</s>PG 44-578 WLC(mtl) (222) SMOUSE advised that shortly after the State Police blew the siren, the man departed in a westerly direction in the above-described vehicle. SMOUSEE described the man as follows: Age Build 30 - 36 Muscular Height 5'18" Hair Dark Eyes Complexion Dark Accent Dark Ether-western accent Appearance Generally giving appearance of Mexican extraction SMOUISE was shown all available photographs of JAMES EARL RAY, when he stated that in reviewing all the photographs, he doubts that the man who was in his service station was identical with the subject. The following investigation was conducted by SA LOY F. WEAVER: On May 9, 1968, STEPHEN IVAN STOLLER was located and interviewed by Williamson, W. Va. STOILLER said he was in attendance at meeting at the Paschal's Motel in Atlanta, Ga ., on March 14, 1968. He is unable to recall the names and descriptions of any other people present. He does recall being introduced to two white males in the lobby of the motel by CARL BRADEN of the Southern Conference Educational Fund (SCEF). He does not recall the names of either of these persons. The following is a description of STOELLER as obtained from observation and interview: 42 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail federal investigative activities in 1968 related to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on identifying suspects linked to the crime, verifying connections to organizations like the Southern Conference Educational Fund (SCEF), and tracing physical evidence such as laundry tags and vehicles. Key efforts included witness interviews describing a suspect matching James Earl Ray’s physical traits, fingerprint comparisons, inquiries into laundries for red cloth tags, and checks of dance studios and vehicle registrations. Investigations spanned multiple states, including Georgia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Florida, with federal agents coordinating with local law enforcement. No direct evidence linking suspects to MLK’s assassination was confirmed, though associations with SCEF and other entities were noted.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin of MLK; described by witnesses but not confirmed through photographic or fingerprint matches.  
- **Stephen Ivan Stoller**: Interviewed regarding a meeting at Paschal's Motel in Atlanta, introduced to two white males by Carl Braden (SCEF).  
- **Russell Griffin**: Fingerprinted and found not to match Ray.  
- **Martha Price**: Identified a man matching Ray’s description in Point Marion, Pennsylvania.  
- **Everett Eplin**: Barber who claimed to have cut the hair of a man resembling the MLK murderer.  
- **Carl Braden**: Associated with SCEF; introduced Stoller to two white males at Paschal's Motel.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt**: Later identified as James Earl Ray; investigated for connections to dance studios and vehicles.  
- Federal agents (e.g., SA Dean M. Howen, SA Eugene F. Cable, SA William T. Hendon, Jr.) conducted interviews and inquiries.  

Key Locations  
- **Paschal's Motel, Atlanta, Georgia**: Site of a meeting where Stoller was introduced to individuals linked to the investigation.  
- **Point Marion, Pennsylvania**: Location where Martha Price and Russell Griffin were involved in the investigation.  
- **Charleston, West Virginia**: Where Everett Eplin claimed to have cut the hair of the suspect.  
- **Baileysville, West Virginia**: Home of Raymond Short, who reported seeing a man resembling Ray.  
- **Beckley, W. Va.; Ambridge, Pa.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Warren, Pa.; Greensburg, Pa.; New Kensington, Pa.; Corapolis, Pa.; Parkersburg, W. Va.; Fairmont, W. Va.; Mercer, McDowell, and Wyoming Counties, W. Va.**: Locations where agents checked laundries for thermo-seal machines and tags.  
- **Continental Dance Studios (Pittsburgh, PA)**: Investigated for Eric Starvo Galt’s potential ties.  

Key Events  
- **Witness identifications**: Multiple individuals described a man matching James Earl Ray’s physical traits but could not confirm his identity.  
- **Fingerprint comparisons**: Russell Griffin was fingerprinted and found not to match Ray.  
- **Laundry tag inquiries**: Agents checked laundries for red cloth tags and thermo-seal machines using codes like "O2B-6" and "D2B-6," but no direct links to MLK’s assassination were found.  
- **Vehicle checks**: Georgia-licensed cars linked to Eric Starvo Galt were traced, with no stolen vehicles reported.  
- **Dance studio investigations**: No records of GALT as a student or instructor were found at Pennsylvania and West Virginia studios.  

Key Organizations  
- **Southern Conference Educational Fund (SCEF)**: Carl Braden was associated with this organization, which Stoller claimed introduced him to two white males at Paschal's Motel.  
- **Federal agencies**: FBI and local law enforcement conducted interviews, fingerprint checks, and laundry investigations.  
- **Pennsylvania State Police; West Virginia State Police**: Coordinated with federal agents during vehicle and studio checks.  
- **Local police departments**: In Pittsburgh, Erie, Beckley, Huntington, Morgantown, Fairmont, Bluefield, and other locations.

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_163-02-part_2_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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