</s>(PD-283/Rev. 3-4-67) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION REPORTING OFFICE OFFICE OF ORIGIN. DATE INVESTIGATIVE PERIOD LOS ANGELES MEMPHIS 4/18/68 4/5 - 18/68 TITLE OF CASE REPORMADE BY UNSUB, aka REPORT MADE BY TYPED BY UNSUD, Starvo Galt, LEROY W. SHEDES Jae John Willard, CHARACTER OF CASE Harvey Loweryer - FUGUITIVE, D.S. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. VICTIM CR REFERENCES: Memphis teletype to Los Angeles dated, 4/5/68, Memphis telephone to the Bureau, et al, dated 4/6/68. Albany telephone to to the bureau, et all, dated 6/8/68 Butel to all, continental offices dated, 1/9/68- Atlanta telephone to Bureau, at et al. dated 4 /12/68 Bureau telephone call to Los Angeleu, dated 1/13/68 Memphis, teletype, to the Bureau, etal, dated 3/16/66. P- ADMINISTRATIVE This report contains only information relating to the #eettyities of BRIC STARVO between November, 1997, and March 16, 1968, the period of time, which Galt is known to have "ssessed in the Los Angeles, California, area. ACCOMPLISHMENTS CLAIMED NONE ACQUIRIE TALLS CASE MAK BEEN! (CONVIC AUTO, FLO) FINES SAVINGS NOVEMBER TALIS CASING ONE YEAR CASE MACHINATION OVER INSTRUCTION NO NO SPECIAL AGENT DO NOT WRITE IN SPACES BELOW COPOPIES MADE: IN CHARGE COPIESMADE: 4/2/26/86 802 Bureau (44-38861) Memphis (44)-1987) <loc_196><loc_716>(41-37/70) ATlanta, (41-47/80) SEARCHED IN INDEX <loc_663><loc_733>3-New Orleans (157-10573)

Summary  
The FBI documents detail an investigation into the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on forensic evidence recovered near the scene in Memphis, Tennessee, including binoculars (serial number SND/086664) and duck-billed pliers linked to Romage Hardware Company in Los Angeles. The binoculars were traced to an order placed by York Arms Company in October 1967, while the pliers were identified as merchandise sold by Romage Hardware. The investigation also examines BRIC STARVO (GALT), a fugitive associated with King’s assassination, including his residences in Los Angeles and Atlanta, and his connections to Charles J. Stein, Rita Stern, and Marie Martin. Additional inquiries involve thermo-seal laundry marks found near the assassination site, traced to Textile Marking Machine Company products, and interviews with Romage Hardware employees regarding potential sales of pliers. A 1966 white Mustang linked to Alabama license plate 1-38989 was located in Georgia in April 1968.  

Key People  
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (victim)  
- BRIC STARVO/GALT (fugitive under investigation)  
- Charles J. Stein, Rita Stern, Marie Martin (associates of Galt)  
- Thomas M. Ware, David Wear, John R. Scantland, Esther Metcalfe (Romage Hardware employees interviewed)  
- Dorothy Staves (Bushnell and Company sales manager)  
- Jack Edwin Jones, Dennis Shedrick, Donald M. Caldwell, Howard John Kellieher, Steven Hendrikis, Allan Osborne, Dean Whitmore, Dr. Maurice Seiderman, F. B. Jacquart, Everett Rutledge, Ernest Zazzarro, David Staley, Mrs. Lucy Pinella, Jay Vermon (individuals interviewed or mentioned in FBI records)  
- Hyman Beckman (Chevrolet service station owner)  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee (scene of the assassination)  
- Los Angeles, California (Galt’s residences, Romage Hardware store, Home Service Laundry and Dry Cleaning, Delite Laundry Company, H. Beckman Chevrolet Service Station)  
- Pasadena, California (Bushnell and Company)  
- Atlanta, Georgia (Galt’s residence)  
- Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles (locations tied to evidence recovery)  
- Tantawa, Georgia (abandoned car location)  
- Syracuse, New York (Textile Marking Machine Company)  

Key Events  
- Recovery of binoculars and pliers near the assassination site in Memphis.  
- FBI investigation into the origin of forensic evidence, including tracing items to Romage Hardware and Bushnell and Company.  
- Interviews with Romage Hardware employees regarding inventory and potential sale of pliers.  
- Documentation of Galt’s movements and associations in Los Angeles and Atlanta during 1967–1968.  
- Examination of laundry marks and vehicle records linked to the investigation.  
- Investigation into thermo-seal laundry marks found on clothing near the shooting site, traced to Textile Marking Machine Company products.  
- Inquiry into Jay Vermon’s acquisition and use of thermo-seal tapes at Home Service Laundry after taking over its operations in January 1968.  
- Examination of serial numbers and usage patterns of thermo-seal machines by various laundries and businesses.  
- Review of service orders and vehicle maintenance logs for a 1966 white Mustang linked to Alabama license plate 1-38989, found in Georgia in April 1968.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Romage Hardware Company (Los Angeles, California)  
- Bushnell and Company (Pasadena, California)  
- York Arms Company (Memphis, Tennessee)  
- Textile Marking Machine Company (Syracuse, New York)  
- Home Service Laundry and Dry Cleaning (Los Angeles)  
- Delite Laundry Company (Los Angeles)  
- H. Beckman Chevrolet Service Station (Los Angeles)

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_158-02-part_1_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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