</s>44-38861-5920 FILL CEN. 38861.38862.38961.3920. FILL CER. 38962.3930. FLL CER, FILL. 38982. 3920. 3930. ENTIRE FILE REVIEWER FOR HISTORICAL DECLASSIFICATION SARLINGER EDA TIFORMATIOR CORPORATE REFERENT IS UNCLASSTED DATE: 12-21-01 W.SPLICK.K.F00 2005 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents consist of FBI Laboratory reports and transmittal forms from 1968–1969 detailing handwriting analysis, fingerprint comparisons, and document examinations related to investigations into James Earl Ray (FBI #405942G) and other individuals linked to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Key findings include:  
- Handwriting analysis confirmed that specimens such as Q385 (a letter dated February 4, 1968, signed by Eric S. Galt) were likely prepared by someone associated with Ray’s known handwriting. A typewritten letter dated February 1, 1966, addressed to Mr. Hewitson and signed by Eric S. Galt was examined for potential ties to Ray.  
- A registration card bearing the name "John L. Rayms" was determined to have been written by James Earl Ray, with photographs taken for record. A cardboard box containing handwritten notations referencing "James Earl Ray 112 Tucker St. Leland, Mississippi" was analyzed but concluded not to be authored by Ray due to handwriting discrepancies.  
- Payroll checks and documents linked to the Indian Trail Restaurant, Inc., payable to "John Rayns" or "John L. Raynes," were examined. Handwriting on some specimens (e.g., Q407, Q408) was confirmed as Ray’s, while others showed inconsistencies. A handwritten letter signed "Lord R. G. Sneyd" was attributed to Ray through handwriting analysis.  
- The FBI compared handwriting from a note linked to an attempted bank robbery in London (June 29, 1967) with Ray’s known writing, determining it was not his work. Laboratory reports reference case files (e.g., 44-38861, 44-38981) and involve coordination between FBI offices in Memphis, Birmingham, San Diego, and London.  
- A Palmer Writers School pamphlet was examined for potential connections between Ray and ERIC A. Waugh.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (FBI #405942G): Central suspect in MLK’s assassination; his handwriting and fingerprints were analyzed across multiple documents.  
- Eric S. Galt: Signature on a letter dated February 4, 1968, analyzed for potential ties to Ray.  
- Ronald F. Hemitson: Handled correspondence related to Rhodesia and FBI investigations.  
- Mr. Hewitson: Received letters from the FBI regarding Rhodesia and was involved in handling documents linked to Ray’s activities.  
- William A. Marshall: Compared with Howard Mason Birrell Jr. (FBI #1971469) via fingerprint analysis.  
- Howard Mason Birrell Jr.: On federal parole at the time of some investigations; his fingerprints were compared with those of William A. Marshall.  
- Richard Tufts: Sailor in San Diego investigated for potential ties to individuals linked to the case.  
- Ramon George Sneyd: Linked to passport and international travel documents.  
- Tames E. Jayr: Name on subscription form for "Sweet Magazine."  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee: Central to the MLK assassination investigation; referenced in FBI file numbers (e.g., 44-1987).  
- St. Louis, Missouri: Address mentioned on a registration card.  
- Chicago, Illinois: Source of specimens including payroll checks and documents.  
- Birmingham, Alabama: Involved in a case related to the Palmer Writers School pamphlet and potential connections to Ray.  
- San Diego, California: Handwriting analysis conducted on a green ink note linked to George Robert Leisinger; Richard Tufts’ ties investigated.  
- London, England: Bank robbery investigation (June 29, 1967) compared with Ray’s handwriting.  
- Los Angeles, California: Linked to Howard Mason Birrell Jr.’s parole records.  
- Washington, D.C.: FBI Laboratory and headquarters referenced in reports.  

Key Events  
- FBI laboratory analysis of typewritten letters, handwriting comparisons, and fingerprint examinations involving James Earl Ray, Eric S. Galt, and others.  
- Investigation into a bank robbery in London (June 29, 1967), concluding the note was not written by Ray.  
- Examination of a Palmer Writers School pamphlet linked to potential connections between Ray and ERIC A. Waugh.  
- Coordination between FBI offices in Memphis, Birmingham, San Diego, and London for document analysis and case file management.  
- Fingerprint comparisons between William A. Marshall and Howard Mason Birrell Jr.  
- Examination of subscription forms for magazines, including "Sweet Magazine" and "Select Magazine."  
- Mention of Howard Mason Birrell Jr.’s federal parole status.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted handwriting, fingerprint, and typewriter analysis on documents related to the MLK assassination investigation.  
- FBI Laboratory: Analyzed specimens such as Q385, handprinted notes, and compared them with known samples from suspects like Ray.  
- U.S. Department of Justice: Referenced in administrative headers and case file management.  
- Select Associates: Publisher of magazines referenced in documents (e.g., "Sweet Magazine" and "Select Magazine").  
- Palmer Writers School: Mentioned in a case involving potential connections between Ray and ERIC A. Waugh.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861-bulky_hs1-233652821_65-06-part_1_of_3.pdf

Document Summary

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