</s>7/24/68 PLAINTERT AIRTEL TO: . SAC, HOUSTON. FROM: SAC, MEMPHIS (P) SUBJECT: MURKIN. 00: ME Re Houston letter to Memphis, 7/23/68. Investigation conducted by the various field divisions involved in this phase of the investigation has failed to date to identify the receiver of the alleged telephone call made by subject RAY. Since this phase is the investigation was approved by the Bureau, Houston will continue to conduct investigation regarding this phase until all logical investigation has been completed. A copy of this airtel has been directed for the information of Now Orleans since New Orleans has been involved in the phase of this investigation. 2-Houston 1-New Orleans 2-Memphis INFO RFB: PEH (5) 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigative activities related to James Earl Ray (JER) and Reverend Mike Murdock during 1968, including efforts to trace phone calls, track individuals, and manage case costs. A notebook discovered in Roy Clark’s possession in Oklahoma City (April 1968) contained notations referencing MLK’s assassination dates, such as "4-4-5-68-68 -Martin Luther King shot in the face and neck." Motel registration records from Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, and other states between March 29–April 3, 1968, were compiled, including names, license plate details, and vehicle information. The FBI discontinued monthly cost data submissions for the "MURKIN" case (linked to JER) by March 1969. Communications between FBI agents and Percy Foreman, JER’s attorney, addressed Ray’s cooperation with authorities, legal strategies, and allegations of FBI evidence concealment.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspect in MLK’s assassination; subject of FBI investigations and legal representation by Percy Foreman.  
- **Percy Foreman**: Attorney for James Earl Ray; provided statements about Ray’s cooperation with authorities and alleged FBI misconduct.  
- **Reverend Mike Murdock**: Subject of tracking efforts via phone number 477-4851 in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  
- **Sybil Marie Johnson**: Testified about not receiving calls from JER or his aliases; linked to Orange, Texas, and Starks, Louisiana.  
- **Roy Clark**: Individual whose possession of a notebook with MLK-related notations was noted.  
- **Robert Jensen**: Contacted FBI regarding Percy Foreman’s stance on interviewing James Earl Ray.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Central to the investigation; FBI SAC (Special Agent in Charge) based there.  
- **Houston, Texas**: Involved in tracking JER-related phone calls.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Participated in investigations related to JER and Reverend Murdock.  
- **Lake Charles, Louisiana**: Phone number 477-4851 used to track Reverend Mike Murdock.  
- **Orange, Texas**: Sybil Marie Johnson’s residence.  
- **Starks, Louisiana**: Address linked to Sybil Marie Johnson.  
- **Oklahoma City, Oklahoma**: Location of the notebook discovery referencing MLK’s assassination.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Motel registration listed in investigative records.  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into JER’s phone call recipient (7/24/68).  
- Cost and mileage statistics for the Murkin case reported (8/1/68).  
- Tracking Reverend Mike Murdock via phone number 477-4851 in Lake Charles, Louisiana (9/3/68).  
- Sybil Marie Johnson’s testimony denying contact with JER or his aliases (8/16/68).  
- Discovery of a notebook in Roy Clark’s possession containing notations about MLK’s assassination dates (April 1968).  
- Discontinuation of monthly cost data submissions for the MURKIN case by the FBI (March 1969).  
- Collection of motel registration records from multiple states between March 29–April 3, 1968.  
- Communications between FBI agents and Percy Foreman regarding JER’s legal defense and alleged FBI misconduct.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into JER, Reverend Murdock, and MLK-related notations; managed case costs and administrative records.  
- **Oklahoma City Police Department**: Referenced in the context of the notebook discovery.  
- **Local police departments** (e.g., Birmingham, Memphis): Involved in administrative records and case management.

MLK Declassified Files

44-ho-1509_sec_008_ser_456-part_3_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

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