</s>RECEIVEL RECID-TELETYPE UNIT RECEIVELL F.B RECYO-ROSEN F.D.I. APR 9 1 22 AM'S 3 4:09 PM'68 A 5 4 00PM'68 REC'O-CIV RIGHTS F.E.B.I FBT U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE APR 3 1 49 PM'66 LETELADE 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents detail FBI investigations into potential suspects related to Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. John Willard, a man working at Day Brite Lighting Company in Tupelo, Mississippi, was interviewed on April 4, 1968. He reported working from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM and attending a union meeting with Billy Glen Dowdy. Willard stated he remained at his residence after 5:10 PM, awaiting his wife's arrival. FBI agents noted discrepancies in his alibi and confirmed his work hours via personnel records. A second John Willard was identified in the Tupelo area, potentially linked to credit bureau records. Bobby Dean Medlin, a suspect from Charleston, South Carolina, is highlighted for his prior statements expressing intent to kill MLK, including references to a rifle similar to the one used in JFK's assassination. The FBI sought confirmation of Medlin’s activities and mental state, noting his history of erratic behavior. Fingerprint analysis indicated no match with known suspects, though other individuals like David Krogol and Charles Ray Hoover were mentioned in unrelated contexts.  

Key People  
- **John Willard**: Interviewed by FBI agents; reported alibi for April 4, 1968.  
- **Billy Glen Dowdy**: Attended union meeting with Willard.  
- **Bobby Dean Medlin**: Suspect linked to MLK assassination due to prior statements and mental instability.  
- **David Krogol**: Mentioned in fingerprint analysis; no match found.  
- **Charles Ray Hoover**: Referenced in fingerprint records; no direct connection to MLK case.  

Key Locations  
- **Tupelo, Mississippi**: Where John Willard worked and resided.  
- **Charleston, South Carolina**: Medlin’s residence and alleged origin.  
- **San Diego, California**: Mentioned in unrelated context (James A. Ward’s correspondence).  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into John Willard’s alibi for April 4, 1968.  
- Surveillance of Bobby Dean Medlin due to his expressed intent to kill MLK.  
- Fingerprint analysis indicating no match with known suspects.  
- Credit bureau records referencing a second John Willard in Tupelo.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, fingerprint analysis, and surveillance.  
- **Credit bureaus**: Mentioned in context of identifying potential individuals.  
- **Local law enforcement**: Involved in verifying alibis and suspect activities.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_01-02-part_5_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

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