</s>JN 157-9586 ELMER ALSTON College Street Halls, Tennessee Mr. and Mrs. WILLIAM PHILLIPS Crump, Tennessee Tennessee License IP8559 ROBERT FARRIS Dyer, Tenne sese 1968 Mustang LAWRENCE SUMMERS Denton, Texas 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s alleged involvement in Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, spanning 1968–1976. Key elements include motel registration checks for individuals linked to Ray during March 29–April 3, 1968, focusing on locations near Corinth, Mississippi, and Florence, Alabama, with Canadian registrations noted from Saskatchewan and Winnipeg. The FBI reviewed FD-3025 forms and cross-referenced names against criminal records. A 1969 article by William Bradford Hale in *Look* magazine alleged Ray’s stays at motels in those locations. In 1970, Roy Richard Erwin claimed involvement but was later determined to have fabricated his story. Later documents reference a 1971 lawsuit in Memphis, Tennessee, against the District Attorney General regarding Lee Harvey Oswald’s rifle used in JFK’s assassination, and a 1975 review of Ray’s conviction for MLK’s murder, including appeals for a new trial. A 1976 FBI review ordered by the Attorney General assessed the bureau’s investigation into MLK’s assassination, examining four questions: whether the investigation was honest, if the FBI was involved in the assassination, if new evidence existed, and disciplinary actions. The review involved a task force across multiple field offices. Fragmented teletypes from 1970 mention financial ties between Ray and individuals like Sprague and Billet, as well as claims about CIA agents. A 1977 report details Lamonica’s contact with the FBI regarding Raul Martinez, alleged to be linked to Ray, and concerns about threats to Martinez’s family. References include House Association Committees, witness protection programs, and New York City newspapers.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (subject of investigation)  
- William Bradford Hale (author of *Look* magazine article)  
- Roy Richard Erwin (fabricated claims of involvement in MLK’s assassination)  
- Lee Harvey Oswald (linked to JFK’s assassination; referenced in legal cases involving a rifle)  
- Raul Santiago Estejo Martinez (Raul Martinez, alleged link to Ray)  
- Lamonica (contacted FBI regarding Martinez and threats)  
- Sprague, Billet, Dick Gregory, Mark Lane, Jack Kershaw, Cliff Andrews, J. Edgar Hoover, FBI agents, House Select Committee on Assassinations members  

Key Locations  
- Corinth, Mississippi (motel registrations)  
- Florence, Alabama (motel registration)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI offices, legal actions against District Attorney General)  
- Dallas, Texas (FBI offices, case reviews)  
- Saskatchewan, Canada (motel registration)  
- Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (motel registration)  
- New Orleans, Louisiana  
- Seattle, Washington  
- Houston, Texas  
- New York City  
- Federal Way, Washington  
- Pasco, Washington  

Key Events  
- FBI review of motel records for individuals registered near Corinth, Mississippi, and Florence, Alabama during March 29–April 3, 1968.  
- Investigation into James Earl Ray’s potential contacts prior to MLK’s assassination.  
- Submission of FD-3025 forms with names of motel guests for cross-referencing with criminal/credit records.  
- Analysis of William Bradford Hale’s *Look* magazine article alleging Ray’s stays at motels in Corinth, Mississippi, and Florence, Alabama.  
- 1970 investigation into Roy Richard Erwin’s claims of involvement in MLK’s assassination, determined to be fabricated.  
- 1971 lawsuit against Memphis District Attorney General regarding Lee Harvey Oswald’s rifle used in JFK’s assassination.  
- 1975 review of James Earl Ray’s conviction for MLK’s murder, including appeals for a new trial.  
- 1976 FBI review ordered by the Attorney General to assess the bureau’s investigation into MLK’s assassination, focusing on four questions: honesty of the investigation, potential involvement, new evidence, and disciplinary actions.  
- Fragmented teletypes from 1970 referencing financial ties between Ray and individuals like Sprague and Billet, as well as claims about CIA agents.  
- 1977 report detailing Lamonica’s contact with the FBI regarding Raul Martinez and concerns about threats to Martinez’s family.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Memphis Police Department  
- Dallas Police Department  
- U.S. District Courts  
- House Select Committee on Assassinations  
- House Association Committees  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)  
- Southern Motel, Round-Town Motel, Holiday Inn Motel, Illinois Motel, Phillips Motel, E1-Ray Motel, Nite-Fall Motel (motel operators)

MLK Declassified Files

44-dl-2649_sec_005_ser_661-part_3_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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