</s>OFFICIAL FORD NO. 10. OFFICIALLY OR (OR) OR (C) 14176 UNITED STATES GOVERMENT Memorandum Memorandum SAC (44-1114) DATE: 5/27/68 TO FROM ASAC KYLE G. CLARK SUBJECT: MURKIN On 5/24/68, Officer DESANNO, O'Hare Field, Chicago. Police Department, telephoneally advised, that he had received information department, telephoneically advised, he had recovered information from the Department of the United States Department of Public Safety, and his authority. Herz Rent-A-Car, Rockford, Illinois airport, rented a Musufty. color: Green-bearing 1988 license HIC 8409 and Hertz No. 510/268, and individual identifying himself as MIKE SKOFF. SKOFF. and he needed to report to his place of employment, the Palaukee Airport, Glenview, employee, CHARLES PRIESTER, residence 2748 Covert Road, GlenVIEW. Inquiry by SA WALKER determined that one MIKE KRAFT is the son of S.A. Walker determined that the owner of the Palauknee Airport. It was also determined that MIKE SAKFF. was employed as claimed. Inquiries was made into this matter, inasmuch as Miss DUFFY advised on 5/26/68 that she received a wanted flyer of JAMES EABARD, and she was certain that MIKEE SKAFT and RAY were one of the same. In view of the above, no further investigation. KGC: vmmn (1) SEARCHED INDEXED SEARALIZED FIELD FED FEM-CALIFORNIA FEM.CALIRAE 2019-1864- Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Saving Plan 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The text comprises declassified FBI records from the late 1960s related to the investigation into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) in April 1968. These documents reference James Earl Ray, who was arrested and later convicted of MLK’s murder but claimed innocence, alleging a "third person" was involved. The records include FBI agent notes on tracking Ray, witness accounts involving a boat fire near Lake Michigan, vehicle tracking, alibi checks, and informants like William Piersen. They also mention coded terms such as "MURKIN," references to Western Union cables, international bank accounts in Lisbon, Portugal, and public awareness campaigns via TV broadcasts. The documents reflect FBI efforts to address conspiracy theories and verify Ray’s involvement or potential accomplices.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Convicted of MLK’s assassination; claimed innocence, citing a "third person."  
- **Jerry Ray** and **John Ray**: Names linked to the investigation, possibly family members or associates.  
- **SA DONNELLY**, **SA KINZER**: FBI agents involved in tracking Ray.  
- **William Piersen**: Informant whose reliability was questioned.  
- **Arthur T. Galt**: Mentioned in a Western Union cable request for credit information.  

Key Locations  
- **Lake Michigan**: Site of a boat fire incident involving two men, one resembling Ray.  
- **Chicago, Illinois**: FBI field office referenced in surveillance and operations.  
- **Lisbon, Portugal**: Bank account (Banco Totta-Alliance) linked to financial investigations.  

Key Events  
- **Boat fire near Lake Michigan**: Fishermen reported rescuing two men; one was described as resembling Ray.  
- **FBI surveillance**: Includes vehicle tracking, credit checks, and coded communications ("MURKIN").  
- **Public awareness campaigns**: TV broadcasts of fugitive photos (e.g., WBKB Channel 7).  
- **International financial trails**: Investigation into bank accounts and Western Union cables.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI Chicago Field Office**: Conducted surveillance and interviews.  
- **Banco Totta-Alliance** (Lisbon, Portugal): Bank account under scrutiny for potential financial ties.  
- **Western Union**: Used for cable communications related to credit checks and financial records.

MLK Declassified Files

44-cg-1114_738662_06-07-part_5_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search