</s>OPTIONAL FORM NO. 18 (BSA) (PAPA) (CPD) (CPP) 10-18 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum TO : SAC(44-2386) DATE: 4/25/68 FROM : SA ROBERT R. PERKY : SA ROBERT R. PERKY SUBJECT: MURKIN The following Car rental agencies were contacted 4/23/68 concerning cars rented from Mar 24-through April 6/68; Photo of RAY displayed; and inquiry made of any cars not accounted for: Hertz, 202 Courtland St ., Nf; Sherry Cunningham Avie, 143 Courtland Street, Nb; George Van Doan Budget Rent A Car, Dinkler Plaza Hotel; Ted Bill National Car Rental, Lucky Street; Becky Drum National Car Rent A car, Forsth Street; Denver Hoots, Jim Brumbelow Rich's Rent A C. Car, Forsyth Street; (also checked Lenox Rentals) (also checked Lennox Rentalls) Avis: 3190 Penchtree Road; NE; C.W.Polson Herttz, 3387 Peachtree Road; Standard Station; Jim Pressley American R-ntal, 3256 Peachtree (Amoco Station) Jerry Bigby National Car rental, 3411 Peachttree Road, NE(American Station) J C. Ca 44-2836-1961 SEARCHED SEARCHEO INDEXED SERIALIZED APR 25 1968 FBI-ATLANTA Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI and Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) activities from April 1968 related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK), focusing on surveillance, witness interviews, and vehicle tracking. Key elements include investigations into James Earl Ray (JER), a suspect linked to MLK’s murder, and his alleged associates. FBI agents checked car rental records in Atlanta for vehicles rented between March 24 and April 6, 1968, and verified JER’s photo. A cab driver, Jim Floyd Watson, reported dropping off a passenger resembling JER at an Atlanta theater on April 25, 1968; the individual was identified as Charles Bryan McCormick, employed by Deering Milligan until April 24, 1968. Robert Evans, a Memphis student, claimed to have seen two men near a filling station in Atlanta on April 24, 1968, using phone booths and possibly connected to MLK’s trip to Memphis. FBI efforts included checking psychiatric clinics, bars, and businesses in Missouri, California, and Tennessee for JER’s associates or drug suppliers. Alfred G. Schneider’s alleged threats against MLK were investigated but found lacking formal records. The North Georgia Decorating Company was targeted for potential connections to JER. Additional documents reference fragmented investigations into tire tread evidence linked to a white Mustang, laundry marks (code 20R-3), and inquiries into tire serial numbers associated with the vehicle. Interviews at Atlanta locations like the Park Hotel and Domino Lounge noted discussions about potential involvement in the assassination or related crimes. A GBI report described a 1968 blue Chevy Nova seen in Marietta matching JER’s description, with items found inside including a yellow pages telephone book and a black jacket. FBI memos mention threats against MLK by Fred Catalano of the National Socialist White People's Party (NSWP) and Paul Alvin Pail’s claims about Ray’s associations with criminal groups in Missouri.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray (JER)**: Central suspect in MLK’s assassination, identified through car rental records, witness descriptions, and tire tread evidence.  
- **Charles Bryan McCormick**: Identified as the passenger dropped off by Watson, employed by Deering Milligan until April 24, 1968.  
- **Robert Evans**: Witness who reported seeing two men near a filling station in Atlanta on April 24, 1968.  
- **Alfred G. Schneider**: Alleged threatener of MLK, investigated by FBI but found to have no formal record.  
- **Jerry D. Roseberry**: Complaint clerk who facilitated contact with Mrs. Lucas E. Birt for information on JER.  
- **Phillip Harold Pettipit**: Arrested for DUI offenses; described as having tattoos and a history of alcohol-related incidents.  
- **JAMES BAYES ADAMS**: Interviewed by FBI agents; claimed no connection to the assassination or fugitive Ray.  
- **Lewis Donda ("Whitey" Donda)**: Worked at the Bonanza Sirloin Pit in Marietta, Georgia; linked to a robbery attempt and connections with "Dink."  
- **Fred Catalano**: Leader of the National Socialist White People's Party (NSWP) in Chicago, allegedly involved in threats against MLK.  
- **Medizier**: Alleged to have made threats against MLK while in Chicago and associated with NSWP activities.  
- **Paul Alvin Pail**: Claimed knowledge of Ray’s associations and possible criminal ties.  
- **Neal Abbey**: Described as a close associate of Ray, potentially linked to crimes in Missouri.  

Key Locations  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Primary location for FBI interviews, car rental checks, and investigations; sites include SCLC headquarters, filling stations, Park Hotel, and Domino Lounge.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Focus of MLK’s assassination investigation; referenced in Evans’ account of his trip to Memphis.  
- **Marietta, Georgia**: Site of the Bonanza Sirloin Pit where Donda worked; location of a 1968 blue Chevy Nova matching JER’s description.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Bar known as Gaslight checked for JER’s presence.  
- **Kansas City, Missouri**: Drug supplier and bar investigations conducted.  
- **Lake Ozark, Missouri**: Narcotics purchasers traced to identify JER’s movements.  
- **Chicago, Illinois**: NSWP headquarters and Medizier’s alleged activities.  
- **Dallas, Texas**: Mentioned as a destination for Catalano and potential NSWP connections.  
- **High Point, North Carolina**: Residence of Peggy Folster, who reported on a 15-year-old boy from Mexico City.  

Key Events  
- **Car rental checks** (April 25–26, 1968): Traced vehicles rented between March 24 and April 6, 1968; verified JER’s photo.  
- **Cab driver testimony** (April 25, 1968): Watson identified McCormick as the passenger resembling JER.  
- **Witness interviews**: Evans’ account of two men using phone booths near Atlanta’s SCLC headquarters; FBI agents interviewed individuals at the Park Hotel and Domino Lounge.  
- **Laundry Mark Investigation**: Analysis of laundry marks (code 20R-3) linked to Ray’s possession and potential connections to the assassination.  
- **Tire Serial Number Inquiry**: Examination of tire tread designs (e.g., W7 71/X) associated with a white Mustang, possibly connected to Ray’s movements.  
- **Robbery attempt in Marietta** (linked to Lewis Donda and "Dink"): Dink allegedly left Marietta before the incident.  
- **Threats against MLK**: Alleged by Fred Catalano and Medizier through NSWP activities in Chicago.  
- **Investigation into Ray’s associates**: Including Paul Alvin Pail’s claims about Ray’s criminal ties and possession of a weapon.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted surveillance, interviews, and location checks across multiple cities; investigated tire evidence, laundry marks, and suspect interviews.  
- **Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)**: Involved in car sightings and forensic analysis of vehicles linked to the investigation.  
- **Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)**: Headquarters referenced in Evans’ account of MLK’s trip to Memphis.  
- **National Socialist White People's Party (NSWP)**: Allegedly involved in threats against MLK, with Medizier as an active member.  
- **Atlanta Police Department**: Collaborated with FBI on inquiries related to the assassination.  
- **Coca-Cola Company**: Mentioned in context of a suspect’s employment history (via N. P. Gault).  
- **Painters Local #226**: Union group checked for JER’s potential connections in Dalton, Georgia.

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_159-02-part_3_of_4.pdf

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