</s>determine from visual examination whether or not a bullet or any bullet fragments had passed through or struck these items. No bullet holes were found in Q79 through Q85. collar, the edges of the hole torn in the Q79 shirt collar, and the edges off the three tears on the collar of the Q78 suit coat and the material near the ends of the Q77 necktie were contaminated with traces of lead which could have come from a bullet or from bullet fragments. The lead contamination of these items could not be associated with a particular bullet or lead source. Page 2 PC-A5530 EX GH JV 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

**Analysis of FBI Documents Related to Martin Luther King Jr.'s Assassination (April 1968)**  

### **Key Findings and Context**  
The provided documents are part of an FBI investigation into the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was shot on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The reports include forensic evidence, witness statements, and interviews with individuals connected to James Earl Ray (the accused), as well as broader context about potential conspiracies or motives.

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### **1. Forensic Evidence and Crime Scene Analysis**  
- **Location and Positioning**:  
  - Engineers measured the exact location where Dr. King was shot on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel. The spot was determined to be **59 inches above the balcony floor**, based on the autopsy report.  
  - The distance from the second-floor window (where the assassin fired) to the point where King stood was calculated as **206.36 feet**. The downward angle of the shot was measured at **36 minutes and 25 seconds**.  

- **Ballistics and Weapon**:  
  - A **Remington Model 760 rifle** (serial #461476) with a latent fingerprint linked to James Earl Ray was recovered from the scene. The rifle’s telegraphic sight (serial SA17350) also had Ray’s fingerprints.  

- **Witness Accounts**:  
  - Reverend James Bevel, an SCLC representative staying at the Lorraine Motel, confirmed King’s position on the balcony when he was shot. This helped establish the trajectory of the bullet.  

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### **2. Suspect Connections: James Earl Ray**  
- **Fingerprint Evidence**:  
  - Latent fingerprints found on the rifle, binoculars, and a Schitz beer can were matched to **James Earl Ray (FBI #405942G)**, confirming his physical presence at the crime scene.  

- **Interviews with Harry Sero**:  
  - Harry Sero, a former inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary, claimed he had conversations with James Earl Ray in 1964–1965 about potential motives for killing King. Sero described Ray as a "hayseed" (a derogatory term) who idolized notorious criminals and had a deep need for recognition.  
  - Sero stated that Ray **never mentioned any plan to kill King**, but he speculated that Ray might have acted out of ideological opposition to civil rights activism or personal resentment toward Black leaders.  

- **Ray’s Motives**:  
  - The FBI noted Ray’s history of criminal activity, including a 1964 parole violation and association with other inmates. Sero suggested Ray may have been influenced by anti-Black sentiment but lacked the resources or connections to orchestrate an assassination.  

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### **3. Interviews and Witness Statements**  
- **Economy Rooming House in Birmingham (Alabama)**:  
  - The FBI interviewed individuals who stayed at a rooming house in Birmingham during September 1967, when Ray was believed to have been in the area. No one recalled seeing Ray or anyone matching his description.  
  - A witness named Franklin stated he saw articles about the King assassination but did not recognize the suspect’s sketch or recall anyone at the rooming house driving a white Mustang (Ray’s car).  

- **Potential Conspiracies**:  
  - Sero claimed that inmates discussed an "economic boycott" in Memphis, which could have been a cover for plans to harm King. However, he later clarified this was speculative and had no factual basis.  
  - The FBI noted that Ray may have acted alone, as there was **no evidence of a broader conspiracy** or bounty on King’s life.  

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### **4. Broader Context and Unresolved Questions**  
- **Ray’s Escape**:  
  - Ray fled the U.S. after the assassination, evading capture for years. The FBI concluded that he likely acted alone but could not confirm his exact role without further evidence.  

- **Public Reaction and Legacy**:  
  - The documents reflect the FBI’s focus on Ray as the primary suspect while acknowledging gaps in the investigation. No conclusive proof of a conspiracy was found, though the case remains controversial due to Ray’s evasion of justice and lack of direct evidence linking him to the assassination.  

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### **Conclusion**  
The FBI’s investigation centered on James Earl Ray as the sole perpetrator, supported by forensic evidence (fingerprints, weapon) and witness accounts. However, the documents also highlight uncertainties: Ray’s motives remain speculative, and no definitive proof of a larger conspiracy was found. The case underscores the challenges of linking circumstantial evidence to criminal intent in high-profile assassinations.  

**Note**: These documents are part of an FBI file from 1968 and do not include conclusions or recommendations, as stated in the text. The full story of King’s assassination remains a subject of historical debate.

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_159-04-part_4_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

Key Findings and Context

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