</s>1R012 CE PLAIN 11:25PM MITEL JANUARY 9, 1976 JUC TO: DIRECTOR (44-36E61) ATLANTA (44+36E63) EL PASO WEAPHS CHARLOTTE (44)-136-CP) FROM: WURAIN. RL CHARLOTIE ICLLYPE DAILED JANURARY 6, 1976. WILLDLL SOTTON PORILLA, FORMANUARY 6. PHARY YARNS, INTERVIEWED AT HIS LOWE, EIG EIING DRIVE, ELOWING, C.C ., ADVISED HIS CORRESFORDENCE WITH. COUNSONA CLADIE POWELL, JR.K. IS VERY PUR M.I.M. OLY A. OCCURIONA A. C.P.O.L.C.LL. ., HE LAST SAW CLAUDIE TIRCE YEARS AGO WHEN THER MOTHER ., MESPIE POWLL, WAS VERY ILL ILL 1. TOCCOA, GORGIA. WALLALL RELATED AND HAD NOT HEARD OF ANYONE CONTACT HIS BROKERS CLADE AND LEON AND OFFERING THEM MONEY TO ASSASSINATE MARTIN LUTHER KING, AND ADVISID IF LAUDE A. SEEN SEEN $25,000 $26,000 WANL LOUF LUTHR KING, A. CLAUDE WOULD HAVE TOLD OLIERS ABOUT IT. THE SAID CLADE SOWD TO DRINK A LOT AND TALK GLILLY MRS. IN A DRUNK COITTON, OILIL A DOCTOR TOLD HIM TO RESTRICTION IS INAKE IN A COOLING FOLLOWING A. ACCIDENT. FOR ALL SAD HE DID TO COLLING CLADLE AND LEOH HAD HAD THE 99-286-3358 3.3 SEARCHED JAN C.MICKED FELD SAW TACOR- JAN 1976 J.D.DURBES no auton J.J. DURBERS 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O ., 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI investigations from January 1976 focusing on potential connections between Wendell Sutton Powell, his brothers Claude Powell and Leon Powell, and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Interviews with Wendell Powell indicated limited contact with his brothers, who had histories of alcohol abuse and erratic behavior. Powell denied knowledge of assassination plots but acknowledged their dislike for MLK’s activism. The FBI sought to verify involvement of the Powells or others, including James Earl Ray, in the assassination. Arnold Ray Godfrey, a bartender at Pete's Place in Atlanta, was interviewed and denied knowledge of plots but described frequent visitors, including a white man with Cuban features. Polygraph tests were conducted on suspects, including Leon Powell, Claude Powell Jr., and Ray Godfrey, with inconclusive results for Powell. Diane Brady, a former bartender at "The Office" bar, identified an individual named "Duke," described as a white male with a limp driving a dark car with Gwinnett County tags. The FBI also reviewed Memphis office files indicating no direct links between the Powells or related individuals and the "Murkings" investigation (possibly a typo for "Murder"). Efforts to locate witnesses, including Dottie Underhill at McKinnon’s Restaurant in Atlanta, were documented, with Underhill confirming she had never worked elsewhere. The FBI coordinated polygraph examinations across multiple locations, including Midland, Texas, and San Antonio, Texas, while maintaining records under E.O. 14176 declassification guidelines.  

Key People:  
- Wendell Sutton Powell (interviewed; denied knowledge of assassination plots)  
- Claude Powell (brother of Wendell; interviewed; described as mentally affected by wartime experiences)  
- Leon Powell (brother of Wendell; subject of polygraph examinations; deemed "potentially dangerous")  
- Arnold Ray Godfrey (bartender at Pete's Place; denied knowledge of plots)  
- James Earl Ray (alleged assassin of MLK, referenced in context)  
- Diane Brady (former bartender at "The Office" bar; identified individual named "Duke")  
- Floyce Powell BRYSON (provided statements about Powell family’s lack of ties to hate groups)  
- David McKinnon (son of McKinnon’s restaurant owner; noted staff used false names)  
- Dottie Underhill (waitress at McKinnon’s Restaurant; confirmed no prior employment elsewhere)  

Key Locations:  
- Atlanta, Georgia (Pete's Place bar, "The Office" bar, McKinnon’s Restaurant)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI office reviewing files with no direct links to investigation)  
- Midland, Texas (location of Powell’s polygraph examination)  
- San Antonio, Texas (site of polygraph examination coordination for Claude Powell Jr.)  
- Gwinnett County, Georgia (tag on car associated with "Duke")  

Key Events:  
- FBI interviews with Wendell Sutton Powell and his brothers regarding potential involvement in MLK’s assassination.  
- Investigation into Arnold Ray Godfrey’s knowledge of individuals frequenting Pete's Place.  
- Polygraph examinations for Leon Powell, Claude Powell Jr., and A. Ray Godfrey, with inconclusive results for Powell.  
- Identification of "Duke" through witness accounts and bar staff (e.g., Diane Brady).  
- Review of Memphis office files confirming no direct links between the Powells or related individuals and the "Murkings" investigation.  
- Background checks on Dottie Underhill and McKinnon’s restaurant staff, including notes on waitresses using false names.  
- Delayed scheduling of Powell’s polygraph examination due to health claims.  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted interviews, polygraph examinations, and maintained records under E.O. 14176.  
- U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division: Requested polygraph exams to assess potential involvement in murders.  
- Atlanta Field Office (FBI)  
- Memphis SAC (Special Agent in Charge)  
- El Paso SAC (Special Agent in Charge)

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_164-02-part_3_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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