</s>UNCLAS DL 44-2649 PAGE TWO CONSCIOUS OF EACH OTHER'S ACTIVITIES. HE IS POSITIVE HIS FATHER OBTAINED THE JAPANESE RIFLE FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE AFTER HE WAS IN THE MILITARY SERVICE, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN AFTER 1970. RECALLED HIS DAD SHOWING IT TO HIN WHEN HE CAME HOME ON MILITANY LEAVE. STEVEN NOT FIRED THE WEAPON BECAUSE HE WAS AFRAID THAT IT WOULD NOT RUNCTION PROPERLY, AND SECONDLY, HE PERSONALLY NEVER KNEW ANY AMMUNITION FOR THE RIFLET. HE PERSONALY NEVER KEW OF HIS DADS USING THE WEAVON. HIS DADD HAD THE STOCK OF THE WEAPon WORKED ON BY A FRIEND WHO WAS A FURNITURE REFINISHER IN CANNYON LAKE, TEXAS, BUT THAT WAS WAS THE ONLY WORK EVER DONE ON THE RIFE. THE GUN WAS OF THE JAPHANESE MANUFACTURER, AS IT HAD JAPANEAN PRINING ON ITS VARIOUS PARTS . WILSON'S DAD GAVE THE GUN TO HIM WHILE HE WASIN THE SERVICE, AND HE HOCKED THE RIFFLE AT A PAWN SHOP IN SAN ANTONIO SOMETIME IN THE EARLY 1970'S, DATE UNRECALLED. HE HAS NO RECEPT IN BILL OF LADING FOR THE RIFLLE. MARK WILSON, 514 SOUTHEAST GARDENS, BURLESON, TXAS, CONTACTED AUGUST 21, 1978, AND ADVISED THE FOLLOWING : 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into Burgess Audie Wilson’s alleged involvement in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) on April 4, 1968. Wilson claimed he shot MLK using a Japanese sniper rifle obtained from Mitch (LNU) and that he traveled to Memphis, Tennessee, via a Bonanza aircraft registered as N34L. The FBI examined his military service history, ownership of the plane, and family members’ accounts of his activities on the day of the assassination. Interviews with Wilson’s son Steven, ex-wife Betty Lou Wade, daughter Debra Jones, sister Christine Wilson, and mother Opal Hooten were conducted to verify his whereabouts and potential connections to the crime. FAA records indicated the aircraft N34L was deregistered in 1962, contradicting Wilson’s claims of ownership. The investigation also explored links between Wilson and other individuals, including Christine Wilson’s association with a sketch of King’s killer. No conclusive evidence or admissions were found in the records.  

Key People  
- **Burgess Audie Wilson**: Alleged assassin of MLK; claimed ownership of a Japanese rifle and Bonanza aircraft N34L.  
- **Steven Wilson**: Son of Burgess Wilson; stated he did not know about his father’s weapons.  
- **Betty Lou Wade**: Ex-wife of Burgess Wilson; denied knowledge of his rifle and described him as mentally unstable.  
- **Debra Jones**: Daughter of Burgess Wilson; reported an arrest in Brownsville, Texas, involving a rifle.  
- **Christine Wilson**: Sister of Burgess Wilson; mentioned in connection to a sketch of King’s killer.  
- **Opal Hooten**: Mother of Betty Lou Wade; provided family medical records for review.  

Key Locations  
- **Grandview, Texas**: Where Wilson’s father resided during the assassination.  
- **San Antonio, Texas**: Pawn shop where Wilson allegedly sold the rifle.  
- **Brownsville, Texas**: Location of an arrest involving Debra Jones and a rifle.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK’s assassination; investigated for proximity to Wilson’s alleged hotel stay.  
- **Oklahoma City, Texas**: FAA records reviewed for aircraft registration details.  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into Wilson’s claims about the rifle and plane ownership.  
- Interviews with family members to verify Wilson’s activities on April 4, 1968.  
- Review of FAA records to confirm aircraft registration (N34L) and its history.  
- Examination of potential connections between Wilson and King’s assassination through witness accounts and location checks.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI**: Conducted the investigation into Wilson’s allegations and related activities.  
- **Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)**: Provided aircraft registration records for review.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Administrative references to case handling and reporting requirements.

MLK Declassified Files

44-dl-2649_sec_005_ser_661-part_6_of_7.pdf

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