</s>Routing Slip 0-7 (Rev. 9-25-67) (Copies to Office) checked) TO: SAC. Alabama Heuston Oklahoma City Tampa Washington Field Albany Indianaville Oklahoma Albemarque Oklahoma Albamarque Kansas City Phoenix TO LEGAT: Bem. Bem, Bubblegum. Little Rock San Antonio Bemor Area Bubblesite San Lonsie Bemarco San Antonio San Antonio San Antonio San Antonio San Antonio San Francisco San Antonio San Antonio San Antonio San Antonio New Orleans New York City May 11, 1968 RE: MURKIN Retention For information For appropriate Sures, by The enclosed for your information. I used in a future report. I conced! all sources, are parrases from. sates. Remarks: Remytel 5/11/68. Enclosed is Identification Record on Carl Murphy, Jr. De Chi Tek S-10-6.8 44-17/3 1729 in U.T.A.B.B SEARCHED INDEXED SFRIALIZED MAY 14 1958 Eno: (44-3886) Kios Budle utile 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The declassified documents detail FBI investigations into multiple individuals suspected of involvement in the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Central figures include Carl Murphy Jr., referred to as "Murkin," and James Earl Ray, both linked through alleged ties to organized crime, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), and potential participation in or knowledge of the assassination plot. Murphy’s criminal history includes hiring J.W. Riley to kill James "Grubby" Grubbs, resulting in Riley’s manslaughter conviction. FBI efforts focused on verifying Murphy’s KKK affiliations, connections to Everett S. Ray, and his alleged role in King’s assassination, though no direct evidence was provided. James Earl Ray emerged as a primary suspect, with investigations tracing his financial activities, travels to Mexico, associations with individuals like Marie Martin and Harold J. Thome, and potential involvement in armed robberies. The FBI also examined records of unidentified deceased individuals, including Ray, through fingerprint comparisons and local county marriage/divorce filings. Key informants included Robert Wayne Phillips, Calvin S. Craig, Johnny Velanti, James W. Brown, and Billy Fulmer, who provided details about Ray’s alleged left-handedness, use of Winston cigarettes, Zippo lighter with initials R.J.R., and anti-Catholic/Negro sentiments. Investigations spanned multiple locations in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri, and Canada, involving local law enforcement agencies and the Identification Division.  

Key People  
- **Carl Murphy Jr. ("Murkin")** – Alleged bootlegger, suspected KKK member, possibly involved in King’s assassination.  
- **James Earl Ray** – Primary suspect in MLK’s assassination; investigated for financial activities, travels to Mexico, and associations with Marie Martin, Harold J. Thome, and others.  
- **Robert Wayne Phillips** – Informant detailing Murphy’s criminal ties and alleged KKK connections.  
- **J.W. Riley** – Convicted for killing James "Grubby" Grubbs at Murphy’s request.  
- **Everett S. Ray** – Suspect linked to dating service records checked by FBI.  
- **Calvin S. Craig** – Alleged U.K.A. associate who discussed assassination plots against Atlanta officials.  
- **Johnny Velanti** – Inmate who claimed knowledge of Ray’s activities, including MLK assassination plans.  
- **James W. Brown** – Prisoner who described Ray’s physical traits and alleged anti-Catholic/Negro sentiments.  
- **Billy Fulmer** – Employee allegedly discussing a fund for MLK’s assassination (later dismissed as a joke).  
- **Marie Martin** – Provided details on Ray’s financial needs and travels in February 1968.  
- **Harold J. Thome** – Mexican individual associated with James E. Sims’ sale of a Pontiac to a Mexican in Houston.  

Key Locations  
- **Birmingham, Alabama** – FBI field office; location of Murphy’s alleged criminal activities and Ray’s movements.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee** – Mentioned in FBI communications and as a location for background checks.  
- **Mississippi** – Home state of Phillips and Murphy; key locations include Tupelo, Bolden, and Scott farm areas.  
- **Tuscalusa, Alabama** – Location of Shelton, a KKK figure allegedly connected to Murphy.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana** – Mentioned in Ray’s travel history.  
- **Kansas City, Missouri** – Linked to Ray’s movements and prison stays.  
- **Montreal, Canada** – Suspected location of potential armed robberies by Ray.  
- **Lawrence, Winston, Franklin, and Marion Counties, Alabama** – Sites of marriage/divorce record searches for Ray’s aliases.  
- **Mexico City, Ottawa** – Locations where U.S. embassies handled unidentified deceased inquiries.  

Key Events  
- Investigation into Carl Murphy Jr.’s alleged KKK ties, criminal activities, and potential role in MLK’s assassination.  
- FBI efforts to verify Murphy’s connections to Everett S. Ray through dating service records and background checks.  
- Marie Martin’s interview detailing Ray’s financial needs and Mexican travels (February 1968).  
- James E. Sims’ sale of a Pontiac to a Mexican in Houston, involving Harold J. Thome.  
- FBI identity checks in Talladega and St. Clair Counties for individuals resembling Ray.  
- Discussions between HEALY and Calvin S. Craig about assassination plots against Atlanta officials (1968).  
- Conversations between James W. Brown and Johnny Velanti detailing Ray’s alleged plans to kill MLK (1963–1964).  
- Billy Fulmer’s workplace remarks about a fund for MLK’s assassination (dismissed as a joke).  
- FBI investigation into Ray’s potential involvement in armed robberies in Birmingham and Montreal.  
- Search of marriage/divorce records in Alabama counties (April 22–23, 1968) to identify Ray’s aliases.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** – Conducted investigations into Murphy, Ray, and related suspects.  
- **Ku Klux Klan (KKK)** – Suspected affiliation with Carl Murphy Jr. and referenced in connections to other suspects.  
- **United Klans of America (U.K.A.)** – Organization linked to Calvin S. Craig’s alleged affiliations.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** – Site of James W. Brown’s incarceration and interactions with Johnny Velanti.  
- **Birmingham Police Department** – Provided information on Murphy’s criminal activities.  
- **Identification Division** – Managed inquiries into unidentified deceased individuals, including Ray.  
- **Probate Judges, Circuit Court Clerks, and Registers** – Local record-keeping offices involved in Alabama county investigations.

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_07-02-part_5_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

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