</s>FBI BIRMGHAM FBI NEWARK 1170M URGENT 4-11-68 ELF TO DIRECTOR. MEMPHIS. BIRMINHAM AND RICHMOND FROM NEWARK (44-854) MURKIN RE: NEWARK TEL TO BUREAU, APRIL NINE LAST. RE SUSPECT LESTER FORSYTHE. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS DEVELOPED UNDER SUITABLE PRETEXT INTERVIEWS WITH JOHN BEHRINGER, GRAND DRAGON, UNITED KLANS OF AMERICA (UKA), AND PAT FORSYTHÉ, SUSPT'S WIFE, BOTH OF WHOM ARE COOPERATIVE. FORSYTHE IS IDENTIAL TO LESTER IRVING FORSYSTHE, JR ., FBI NUMBER EIGHT TWO EIGHT FOUR SEVEN FOUR A, AND HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE KLAN MEMBER IN NEW JERSEY. HE WAS PRESENT IN N.J. ON MARCH TWENTY NINE AND THIRTY. LAST. ON APRIL THREE SIXTY EIGHT, FORSYTE. DEPARTED N. J.J ., ININTEENTEEN SIXTEEN SITTY BLUE FORD FALCOM AFTER AN ARGUMENT WITH HIS WIFE. FORSYSTE DEPARTMENT WITHOUT WIFE'S KNOWLEDGE AND TOOK A LARGE AMOUNT OF GEORGE'S WALLACE CAMPAIGN LITERATURE BLONGLING TO THE KLAN. FORSYSTHE'S DESTINATION AND PRESENT WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN. HE IS NOT KNOW TO BE VIOLENT OR TO POSSESS FIREARMS. 44-1740-287 END SEARCHED INDEXED J GA SERIALIZED FILED FBI BIMGHAM APR 1 1968 FBI -BIRMINGHAM 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail extensive FBI investigations into potential suspects and connections related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) on April 4, 1968. Key figures include Lester Forsythe, a KKK member in New Jersey who left his wife’s home on April 4, 1968, carrying Klan literature; George Edward Murray, a California prisoner linked to anti-MLK rhetoric and planning to “shoot a nigger” before relocating to Chicago; and Lee Galt, whose hotel stay at the Tuturman Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama, was scrutinized for potential ties. The FBI also examined laundry tags from thermo-seal machines used by laundries, comparing them with clothing items found at the assassination scene, including a white Jockey T-shirt and checked print undershorts. Investigations targeted individuals like Eugene Smith Mansfield (suspected KKK member), L.E. Matthews (linked to White Knights of the KKK), and John Clinton Millsaps, whose resemblance to an assassin’s drawing was noted after MLK’s death. Additional inquiries focused on James Evans, a Birmingham resident with KKK ties and a 1967 bombing connection; Billy Ray White, wanted for crimes in New Mexico; and Roswell S. Monroe, whose photograph was circulated for suspect identification. Administrative records include form numbers, file dates, and references to U.S. Savings Bonds, alongside checks on car rentals, insurance policies, and hotel stays.  

Key People  
- **Lester Forsythe** (FBI #828474A) – KKK member in New Jersey; left wife’s home on April 4, 1968, with Klan literature.  
- **George Edward Murray** – California prisoner living with Mrs. Thelma Phelps; allegedly planned to “shoot a nigger” before moving to Chicago.  
- **Mrs. Thelma Phelps** – Oakland, California resident who reported Murray’s presence and threats.  
- **John Behringer** – Grand Dragon of United Klans of America (UKA); provided information on Forsythe.  
- **Pat Forsythé** – Forsythe’s wife; cooperative with FBI investigations.  
- **Lee Galt** – Stayed at Tuturman Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama, on August 9, 1967.  
- **Eugene Smith Mansfield** – Suspected KKK member and fugitive for alleged murder.  
- **L.E. Matthews** – Allegedly involved in bombings; connected to White Knights of the KKK.  
- **John Clinton Millsaps** – Nephew of William Clyde Millsaps; described as resembling an assassin’s drawing; history of firearm ownership.  
- **William Clyde Millsaps** – Gastonia, NC; reported to have a nephew with potential ties to MLK’s assassination.  
- **James Evans, Jr.** – Birmingham resident linked to KKK and 1967 bombing case; resided at 5001 Quincy Court, Ansley, AL.  
- **Billy Ray White** – Wanted for armed robbery and double homicide in New Mexico; connected to Alabama/Mississippi.  
- **Roswell S. Monroe** – Photographed at El Paso airport; circulated for suspect identification.  

Key Locations  
- **New Jersey** – Forsythe’s residence and activities in March 1968.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama** – FBI offices; Tuturman Hotel (hotel records reviewed); car rental records checked at National Car Rental (Huntsville).  
- **Chicago** – Murray’s intended destination after leaving California.  
- **Oakland, California** – Mrs. Phelps’ home where Murray resided.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee** – Crime scene investigation around the Lorraine Motel; witness statements about a deputy sheriff present during the shooting.  
- **Salt Lake City, Utah** – John Clinton Millsaps’ residence.  
- **Odesa Laundry (Texas)** – Laundries with thermo-seal markings compared to evidence from the assassination scene.  
- **El Paso, Texas** – Roswell S. Monroe’s photograph taken at an airport.  

Key Events  
- April 4, 1968 – Forsythe departed New Jersey with Klan literature; Murray left Mrs. Phelps’ home in Oakland.  
- April 7–11, 1968 – FBI conducted interviews and checks on car rentals, insurance policies, and suspect descriptions in Birmingham and California.  
- March 26–30, 1968 – Car rental records reviewed for potential connections to MLK’s assassination.  
- April 10–11, 1968 – FBI searched hotel records in Birmingham for names like “GALT” (e.g., Lee Galt).  
- FBI compared thermo-seal laundry markings from laundries with clothing items found at the assassination scene.  
- Investigation into Eugene Smith Mansfield’s alleged criminal activities and ties to extremist groups.  
- Tracking of L.E. Matthews’ movements and his role in violent acts, including a bombing in Jackson, Mississippi (1967).  
- FBI efforts to locate James Evans, Jr., for KKK ties and connection to the 1967 bombing case.  
- Crime scene investigation in Memphis around the Lorraine Motel, including witness accounts of a deputy sheriff present during the shooting.  
- Fingerprint comparison request for Billy Ray White (FBI #990-395D) with evidence from MLK’s assassination.  
- Circulation of Roswell S. Monroe’s photograph to witnesses in Birmingham and Memphis for suspect identification.  

Key Organizations  
- **United Klans of America (UKA)** – Linked to Forsythe’s activities and Eugene Smith Mansfield.  
- **White Knights of the KKK** – Connected to L.E. Matthews’ alleged violent acts.  
- **National Car Rental** – Provided car rental records for FBI investigation in Birmingham and Huntsville.  
- **Alabama Farm Bureau Insurance Co.** – Reviewed insurance policies on suspect Eric Starvo Galt.  
- **Textile Marking Machine Company** – Manufacturer of thermo-seal machines used by laundries.  
- **Phoenix Laundry Corporation (Mississippi)** – Provided information on thermo-seal markings.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** – Conducted multiple investigations across Birmingham, Newark, and California.  
- **Local law enforcement agencies in Alabama, Tennessee, and New Mexico** – Involved in crime scene analysis and suspect identification efforts.

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_03-04-part_1_of_5.pdf

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