</s>FD-302 Rev. 4:1564) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION 1 Date: 4/27/68 LEO HOLDEN PARKER, No. 15254, Missouri State Penitentiary, received April 19, 1968, to serve 15 years for Armed Robbery, 1st said he was released on parole to Dismas House in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 1, 1967, after serving 1st St.Louis, Missouri. on June 6, 1967. After serving July 18, 1968. For having kidnapped a boy and girl and robbing them in St Louis, Louisiana, on July 1, 1969, the car was recovered in St, Louis, Missouri, and heard their car. The car was committed on July 11, 1967 , and he was heard and the jury was committed to July 11. 1967. Kidnapper had mentioned being recently reported that the Kidnaper had mentioned recently appeared that the and among other things had Blue eyes. He has brown eyes, and he said, while he had talked to everyone he could find out what prisoners had escaped from Illinois and Missouri. He said, he said. his jail, he told me that he could be found out what This was not talked of 1967. He Said this prisoner, whose name he could not recall of Louis and Missouri, and that he had had name he couldn not recall all the ever knew it, said that, RAY had marcotics and was living in eating this prison, whose making money and various hold-ups. making money by various hold ups. PARKER said he tried to get his attorney to send for a photograph of RAY, but this was not done. PARKER said that he did not see not a photograph or RAY. until this last week when pictures were published in him of him in newspapers in connection with the murder of Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING. He noted the close resemblance between him and RAY He said he thinks RAY is responsible for the crime for which he said he would be responsible for doing every- thing he can to help locate RAY." PARKKER said a large blow-up picture of him was used in his trial, but the picture had been touched up" to remove facial scars. He noticed he had tattoos on his arms that would show and yet yet the witnesses did not recall them. He saw he banned him. He told him that he was not allowed to be by the St. Louis Police. He claims he had a good Alibi and did not commit the crime, but was convicted on his record and from biased testimony based on faulty identification of 4/26/68/68 <loc_155><loc_842>4/24/68 or. jefferson City, Missouri File # #: <loc_155><loc_843>SA ROWEN B. AYERS/r/1 SA ROVEN B, AYER/r1 Date dictated: <loc_891><loc_696><loc_891><loc_681><loc_594><loc_681>Dole dictated:

The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s activities during his incarceration at Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) prior to his 1967 escape. Key figures include Leo Holden Parker and George Pen Edmundson, inmates who described Ray’s alleged criminal ties, including kidnapping and robbery in St. Louis, and his plans to evade authorities by fleeing to Canada or Mexico via smuggling routes through Brownsville, Texas, and Campbell Bay, Mexico. Inmates noted Ray’s use of narcotics, disdain for Black individuals, and discussions about hiding in Mexico. The FBI sought information on Ray’s 1967 escape, his associates, and potential connections to organized groups like "Cooley's Organization." Parker claimed Ray had physical similarities to himself and referenced media coverage linking Ray to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., though he did not confirm direct involvement. Other inmates described Ray’s solitary behavior, theft of locks, and alleged hostility toward guards. A psychiatric evaluation from Fulton State Hospital (1966) noted Ray’s sociopsychotic personality disorder with anticoocial traits, though no mental illness was diagnosed. The documents also reference Ray’s attempted escape in 1966 and his subsequent confinement for evaluation.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure; incarcerated at MSP from March 17, 1960, to April 23, 1967, escaped via a bread box.  
- **Leo Holden Parker**: Inmate at MSP who claimed knowledge of Ray and physical resemblance.  
- **George Pen Edmundson**: Inmate who described Ray’s plans to flee to Canada/Mexico, passport acquisition, and smuggling activities.  
- **John Kennedy**: Missouri Department of Corrections official; provided details on Ray’s prison movements.  
- **Howard Nunn**: Inmate who described Ray’s presence in K-Hall during his 1967 escape.  
- **Dr. D. Peterson**: Psychiatrist at Fulton State Hospital who evaluated Ray for mental health concerns post-escape.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Site of Ray’s incarceration and prison interactions; detailed cell assignments provided.  
- **Fulton State Hospital**: Mental health facility where Ray was evaluated post-escape.  
- **Brownsville, Texas**: Reference to smuggling routes into Mexico.  
- **Campbell Bay, Mexico**: Noted as a potential entry point for undocumented movement.  
- **Campeche, Mexico**: Discussed as a possible hiding place for Ray.  

Key Events  
- **Ray’s 1967 Escape**: Facilitated via a bread box, with accomplices such as Powell allegedly facilitating his departure.  
- **Psychiatric Evaluation (1966)**: Ray assessed at Fulton State Hospital; diagnosed with sociopsychotic personality disorder.  
- **Kidnapping and Robbery in St. Louis (1967)**: Parker mentioned Ray’s involvement in these crimes.  
- **Inmate Interactions**: Reports of Ray’s solitary behavior, theft of locks, and alleged hostility toward guards.  
- **Publicity of the MLK Assassination Case**: Parker noted media coverage linked Ray to the crime.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into Ray’s activities and mental health.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Institutional setting for Ray’s incarceration and escape.  
- **Fulton State Hospital**: Mental health facility where Ray was evaluated post-escape.  
- **"Cooley's Organization"**: Mentioned as a potential group Ray may have been associated with, though its existence was unverified.  

Notes: The documents contain inconsistencies, such as anachronistic references to "Kenny Hurt" (born 1985) and unclear dates. Mentions of hate groups lack direct ties to MLK’s assassination. Ray’s mental health evaluation highlights his psychological profile but does not confirm involvement in the assassination. Social Security numbers are noted in one entry but redacted.

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_09-02-part_2_of_4.pdf

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