</s>SL 44-775 HCK/ra1 4333 McPherson JOE BARROW JAMES NEELY 4339 JACK WORMAN SAM CRAMER WAYNE MISTER JERRY "D" C. TIZZGERALD JERKY "D." HENNEN JACK GRIMES 4639 11 EDGAR STONE 4337 11 RILEY PHILLIPS GARTER 11 11 11 RILLEY ARLLIS GREER 43373 11 MELVIN BURKE MELVILLE MC GAW 11 11 NAPOLEON JONES 14308 11 MELVEN LIPPINIPIN JOE GENNA 4312 11 BOE DALTON, manager of the rooming house at this address 4342 FRED MC GUIRE SA LOUIS F. CAPUTO AND SA THOMAS L. BUCKLEY 4483 JOHN MC VICKER ARTHUR DABOOT 11 11 WILLIAM SMITH 11 Mrs. ERNESTINE SMITH 4477 M. MABEL TAYLOR 11 Mrs. DOROTHY BLANCHARD 4473 11 CARL WESTERWEYER 1446 CARL SCHUMACHER CHARLES SCHUCHER SAM MISINANY 11 RONALD GILES 1457 11 Mrs. NITA CARNEAL Miss LINDA CARNEALL 1453 Sister VERA MARY LINNEYEER Father FRANCIS MAC NUTT 12℃ 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains an FBI FD-302 form dated May 7, 1968, detailing an interview with JOHN PAUL VELANTI, a former inmate at the Missouri State Penitentiary. Velanti described his interactions with JAMES EARL RAY during incarceration, noting that he did not recognize Ray in photographs or recall speaking to him. He mentioned Ray’s quiet demeanor and lack of attention-seeking behavior. Velanti also referenced other inmates, including NONEY EDEN (whose true name was JAMES EDEN) and COOLEY (a phonetic name for an unknown inmate). The document includes personal details about Velanti, such as his birthplace, height, weight, tattoos, and prison history. It also references a separate investigation into Eugene Warren, arrested in 1958 and incarcerated at the Missouri State Penitentiary, with descriptions of his physical attributes and tattoos. Mentions of organizations like the Ku Klux Klan are noted in context of potential involvement in threats against Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, though no direct evidence is provided.  

Key People  
- **JOHN PAUL VELANTI**: Former inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary; described interactions with JAMES EARL RAY and other inmates.  
- **JAMES EARL RAY**: Described as a quiet inmate who did not seek attention; his appearance was not recognized by Velanti in photographs.  
- **NONEY EDEN** (JAMES EDEN): Inmate nicknamed for pronunciation difficulties; mentioned in context of prison interactions.  
- **COOLEY**: Phonetically described inmate with unknown identity; referenced in prison associations.  
- **EUGENE WARREN**: Arrested in 1958, incarcerated at Missouri State Penitentiary; detailed physical description and tattoos provided.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** (Jefferson City, Missouri): Velanti’s incarceration history.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Velanti’s residence and FBI interview location.  
- **Metropolitan St. Louis Police Department**: Mentioned in context of records review for Eugene Warren.  

Key Events  
- **Velanti’s testimony about James Earl Ray**: Descriptions of Ray’s appearance, behavior, and lack of recognition in photographs.  
- **Prison interactions**: Velanti’s accounts of inmates like NONEY EDEN and COOLEY, including nicknames and prison dynamics.  
- **Eugene Warren’s incarceration**: Details of his arrest, sentencing, and physical description.  
- **References to threats against Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.**: Indirect mentions of organizations like the Ku Klux Klan potentially offering rewards for his death.  

Key Organizations  
- **Ku Klux Klan (KKK)**: Mentioned in context of potential involvement in threats against Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  
- **COOLEY’s Organization**: A phonetically described group or entity linked to an unknown inmate at the Missouri State Penitentiary.

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_161-02-part_1_of_3.pdf

Document Summary

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