</s>FD - 245 (REV. 4-13-60) H. S. Department of Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILED) CUSTOMED BY THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF THE U.S.A. FEDERAL BUREAU FEDERAL BUREAU. ESTPacy SEE 100-00-0-0.0-2.0 INVESTIGATION ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED Bureau File Number 44-3868OR HISTORICAL DeclassifICATION Volume Number: Declassificat. ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED, HEREH IS UNCLASSIFFEEDSTO DECLASSIFICATION See also Nos. DO NOT DESTROY PRESERVE FOR SELECT COMMITTLE ON ASSASSINATIONS Complete Setien NO.9 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The text contains fragmented records related to James Earl Ray’s defense and public statements about his innocence, referencing Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), is mentioned as expressing confidence in Ray’s innocence and discussing potential conspiracies surrounding Dr. King’s death. A 1963 newspaper article notes Abernathy’s support for Ray’s defense, citing statements from SCL. officials. The FBI document dated January 31, 1969, includes Abernathy’s remarks about a possible conspiracy involving Medgar Evers and President John F. Kennedy, with references to James Lawson of Memphis, who claimed fire stations near the Lorraine Motel were relocated prior to King’s assassination on April 4, 1963. A separate DOJ/FBI reply from January 23, 1969, notes an interview with James Bevel (SCLC official) regarding Ray’s case and includes file numbers and declassification details.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Defendant in Dr. King’s assassination case; his innocence was publicly supported by SCLC officials.  
- **Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy**: President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC); expressed confidence in Ray’s innocence and discussed potential conspiracies.  
- **James Bevel**: SCLC official interviewed on January 21, 1969, regarding Ray’s case.  
- **Rev. James Lawson**: Memphis minister who allegedly informed Abernathy about fire station movements near the Lorraine Motel prior to King’s assassination.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination on April 4, 1963; location of the Lorraine Motel and fire stations mentioned in discussions.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Home of SCLC headquarters and where Abernathy resided.  
- **Philadelphia, Pennsylvania**: Location of James Bevel’s residence during the January 21, 1969, interview.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1963**: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.  
- **January 21, 1969**: Interview with James Bevel regarding James Earl Ray’s case.  
- **January 23, 1969**: DOJ/FBI reply referencing SCLC officials’ involvement in Ray’s defense and investigation.  
- **January 31, 1969**: FBI document detailing Abernathy’s claims about a conspiracy involving Medgar Evers and JFK, with references to fire station movements prior to King’s assassination.  

Key Organizations  
- **Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)**: Organization led by Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy; involved in public defense of James Earl Ray and discussions about conspiracies related to Dr. King’s death.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into the assassination, with documents referencing SCLC officials and potential conspiracies.  
- **Department of Justice**: Involved in handling declassified records and correspondence regarding the case.

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_163-05-part_1_of_6.pdf

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