</s>7-1b REPORT of the LABORATORY FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION LABORATORATY FEDERAL BUREAO OF INVESIGATION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20535 To: FBI, Memphis (44-1987) Date: May 10, 1968 FBI File No. 44-38861 Re: MURKIN FBI File No .: 44-582676 JK CR Lab. No. 5/8/68 Specimens received Specimens Received 5/9/68 Photocopies of documents obtained from Alabama State Department of Public Safety, Montgomery, Alabama, comprising the known handwriting of eleven individuals, further described as follows: SPECIMEN NAME Kc258 Kc259 WILLIAM ELMER JOHNSON Kc250 Kc260 F.R.L.K.G.KL.E.T.P.M.Penny Kc261 JAMES PRESTON RIDICK Kc2660 ROBERT CLIFTON SMITH Kc263 Kc264 R. K. E. KERR Kc262 Kc268 R.K, K. K, K, E. CLYDE JUSTIN HILL Kc266 CK264 Kc265 PAUL EDGAR GOODSTOPPASTOR, JR. Kc267 Kc269 LEE EMERSON BELLAMY ROGER DAVID BROUSSARD Result of examination: Nothing of examination : Such comparison as particular significance was noted from through Kc268 when compared with the known handwriting of JAMES EARL RAY, whose known handwriting appears on specimens Kc255 K1/71, K2/1, KZ/2, and KZ07. The submitted items have been retained. 44-1790.1689: SEARCHED SEAL/ALIZED INCLUDED FILED <loc_821><loc_831><loc_831><loc_791><loc_833>MAY 11 1968 FBI-BIRMINGHAM<loc_722><loc_859><loc_844><loc_850><loc_722><loc_852>2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14178

Summary  
The text comprises historical FBI records from the 1960s related to investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) in 1968. Central figures include James Earl Ray, who was convicted of the crime but remains a subject of conspiracy theories involving government agencies or other actors. The documents reference FBI case files, surveillance methods, informants, and coded documentation typical of Cold War-era operations. They span multiple locations, including Memphis, Birmingham, Los Angeles, and New Orleans, reflecting nationwide efforts to track suspects like Ray under aliases such as Eric Stavro Galt. The text also includes fragmented or redacted sections, possibly due to classification or incomplete records, and mentions speculative elements like Truman Capote’s theories about MLK’s assassination, which lack credible evidence. These documents highlight the FBI’s role in monitoring civil rights leaders, raising ethical questions about surveillance practices during this period.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (JER): Convicted of assassinating MLK Jr., referenced under aliases such as Eric Stavro Galt.  
- Betty Sparks: Identified as an informant or witness in the investigation.  
- Kenneth R. McBane: Mentioned as a potential witness or associate.  
- Truman Capote: Noted for his speculative theories about MLK’s assassination, though not directly tied to FBI records.  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee: Site of MLK’s assassination and a focal point for FBI surveillance.  
- Birmingham, Alabama: Linked to civil rights activism and FBI monitoring activities.  
- Los Angeles, California: Mentioned in context of surveillance or investigative efforts.  
- New Orleans, Louisiana: Referenced as part of the geographical scope of the investigation.  

Key Events  
- FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s movements and potential conspiracies involving government agencies or other actors.  
- Surveillance operations using informants, fingerprints, photographic evidence, and coded documentation.  
- Tracking of suspects across multiple locations, including Memphis and St. Louis.  
- References to Cold War-era FBI practices, such as alias tracking and covert operations.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Central agency involved in monitoring civil rights leaders, conducting surveillance, and compiling case files like "MURKIN."  
- National Archives: Implied as a repository for declassified records, including FOIA-released documents related to the investigation.

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_07-02-part_3_of_9.pdf

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