</s>SAC, Chicago April 16, 1968 Results of laboratory examination and dispo- sition of specimens subject of separate report. Page 2 LC #91075 - 41-42 - 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14178

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into JERRY WILLIAM RAY (also referred to as JERMY or JERKY RAY) and his brother JAMES EARL RAY, focusing on their alleged connections to criminal activities and potential involvement in the 1968 assassination of MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. Jerry Ray provided statements about his brother’s criminal history, including alleged ties to armed robbery and other offenses, though no conclusive evidence is presented. The FBI sought information about James Ray’s whereabouts, associations, and possible links to "Eric Starvo Galt," a suspect linked to activities in Birmingham, Alabama, around September 1967. The records include details about Jerry Ray’s employment at country clubs in Chicago and St. Louis, his family members (including sister CAROL PEPPER and stepfather MAHER), and interactions with law enforcement agents. References to a telegram received by Jerry Ray from an unknown source (DICK WOODBURY, Life Magazine) and family disputes involving property sales are also noted.  

Key People  
- **JERRY WILLIAM RAY** (also referred to as JERMY or JERKY RAY): Subject of FBI interviews; provided information about his brother James Ray and family members.  
- **JAMES EARL RAY**: Brother of Jerry Ray, incarcerated in Missouri, later escaped, and speculated to have been involved in the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. (no conclusive evidence is presented).  
- **CAROL PEPPER**: Jerry Ray’s sister; mentioned as residing in St. Louis and involved in family matters.  
- **MAHER**: Jerry Ray’s stepfather; referenced in discussions about family ties.  
- **WALTER RIFE** and **LONNIE RIFE**: Relatives of Jerry Ray, mentioned in context of family connections.  
- **SUSAN DONIAN**: Sister of James Ray; provided information about the family, including addresses and details about her brother JOHN RAY.  
- **BLACKIE AUSTIN**: Alleged associate of James Ray, with no confirmed current whereabouts.  

Key Locations  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Central location for family residences, including the MacArthur Hotel where James Ray was allegedly staying.  
- **Chicago, Illinois**: Mentioned as a city where Jerry Ray worked and resided.  
- **Quincy, Illinois**: Home to Jerry Ray’s stepfather, MAHER.  
- **Sportsman Country Club** (Northbrook, Illinois): Where Jerry Ray was employed.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Linked to "Eric Starvo Galt," a subject associated with James Ray's activities.  

Key Events  
- FBI interviews with Jerry Ray in April 1968 to investigate his brother James Ray’s alleged involvement in the murder of Martin Luther King Jr.  
- Discussions about James Ray’s criminal activities, including small-time crimes and potential ties to organized crime.  
- Mention of a telegram received by Jerry Ray from an unknown source (DICK WOODBURY, Life Magazine) requesting contact regarding "a matter of importance."  
- Details about Jerry Ray’s employment history, residences, and financial status, including his ownership of multiple vehicles.  
- References to family disputes, such as the sale of a tavern due to media attention, and personal conflicts with relatives.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews and investigations into Jerry Ray’s brother James Ray.  
- **Chicago Police Department**: Provided records on James Ray’s arrest history and criminal charges.  
- **Illinois State Penitentiary**: Mentioned in relation to James Ray’s alleged incarceration.

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_07-03-part_2_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

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