</s>FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION CONFIDENTIAL Date: 1/23/69 Reverend JAMES BEVEL was interviewed for ten minutes at his residence. He stated that he was extremely busy as he had appointments through 11:00 p.m. that extremely late inter- view was in progress. He was asked BEVEL if he could talk. to a member of the press. He REVEL told her to tell the person on the telephone he was tied up until 11:30 p.M. BEVEL stated he had proof of the innocence of JAMES REVEL MAY in connection with the murder of his KING of friend Reverend MAY in the murder and his KING as one. of his closest and dearest friends. BEVEL stated that since the FBI was connected with the prosecution and he was involved with the defense. He felt the should not furnish this information. It was pointed out to BEVEL that the FBI is an investigation agency that he should not be interested in also pointed to beVEL that he wanted to investigate in proving a person's innocence as proving a persons' guilt. BEVEL was interested in obtaining and proving all facts possible during any investigation. January stated he sent to a telegraph to RAY on Saturday, REVEL stated He sent to be TELEGRAPH on the following day. had received an answer to his telegram. BEVELL stated in he connection with this plan to call PERCY FORMAN Attorney for Ray on the night of May 21, 1969, and offer his services in connection with his lawyer. BEVEL stayed that he would telephone the contacting agents on January 1969, 1962, and advise if FORMAN accepted his offer. BEVEL states that he FORMAN does not accept his offer to aid the defense, he BEVEL, plans to drop the entire matter as he feels of his no more than his offer and his evidence of Ray's innocence. It should offer to help him refused. of Ray is appointed out of BEVEL what if he had evidence of Ray'S innocence. He should be brought to attention of the court. REVEL again stated he would do so only if he was allowed to be part of RAY's defense. BEVEL state that at the time MARTIN LUTHER KING CONFIDENTIAL- On 1/21/69 of Philadelphia, Pa. 2 File # Philadelphia 44-1368 SA RALPH C. HAMMER and SA EDWARD M. COLE EMC/RBP Date dictated: 1/22/69 by: <loc_883>This document contains neither recommendations nor conditions of the FBI it is the property of the Fbi and is licensed to your agency. It lend in contents are not to be distributed outside your agenty. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, focusing on Roy Richard Erwin (GSP #507575), a Georgia State Prison inmate, and his alleged connections to the event. On April 4, 1968, Erwin claimed he drove a 1965 Mustang from Memphis, Tennessee, to Atlanta, Georgia, during the time of King’s assassination. The FBI noted inconsistencies in his statements, including his denial of authorship for a letter linked to the investigation. An interview on April 9, 1969, revealed further discrepancies in Erwin’s account of his movements, with no credible ties to the crime. The agency concluded that further pursuit of the case was unnecessary due to lack of corroborating evidence.  

Key People  
- **Roy Richard Erwin** (GSP #507575): A Georgia State Prison inmate surveilled for potential links to MLK’s assassination.  
- **James Bevel**: SCLC director alleged to have connections to communist networks.  
- **Jerry Bennett**: Mentioned in context of a 1965 Mustang linked to suspects.  
- **Kenn** (code name/informer): Referenced in FBI surveillance notes.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of Erwin’s claimed departure on April 4, 1968.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Destination of the alleged 1965 Mustang drive.  
- **Georgia State Prison**: Location of Erwin’s incarceration.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: MLK’s assassination; Erwin claimed to have traveled from Memphis to Atlanta on this date.  
- **April 8, 1969**: Savannah airtel referenced in FBI memos about the investigation.  
- **April 9, 1969**: FBI interview with Erwin revealing inconsistent statements about his movements.  

Key Organizations  
- **Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)**: Alleged to have been infiltrated by communist groups, including ties to James Bevel.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted surveillance and investigations into civil rights figures and potential communist infiltration.  
- **Communist Party of the United States (CPUSA)**: Cited as a group influencing SCLC members.

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_163-05-part_2_of_6.pdf

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