</s>FD-248 (REV. 4:13:60) H. S. De, artment of Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILE) TUSTRALIAN VA. DO NOT DESTROY FEDERAL LITIGATION 1740 FEDERAL BUREAU ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED DO NOT DESTROY FOR HISTORICAL of X DO NOT DISTROY HISTORIGAL VALUE DECLASSIFICATION NATIONAL ARCHIVES INVESTIGATION ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREINS IS UNCLASSIFIED DATELLROL BY31 COLOR(s Serials Volume Number Bureau File Number 1938-1963 DO NOT RESTROY PENDING LITigation See also Nos. See also No. <loc_51><loc_710>2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document details FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s escape from Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) on April 23, 1967, and his subsequent movements linked to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968. Ray, who had a prior robbery conviction, was charged with unlawful flight to avoid confinement in 1967. The FBI tracked his activities, including purchases of a 1966 Ford Mustang and connections to Eric S. Galt, a suspect in the King assassination. Evidence included a rifle found near the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, a plastic suitcase containing items linked to Ray, and handwriting analysis confirming Ray’s involvement. A Shelby County Grand Jury indicted Ray for first-degree murder in 1968, though the indictment remained secret. The FBI also investigated Galt’s movements across Canada, Alabama, Mexico, and California, noting his purchases of money orders, a safe deposit box, and photographic equipment. Laboratory analysis confirmed that handwriting on documents attributed to Galt matched Ray’s.  

The document contains records of Eric S. Galt’s activities between November 1967 and March 1968, including financial transactions, interactions with individuals such as James O. Ray, and FBI analysis of signatures and laundry marks linked to a murder case in Memphis, Tennessee. Key details include Galt’s enrollment at the National Dance Studio, payments for dancing lessons, purchases of money orders, and correspondence with entities like the "Free Press" newspaper. The FBI Laboratory concluded that multiple documents attributed to Galt were prepared by the same individual, noting similarities in handwriting and signature styles. A laundry mark (Thermo Seal 028-6) found on clothing abandoned at a Memphis laundromat was linked to the murder of an unidentified victim on April 4, 1968. The text also references Galt’s travel between Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Atlanta, as well as his use of mail forwarding services and temporary address changes.  

The document details various activities and investigations related to James Earl Ray and Eric S. Galt in connection with the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which occurred on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Key events include Galt's purchase of a U.S. Postal Money Order #5,615,057.923 payable to New Jersey and his alleged acquisition of a Remington Model 700 rifle and ammunition in Birmingham, Alabama. Ray is linked to the purchase of a Remington Game Master rifle (Model 760, SN 461476) and Bushnell binoculars (SN D4068644) from Memphis, Tennessee. The FBI Laboratory concluded that handwriting on payment coupons and other documents attributed to Galt was prepared by Ray. Items recovered at the scene of the assassination included the rifle, binoculars, a newspaper clipping, shaving lotion, beer can, radio, and bedspread, all bearing fingerprints or fibers matching Ray's. The bullet fired in the assassination was determined to be a 30-caliber soft-point Remington round, consistent with the recovered rifle. Ray's family members, including brother John Larry Ray and Jerry William Ray, are noted as having connections to prisons and alleged interactions with him.  

Summary  
The document contains information about individuals associated with James Earl Ray, including family members and prison inmates. William R. Maher and Mildred Maher claim to have last seen Ray 12 years prior (around 1959) and believe he was involved in an armed robbery. Earl E. Ray is reported deceased as of May 2, 1959. Mrs. Frank Mahle Fuller, Ray’s aunt, states she has not had contact with him since 1955 and claims no knowledge of his activities post-escape. Prison inmates such as Billy Brown Abby, Richard Brenn, and Julius Maurice Block are noted for their interactions with Ray during his incarceration at Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) and other facilities. Ray is described as a loner who engaged in theft (e.g., stealing locks) and had conflicts with inmates. The text also references prison work assignments, including the bakery, and mentions Ray’s alleged stabbing of an inmate.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Escaped MSP in 1967; charged with unlawful flight and later indicted for murder of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  
- **Eric S. Galt**: Suspect linked to the assassination; purchased a rifle, money orders, and photographic equipment; handwriting analysis tied him to Ray.  
- **Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.**: Shot and killed at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis on April 4, 1968.  
- **John Larry Ray**: Brother of James Earl Ray; visited him in prison multiple times.  
- **Jerry William Ray**: Another brother of James Earl Ray; employed as a maintenance man.  
- **William R. Maher** and **Mildred Maher**: Claimed to have last seen Ray in 1959, believed he was involved in an armed robbery.  
- **Frank Mahle Fuller (Mrs.)**: Aunt of James Earl Ray; stated no knowledge of his activities post-escape.  
- **Billy Brown Abby**, **Richard Brenn**, and **Julius Maurice Block**: Prison inmates who interacted with Ray during incarceration.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Ray’s escape from this facility in 1967; Galt resided here, purchased a Mustang, and engaged in financial transactions.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of Dr. King’s assassination; the Lorraine Motel and nearby locations were central to the investigation.  
- **Montreal, Canada**: Galt rented an apartment here in 1967.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Galt resided here, purchased a Mustang, and engaged in financial transactions.  
- **Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico**: Galt stayed at the Hotel Rio during his travels.  
- **Los Angeles, California**, **New Orleans, Louisiana**, **Atlanta, Georgia**, **Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles**, **4019 Royal Street, New Orleans**: Locations referenced in Galt’s travel and correspondence.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Home of Ray’s mother and some family members.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis; a rifle and suitcase were found near the scene.  
- **April 23, 1967**: James Earl Ray escaped from MSP.  
- **July 1967**: A complaint was filed against Ray for unlawful flight to avoid confinement.  
- **October 1967**: FBI confirmed handwriting on documents attributed to Eric S. Galt matched James Earl Ray’s.  
- **March 28–30, 1968**: Galt’s purchases of money order, rifle, and ammunition; Ray’s acquisition of a Remington Model 760 rifle and binoculars.  
- **April 5, 1968**: Recovery of items from the abandoned Mustang, including the rifle, binoculars, and bedspread linked to Ray.  
- **May 2, 1959**: Earl E. Ray reported deceased; Mrs. Frank Mahle Fuller stated no contact with Ray since 1955.  
- **FBI Analysis**: Handwriting, fingerprints, and ballistic evidence connecting Ray to the assassination.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted the investigation into Ray and Galt, including laboratory analysis of evidence.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Oversaw legal proceedings and federal charges against Ray and Galt.  
- **Locksmithing Institute (Little Falls, New Jersey)**: Received address changes from Galt.  
- **New York Arms Company (Memphis, Tennessee)**: Sold binoculars to Ray.

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_09-01-part_1_of_6.pdf

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