</s>Memorandum to Mr. Deloach RE: NURKIN with defendants and witnesses who appear nervous or who do not sometimes understand legal procedures. According to the files of the Bureau and our Memphis office, Judge Battle has been in the subject of two Civil Rights complaints, both in 1966, the subject case, the District Court has been illegally extracted and the judge told him that regardless of how he had been returned to Memphis, an indentment was outstanding against him and he was going to get in his courtroom that Judge Battle told a prisoner to be quiet in his courtroom and therefore in both this was a violation of the victim's civil rights. in both right division of the Department and therefore, in the Civil Right Division of the Departament. was requested by the Department. The Bureau files, as well as the Memphis files, contain no information of a derogatory nature concerning Judge Battle. ACTION: For your information. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176 -2-

Summary  
The documents detail James Earl Ray’s extradition from England to Tennessee in July 1968, including his transport under FBI supervision via a U.S. Air Force plane to Memphis Naval Air Station. Upon arrival, Shelby County Sheriff William N. Morris assumed custody of Ray, who was processed by customs and transported in an armored van escorted by sheriff’s vehicles to Shelby County Jail. A court appearance before Judge W. Preston Battle on July 10, 1968, set his trial for November 12, 1968. Security measures included searches, photography, and video recording of attendees. Ray exhibited compliance during transport, declined food/drinks, and received aspirin for a headache. The documents also reference Ray’s alleged involvement in a jewelry store holdup in London, identified by a jeweler, though Scotland Yard requested confidentiality on this matter.  

Ray’s movements in London between May 1968 and July 1968 are detailed, including stays at Heathfield House Hotel (5/27/68) and New Earls Court Hotel. A hotel proprietor identified him as Ramon George Seyd, with a signature resembling Ray’s found in the guest book. An attempted jewelry store robbery on 5/27/68 linked to Ray via fingerprints is noted, as well as a bank robbery on 6/4/68 attributed to him based on fingerprint evidence. Legal efforts in London sought extradition, delayed by disputes over legal aid. Correspondence between Arthur J. Hanes (Ray’s attorney) and the U.S. Attorney General outlines extradition procedures and Ray’s request to accompany him during transport. A separate memo references the successful extradition of Ray from Great Britain to Memphis, Tennessee, on July 19, 1966, involving FBI agents, Air Force personnel, and Shelby County authorities.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray: Accused of assassinating Martin Luther King Jr., extradited from England to Tennessee.  
- Judge W. Preston Battle: Shelby County Criminal Court judge overseeing Ray’s trial.  
- Sheriff William N. Morris: Shelby County sheriff managing Ray’s custody.  
- FBI Special Agent Kenneth L. Bounds: Participated in Ray’s transport and custody transfer.  
- Arthur J. Hanes: Ray’s attorney, communicated with U.S. Attorney General regarding extradition.  
- Harold Brown, John A. Lang, Frank Simolinkis, Fred M. Vinson, Jr., Ramsey Clark: Officials involved in legal and administrative processes.  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee: Shelby County Jail, Naval Air Station (transportation hub).  
- London, England: Heathfield House Hotel, New Earls Court Hotel, sites of alleged crimes.  
- Birmingham, Alabama: Hanes and Hanes Attorneys at Law.  
- Washington, D.C.: Department of Justice offices.  

Key Events  
- Extradition of James Earl Ray from England to Tennessee on July 18, 1968 (and separately referenced as July 19, 1966).  
- Court appearance before Judge W. Preston Battle on July 10, 1968, setting trial for November 12, 1968.  
- Attempted jewelry store robbery on 5/27/68 linked to Ray via fingerprints.  
- Bank robbery on 6/4/68 attributed to Ray based on fingerprint evidence.  
- Legal aid disputes in London delaying extradition proceedings.  
- Correspondence between Arthur J. Hanes and the U.S. Attorney General regarding extradition procedures.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Oversaw Ray’s extradition, custody transfer, and investigation.  
- Scotland Yard: British police involved in identifying Ray and handling extradition matters.  
- Department of Justice (U.S.): Administered legal processes for extradition and trial.  
- U.S. Air Force: Facilitated transportation of Ray from London to Memphis.  
- Shelby County Sheriff’s Office: Handled Ray’s incarceration and security details.

MLK Declassified Files

190-hq-709_sec_012_ser_231_only-part_08_of_11.pdf

Document Summary

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