</s>FBI ATLANTA 1104 PM URGENT 4-19-68 ARK TO DIRECTOR, BIRMINGHAM, KANSAS CITY, LOS ANGELES, NEW ORLEANS, MEMPHIS, AND SPRINGFIELD FROM ATLANZA (44-2386) MURKIN SUMMARY OF INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED ATLANTAIN APRIL NINETEEN SIXTYEIGHT: RE REPORTED IDENTIFICATION OF GALT AS JOHN WILLARD: JOHN WILLARD PREVIOUSLY EMPLOYED ATLANTIA APRIL OR MAY SIXTYSEVEN IN TELEPHONE SALES. SOURCE ALSO MADE AVAILABLE A CARD HANDLED BY WILLARD AND BEARING RECORD, OF SALES IN WILLARD'S HANDWRITING. LABORATOR REPORTS HANDWRIING COMPARISON AS REFLECTED ON CARD IS NOT IDENTIAL WITH THAT IN LOWWER SIGNATURE OR OTHER KNOWN SPECIMENS AVAILABLE. BUREAU LABORATORY REPORTED EXAMINATION OF CARD COMPLETED BY WILLARO, LOCATED THREE LATENT FINGERPRINTS WHICH PRINTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS PRINETS OF WALTER A. WILLARD, FBI # FOUR FOUR EIGHT ZERO NINE FIVE NINE. WALTHER WILLARD EMPLOVED AS JOHN WILLARD COMPLETELY ELIMINATED BY PRINDS AND HANDRITING .. RE LAUNDRY MARK INVESTICATION. 44-23880-854 END PAGE ONE SEARCHED. INDEXED. SERIALIZED.FIELD. ADRI10-1868 FBI-ALANTA. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI investigations into individuals and events related to Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. James E. Ray, seeking psychological help for self-hypnosis in Los Angeles, was noted by Dr. Freeman as shy and introverted but without criminal or sexual issues. Ray's consultations were paid in cash, with his last payment via money order. Melvin Powers, operator of a book company in Los Angeles, is under investigation for potential ties to Ray. The FBI notes Ray's apparent financial stability despite claiming unemployment. George Wilburn Strength, described as unreliable and "armed and dangerous," was arrested in South Carolina on a bench warrant. His wife and attorney labeled him a con man with no credible information about King's assassination. Investigations into John Harrison and FNU Leonard were inconclusive. The FBI also tracked communications regarding King's itinerary, including flight details and movements in Atlanta, Memphis, and other locations. Latent fingerprints from items like maps and coat hangers were analyzed but did not match known suspects. References to "GALT" appear in multiple contexts, possibly as a pseudonym or alias.  

Key People:  
- James E. Ray (seeking psychological help for self-hypnosis)  
- Melvin Powers (book company operator under investigation)  
- George Wilburn Strength (unreliable suspect with criminal history)  
- Dr. Freeman (psychologist who evaluated Ray)  
- John Harrison, FNU Leonard (subjects of inconclusive investigations)  
- Robert Harvey Gault (individual referenced in birth records)  

Key Locations:  
- Los Angeles (Ray's residence and book company)  
- Atlanta, Georgia (FBI offices, 14th Street neighborhood checks)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI operations)  
- South Carolina (Strength's arrest location)  
- Knoxville, Tennessee (investigative references)  

Key Events:  
- FBI investigation into Ray's psychological consultations and financial activities  
- Arrest of George Wilburn Strength on a bench warrant in South Carolina  
- Tracking of King's itinerary via flight records and communications  
- Fingerprint analysis of items linked to the case (maps, coat hangers)  
- Cross-referencing of birth records and aliases (e.g., "GALT")  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Local law enforcement agencies (Atlanta, Memphis, South Carolina)  
- Book company operated by Melvin Powers  
- Psychological consultation services (Dr. Freeman's practice)

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_158-03-part_2_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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