</s>REPORT of the LABORATORY FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FEDERATORY WASHINGTON, D. C. 205555 To: FBI, Memphis (44-1987) Date: Fbi File No. MURKIN September 4, 1968 44-38681 JK Lob. No. D-6082820601 JK CR D-6802826101 JK Specimens received 8/26/68, from FBI, Chicago Eight payroll checks of Indian Trail Restaurant, Inc. payable to JOHN RAYNS or JOHN L. RAYNES, further described as follows: SPECIMININ NUMBER DATE AMOUNT 0398 4838 5/7/67 $84.89 0398 4913 4938 5/12/67 $24/67 84.49 0400 4938 5/28/67 84.69 0400 5058 5/24/07 84.99 0402 $130 $12/07 89.63 0402 $130 5/18/67 $28 6/18 /67 95.63 0405 5537 5/25/67 75.73 Q406 Employee's Withholding Exemption Certificate dated May 10, 1967, bearing Social Security Number and signed John L. Raynes. Specimens Received from 1967, 6/26,68/68 from FBI. Chicago Q407 Sheet from rooing house ledger, page 15, bearing on line 24 the signature "John Larry Rayns" Q408 Registration card. No ., 8075, dated 6/16/67, bearing the signature "John L. Rays". Result of examination: It was concluded that JAMIS BARL RAY, K171, K211 and K257 prepared the questionnaires Raynes signature on the quos- tloned handwriting on Q408 and the questionioned handwriting and <loc_121><loc_797>hand printing in the endorsments on Q406 Although significant similarities were <loc_824>noted in the endorsements on Q409 through 9/9.0408. noted on Q407.

The document contains multiple FBI records from 1968 and 1977 related to investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Key details include interviews with individuals in Chicago, such as Phillis Lenning and Lola Ballaro Despine, who were questioned about potential connections to James Earl Ray, a suspect linked to MLK's assassination. The FBI examined public telephones at a pharmacy, reviewed registration cards for hotel stays, and conducted fingerprint analysis on payroll checks tied to the Indian Trail Restaurant. A latent fingerprint on a check was matched to James Earl Ray’s thumbprint. Later records mention Jerry Ray, James Earl Ray’s brother, who claimed his brother was set up for MLK’s assassination and referenced a business card linked to Central Intelligence. The documents also reference FBI file numbers, legal proceedings, and interactions with media outlets like KHQA TV.  

Key People:  
- **Phillis Lenning**: Interviewed in Chicago regarding potential ties to suspects.  
- **Lola Ballaro Despine**: Day clerk at Lincoln Apartment Hotel; provided details about room 105 occupancy.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspect linked to MLK’s assassination; fingerprint evidence tied him to a payroll check.  
- **Jerry Ray**: Brother of James Earl Ray, claimed his brother was framed and referenced a business card connected to Central Intelligence.  
- **John L. Raynes**: Name associated with financial records and potential connections to the investigation.  

Key Locations:  
- **Chicago, Illinois**: Sites of interviews (e.g., Lincoln Apartment Hotel, M. Sarnatzy Pharmacy).  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Mentioned in context of James Earl Ray’s alleged activities during MLK’s assassination.  
- **Springfield, Illinois**: Reference to FBI file handling and legal proceedings.  

Key Events:  
- **Fingerprint analysis** on payroll checks from the Indian Trail Restaurant linked to James Earl Ray.  
- **Hotel registration reviews** at Lincoln Apartment Hotel for potential connections to suspects.  
- **Jerry Ray’s claims** about his brother being set up for MLK’s assassination and a witness near the scene.  
- **Legal proceedings** involving James Earl Ray, including escape attempts and federal prison placements.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, fingerprint analysis, and file management.  
- **Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)**: Mentioned in context of a business card found during the investigation.  
- **Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)**: Notified about potential illegal alien connections to James Earl Ray.

MLK Declassified Files

44-cg-1114_738662_06-04-part_5_of_5.pdf

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