</s>FD: 245 (REV. 4:19:40) H. S. Department of Justire (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILE) KETAIN FILE FOR 2 OR 5 YEARS PER FOIPA FILE 190-160 1-860 FEDERAL BUREA NOT DESTROY 1740 FEDERAL BUREANOT DESTROY PEREJ LITAT.C1 RETAIN FILE FOR 6 RETAIN PER FOIPA YEARs PER FOIA FILE 190.BH-39208 of 1/2 der. 2118 DO NOT DESTRY HISTORICAL VALUE INVESTIGATIOORMAL ARCHIVES INVESIGATIOMNAL ARCHIVIES Volume Number Scratch: 1/93-2/57 DECLASSIFICATION File Number DO NOT-DESTROY ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED PENDING LITIGATION HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED DATELLI/JOY/JOBY/CLLY.C.S. See also Nos. - - - - - - - 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The declassified FBI documents from June–July 1968 detail the agency’s investigation into James Earl Ray (JER), the individual implicated in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The files focus on JER’s alias "Eric S. Galt," his purchase of a .38 caliber revolver from Harvey Lowey in Birmingham, Alabama, and efforts to link him to physical evidence recovered during his 1969 arrest in London. Forensic analysis included handwriting comparisons of documents attributed to "Galt" and typewriting examinations. The FBI collaborated with regional offices and the FBI Laboratory for fingerprint analysis and document verification. Key figures like Walter Leon Spain, who sold a similar revolver to an unknown buyer matching JER’s description, were interviewed. The investigation also noted threats against Arthur Hanes, JER’s attorney, and indirect connections to Ku Klux Klan activities in Birmingham and Luverne, Alabama, though no direct evidence of conspiracy or involvement in MLK’s assassination was presented.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray (JER)**: Identified as the assassin of MLK Jr., used alias "Eric S. Galt."  
- **Walter Leon Spain**: Gun dealer who sold a .38 revolver to an unknown buyer described as matching JER’s physical traits.  
- **Arthur Hanes**: Attorney for James Earl Ray, subjected to threatening phone calls.  
- **Charles Mullins**: Linked to the Ku Klux Klan; met with "Red" Farris in Birmingham in April 1968.  
- **"Red" Farris**: Individual associated with Charles Mullins and KKK activities.  

Key Locations  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Site of JER’s gun purchase, Spain’s revolver sale, and KKK-related investigations.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Mentioned in FBI case numbers (e.g., 44-1987) but not directly tied to MLK assassination details.  
- **Luverne, Alabama**: Center of a KKK lawsuit involving school integration efforts.  

Key Events  
- **March 29, 1968**: JER purchased .38 revolver from Harvey Lowey in Birmingham.  
- **April 2, 1968**: Meeting between Charles Mullins and "Red" Farris in Birmingham; Mullins allegedly discussed plans to kill MLK Jr.  
- **July 1968**: FBI coordinated with local law enforcement and Southern Bell Telephone Company to monitor threats against Arthur Hanes.  
- **1969**: JER arrested in London, with a .38 revolver recovered from him linked to the assassination.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)**: Conducted forensic analysis, coordinated regional offices, and collaborated with FBI Laboratory for fingerprint and document examination.  
- **Ku Klux Klan (KKK)**: Mentioned in context of Charles Mullins’ activities and Luverne Klavern’s legal case against school integration efforts.  
- **Southern Bell Telephone Company**: Involved in monitoring threats against Arthur Hanes.  

Note: No social security numbers or 9-digit identifiers were present in the documents.

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_09-04-part_1_of_4.pdf

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