</s>- 19 - OUT-OF-TOWN INVESTIGATIONS On July 8, 1975, investigators traveled to Washington, D. C. to interview Mr. Bernard Fensterwald and Mr. Ken Smith. The primary purpose of the trip was to secure whatever documentation these gentlemen might have to substantiate their belief in Byron Watson's allegations. An extensive conversation was conducted in Mr. Fensterfeld's law office. During this discussion, it was learned that Mr. Smith spent a significant amount of time at Atlanta attempting to collect concrete evidence to substantate Watson's story however, he could produce no documentation to support key points raised by Watson. Mr.Smith did furnish investigators with a series of corre- spondence between himself and the Natsons, dating from March through May of 1975, the intermittent period between Byron's and sentencing for Distribution of Cocaine. Copies of the correspondence are now on file and are of primary importance in that they clearly illustrate the Watson's belief that the con- spray information that he was presented to the proper authorities, will substantiate Byron's claims that he has framed by federal gangsters. "In one such letter, Mrs. Watson lists the following individuals as recipients of the 42-page document: Representative Stewart B. McKinney Governor George Wallace Senator Henry Jackson Senator Edward Kennedy Senator Henry Kennedy Mark Lang Carl Olesby Senator Henry McGowan Baker, Richard Representative Phil11lp Burton Representative Henry Gonzalez Mr. Fenstewald stated that he Was firmly convinced of the existence of a 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document compiles multiple investigative reports and interviews conducted in 1975 regarding allegations of a conspiracy involving the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Central to these inquiries was Robert Byron Watson, who claimed he overheard discussions about a plot to kill MLK and alleged federal agents framed him for drug trafficking. Interviews with Watson, his associates, and individuals linked to Magellans—a business associated with artifact trading and smuggling—revealed conflicting accounts. While some claims of a broader conspiracy were noted, investigations concluded that Watson’s allegations lacked corroborating evidence and were inconsistent, particularly due to his diagnosed chronic schizophrenia. Key figures like James Earl Ray, Jerry Adams, and Harold Purcell were implicated in various capacities, including smuggling operations and potential ties to federal agencies. The FBI and Atlanta Police Intelligence Section reviewed these claims, with some testimonies suggesting Ray acted alone, while others hinted at deeper networks involving anti-Semitic and racist individuals, as well as international connections such as a Montreal-based contact. No conclusive evidence directly linked the alleged conspirators to MLK’s assassination, though financial misconduct and smuggling activities tied to Magellans were documented.  

Key People  
- **Robert Byron Watson**: Central figure in conspiracy claims; accused federal agents of framing him for drug trafficking and involved in discussions about an assassination plot.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Convicted of MLK’s assassination; his 1968 guilty plea and attorney Percy Foreman were discussed as potentially tied to suppressing trial revelations.  
- **Bernard Fensterwald**: Ray’s defense counsel; argued for a conspiracy involving federal agents and Atlanta-based narcotics figures, citing Ray’s smuggling activities and connections to Magellans.  
- **Harold Eugene Purcell**: Associated with Magellans; described its operations, including civil war relic collection and financial mismanagement.  
- **Bayne Gulley Jr.**: Civil war relic collector and salesman linked to Magellans; resided in Atlanta.  
- **Larry Meier**: Former restoration specialist at Magellans; provided details about the business’s dissolution and thefts.  
- **Jerry Adams**: Alleged part of a smuggling ring involving gold bullion and narcotics, connected to Magellans.  
- **William Amette**: Accused of smuggling stolen artifacts to a museum in Columbus, Georgia.  
- **E.H. Andrews (a.k.a. Warren)**: FLQ member alleged to have conspired with Ray to assassinate MLK.  
- **Jack Youngblood**: Alleged Castro associate present near the Lorraine Motel at the time of MLK’s assassination.  

Key Locations  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Center of investigations; locations include Magellans’ offices, the Atlanta Police Intelligence Section, and Great American Silver Company (Doraville).  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Scene of MLK’s assassination; Rev. Samuel B. Kyles’ church and related inquiries.  
- **Clinton, Tennessee**: Site of a 1966 integration incident; Purcell’s residence.  
- **Montreal, Canada**: Alleged location of Ray’s contact with Raoul, a Montreal-based associate.  
- **Columbus, Georgia**: Museum where Amette allegedly donated stolen artifacts.  

Key Events  
- **July 1975 Interviews**: Investigators questioned Watson, Culley, Adams, Meier, and Purcell regarding conspiracy claims; polygraph exams confirmed innocence of some individuals.  
- **Magellans’ Dissolution**: Estimated to have ended by April 1, 1968, with financial losses and thefts documented.  
- **Alleged Smuggling Ring**: Involving Bill Jackson, Herman Jackson, Jerry Adams, and the DEA; claims of microorganism-based assassination weapons were noted but unverified.  
- **FLQ Conspiracy Claims**: E.H. Andrews alleged involvement with Ray in a plot to kill MLK, though no evidence was found.  
- **Watson’s Framing Allegations**: Discredited due to inconsistencies and his mental health diagnosis; however, some claims about conspirators leaving the U.S. post-assassination remained unverified.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Involved in reviewing evidence and interviews; Carl Claybourne testified Ray acted alone.  
- **Magellans/Blockade Runners**: Business entity linked to artifact trading, smuggling, and financial misconduct; dissolved by 1968.  
- **Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)**: Mentioned in Watson’s allegations of framing for drug trafficking but denied involvement.  
- **Atlanta Police Intelligence Section**: Conducted investigations under Commissioner A. Reginald Eaves.  
- **FLQ (French Liberation of Quebec)**: Terrorist group alleged to have conspired with Ray, though no conclusive evidence was found.

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_164-01-part_5_of_6.pdf

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