</s>RECD-CIV RIGHTS MECD-TELE:IPE UNIT FBI FBI APR 15F 5FE 5FE PA PN 8 APR 7 4 18PM 68 Kc KVN Kc KNW EI NEWBAR WE DAD LBI EUCULIA U.S. DEPT. 7 4.59 PMG U. S. DEPARTY OF JUSTICE BE ANC LBI ACH DC LBIE ACH SC EKD . EKDD . EKID . ECECIBIA BACH WEEH CECITETREURS. CBLIION ARCEMILI NDE DE BUTWVN* CBEAM VND IMARERIQUIAVE MEBOLI MEBOMI DIVED IMC LIILEEN IHIELEEN TIVEL AMDEK OB EV MITFITN N' COOLIN' T'S" DIVLD IMC IKEAE GENER AIXIA GIMIA TILLET WEBHIIHIE 12 SEING ENEHENED V CUBA OF JHE ANOHA BEROLI LEBINIVA MEMIIA IHEL IWEI ECHOHT BE VECELIVINED BE VEGELIVINE BE VEBEVBLIVIE CORDIDELED V CIRBECI IN COBUN'N'T A TAN? VE BVIVA HVE DVA. UB. IMLESAIEH LOITTONED IMEIWEIETA A FAAN" VE BE BIVIVA NVE AFFR VILD EHONID V DEI BEL ONI ONL B IELLEVIA VAD CINNIVA OE TEVDO IO MEBORTAE IHE WHILE B COMECESIING MIE IMEIAEN AITIK IAO VOEKRIE" LEEGO DE LIVTIV LOH COUELICE ON VIT LOIKE. UFT W 12-51 BVCE LISEER 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents detail FBI investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. Key elements include tracking Vincent Paul De Palma, a suspect linked to potential involvement in the crime, with his movements monitored in Newport, Rhode Island, and Bristol, Connecticut, during March–April 1968. A limousine driver in Memphis reported overhearing a plan to assassinate MLK on April 4, describing the individual as a white man aged 40–50, six feet tall, with sandy hair and dark glasses. The FBI sought De Palma’s whereabouts on March 29, April 4, and March 30, 1968, to assess his potential role. Communications between FBI offices in New Haven, Memphis, and Atlanta highlight coordination to investigate De Palma and other suspects, including John H. Lloyd of Lloyd Insurance Co., who provided details about a limousine used for MLK’s arrival at Memphis Airport.  

A separate investigation noted the sale of binoculars to an unidentified man at York Arms Company on April 4, 1968, around 4:00 p.m., with the buyer described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, medium build, wearing a white shirt and tie. The FBI recommended creating an artist’s sketch of the suspect and documenting the crime scene. An anonymous tip in New York suggested "Capell" (possibly Campbell) might be responsible for MLK’s assassination, citing his ownership of rifles and a potential $15,000 stash. Discrepancies in information were noted, prompting further checks.  

Fragmented teletype messages reference W.J. Lehmeier, who made a travel reservation from Birmingham to Minneapolis via Memphis and Chicago on March 27, 1968, but did not appear for his flight. The FBI investigated discrepancies in his itinerary and whether he departed Memphis on Delta Flight 932. Another anonymous tip mentioned Clifford Scott, a white male with a tattoo on his right forearm, potentially linked to MLK’s assassination through connections to Norman, Oklahoma, and a mental hospital. Drug store receipts from LIGGETT-REXALL pharmacy near the crime scene were examined. The FBI coordinated with offices in Memphis, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, and Shelby County, Alabama, to verify leads on Scott and other suspects.  

Key People  
- **Vincent Paul De Palma**: Suspect under investigation; linked to potential involvement in MLK’s assassination.  
- **John H. Lloyd**: Provided information about the limousine driver and MLK’s movements.  
- **Bert Kelly**: MLK’s father-in-law, where he resided initially after arriving in Memphis.  
- **Clifton Halter**: FBI Memphis Office agent.  
- **Byron De LaRue Beckwith**: Suspect in Medgar Evers’ murder; referenced in unrelated investigations.  
- **Robert E. Bagwell**: Mentioned as a potential suspect in MLK’s assassination.  
- **W.J. Lehmeier**: Investigated for travel itinerary discrepancies.  
- **Clifford Scott**: White male with tattoo, linked to anonymous tip about MLK’s assassination.  
- **Leslie V. Willard**: Admitted to Yuma, Arizona hospital on April 3–5, 1968.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK’s assassination; crime scene and limousine driver report.  
- **Newport, Rhode Island**: De Palma’s residence; mentioned as a location of his alleged current residence.  
- **Bristol, Connecticut**: De Palma visited this area in February 1968 to meet with his mother.  
- **York Arms Company**: Binoculars sale location on April 4, 1968.  
- **Yuma, Arizona**: Hospital admission of Leslie V. Willard.  
- **New York City**: Anonymous tip about Capell (Campbell).  
- **Birmingham, Minneapolis, Chicago**: Lehmeier’s travel itinerary.  
- **Norman, Oklahoma**: Clifford Scott’s alleged connections.  
- **Little Rock, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Shelby County, Alabama**: FBI coordination locations.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: MLK assassinated in Memphis; limousine driver overheard assassination plan.  
- **March 29, April 4, and March 30, 1968**: FBI sought De Palma’s whereabouts to assess involvement.  
- **April 4, 1968**: Sale of binoculars at York Arms Company to unidentified man; FBI recommended artist’s sketch.  
- **April 3–5, 1968**: Leslie V. Willard admitted to Yuma, Arizona hospital.  
- **March 27, 1968**: W.J. Lehmeier’s travel reservation discrepancies investigated.  
- **Anonymous tip in New York**: Suggested Capell (Campbell) as suspect with rifle ownership and $15,000 stash.  
- **Fragmented teletype messages**: Reference Clifford Scott’s potential involvement via tattoo, Norman, Oklahoma, and LIGGETT-REXALL pharmacy receipts.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into De Palma, Lehmeier, Scott, and other suspects; coordinated with Memphis, New York, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, and Atlanta offices.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Involved in broader coordination efforts.  
- **Delta Airlines Data Processing Center**: Provided passenger records including De Palma’s travel reservations.  
- **LIGGETT-REXALL pharmacy chain**: Linked to drug store receipts examined near the crime scene.  
- **Southern Airlines**: Mentioned in Lehmeier’s travel itinerary.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_01-01-part_6_of_9.pdf

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