</s>FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LAB FILE Laboratory Work Sheet Re: MURKIN CR File # Lil-38861 00: Memphis (Ul-1987) Lab. # D-563662 JK Examination requested by: SAC, Miami (Ul-(1851) Airtel 5/2/68 Examination required: Document, Fingerprint Date received: 5/6/68 Result of Examination: Examination by: MORTINER Tid. Michael St. Pockie's "rigg E TANER EMA EAY, Specimens submitted for examination Q317 Crafts Ltd. Inc. boat rental agreement dated September 2, 1969, bearing the signature "Michel St. Pierre" Q318 Crafts Ltd. Inc ., boat boat agreement dated September 3, 1967, bearing the Signature "Mickel St. Pierre" Q319 Shell credit card invoice bearing number 1660/0ls, signed 'Michel St. Pierret" Q320 Shell credit credit card invoice bearing number 166/06, signed "Michell Csp. Pierrett Q321 Shell credit Card invoice bearing bearing number 186569, signed *Michel St. Pierre' PHOTOGRAPHED Mai 1:00 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI laboratory examinations of typewritten materials and handwritten documents linked to James Earl Ray, including rental agreements, hotel registration cards, postcards, and envelopes. Analysis focused on handwriting comparisons, fingerprint checks, and typewriter impressions to determine connections between Ray and these items. The FBI sought to verify if latent fingerprints or handwriting matched known records of Ray, with requests for comparisons involving multiple field offices. Examination of a Hertz rental agreement (#39/8/68) signed by "James S.R.Beddger" showed no definitive match to Ray’s handwriting but noted limited analysis due to distorted writing. Another Hertz agreement (#99984), dated 4/19/68, signed by "JAMES E. BODKER," was compared with Ray’s samples, with a Hertz employee in Albany, GA, noting similarities. A hotel registration card for "Sam Major" at the Rockland Hotel in Denver (4/10-4/11/68) was examined, with the manager noting the guest’s resemblance to Ray. A postcard addressed to the FBI from Saint Paul, MN (postmarked 4/29/68), bearing a handwritten message "Happy Hunting Sincerely Eric Galt," was analyzed but ruled out as written by Ray. The FBI also examined typewritten specimens Q304 and Q305, received on May 2, 1968, which did not match material previously attributed to Eric S. Galt. These items were photographed and returned to Buffalo, with administrative notes referencing FBI File No. 44-38861 and Executive Order 14176.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (subject of investigation)  
- Eric S. Galt (referenced as a signatory on postcards and typewritten materials)  
- JAMES E. BODKER (individual whose handwriting was compared to Ray’s)  
- Charles V. Tyson (Hertz employee, U.S. Army veteran)  
- Sam Major/Masey (guest at Rockland Hotel in Denver)  
- Robert Houghton (Deputy Chief of Police)  
- Wesley G. Grapt  
- William John Holan  
- Jack Goulding (Assistant City Editor)  
- Mike Strazzer  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, TN (FBI lab and SAC office)  
- Atlanta, GA (SAC office)  
- Denver, CO (Rockland Hotel)  
- Rochester, N.Y. (postmark location for Q304)  
- Buffalo, N.Y. (FBI office associated with the case)  
- Sandusky, OH (Postmaster involved in envelope investigation)  
- Saint Paul, MN (postcard origin)  
- Florida (title numbers for 1967 Cadillac)  
- Kansas City, Birmingham, Tallahassee (mentioned in context of documents and correspondence)  

Key Events  
- FBI laboratory analysis of typewritten specimens Q304 and Q305 (May 6, 1968), determining they did not match material attributed to Eric S. Galt.  
- Examination of Hertz rental agreements (#39/8/68 and #99984) for handwriting and fingerprint comparisons with James Earl Ray.  
- Investigation into a hotel guest resembling Ray at the Rockland Hotel in Denver (4/10-4/11/68).  
- Analysis of a postcard addressed to the FBI from Saint Paul, MN (postmarked 4/29/68), ruled out as written by Ray.  
- Requests for latent fingerprint analysis and handwriting comparisons involving multiple FBI field offices and Hertz employees.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- FBI Laboratory (conducted typewriter and handwriting examinations)  
- Hertz Rental Agency (Albany, GA)  
- U.S. Army (via Charles V. Tyson’s service record)  
- Los Angeles Police Department  
- Postal Inspector Office  
- Florida Department of Motor Vehicles  
- Department of Justice

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861-bulky_hs1-233652821_67-07-part_5_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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