  
- **New Orleans**: Central to Ray’s alleged movements, with ties to Charles Stein and a suspected phone booth used for calls.  
- **Mexico City, Mexico**: Investigated as a possible location for Ray based on alleged travel plans.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Ray’s incarceration; financial records and prison associations reviewed.  
- **San Antonio, Texas**: Search for a telephone booth allegedly used by Ray during travel.  
- **Brunswick, Canada**: Alleged meeting between Ray and a prostitute named Mona Lulu.  
- **Ottawa, Canada**: U.S. Legal Attaché office involved in international investigations.  

Key Events  
- **Circulation of Ray’s photograph** for investigative purposes after obtaining it from Los Angeles Postal Inspector in August 1967.  
- **Review of Ray’s prison financial records** (Missouri State Penitentiary) and discrepancies noted in his escape details (4/23/67).  
- **FBI prioritization of the case** as a Top Ten fugitive investigation with strict lead-handling protocols.  
- **Investigation into Ray’s alleged narcotics activities** in New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Mexico.  
- **Phone records checks** from Texas and Los Angeles to refute claims of New Orleans connections.  
- **Search for a telephone booth** allegedly used by Ray during travel between Los Angeles and New Orleans.  
- **Interviews with prisoners** like Neal Edgar Abey, who described Ray’s prison activities and escape methods.  
- **Coordination with international law enforcement** in Mexico City and Ottawa, Canada, to investigate potential leads.  
- **Clarification that Earl William Ray (Columbia, Mississippi)** was not the suspect.  
- **Investigation into Louis Lomax’s alleged ties** to the case, including his media appearances and interactions with FBI personnel.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Central agency conducting investigations, coordinating with local and international law enforcement.  
- **Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)**: Mentioned in context of Dorothy D. Cotton’s role providing information on Ray’s activities.  
- **U.S. Legal Attaché offices**: In Mexico City and Ottawa, Canada, involved in international intelligence gathering.  
- **Houston Chronicle**: Reporter Everett Collier assisted in tracking leads related to Ray’s movements.  
- **Cincinnati Police Department**: Collaborated with FBI special agent SAC Harry Morgan on case details.

MLK Declassified Files

190-hq-709_sec_011_ser_231_only-part_6_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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