Summary:  
The documents detail FBI investigative efforts related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. A letter from "Con Amen" dated April 11–12, 1968, alleges MLK was killed by a Black individual due to alleged misconduct by civil rights marchers under his leadership in Alabama (1965). The letter includes a racially coded drawing of a suspect described as a "white man" and references seven letters sent to authorities. An FBI memorandum from April 16, 1968, outlines analysis of latent fingerprints and Thermo-Seal laundry markers linked to the case, tracing markers to Honolulu and comparing prints from Abo Laundry with the FBI database. A suspect named "CARDEN," described as a white male with brown hair and ruddy complexion, is noted alongside a U.S. Marine Corps serial number. The FBI requested fingerprint comparisons of CARDEN with evidence. Noah Jefferson Garden in Birmingham, Tennessee, is identified as a potential suspect. Coordination with local authorities, including the Memphis Police Department and Meade County Sheriff’s Office (Kentucky), is documented. Administrative forms, handwriting analysis on "Eric Starvo Galt," and references to FBI Laboratory activities are also included. A separate document mentions an anonymous tip received at Pacoima, California, alleging Ron Karenga (Black Muslim leader) hid a killer in the Watts area of Los Angeles, described as a Black man with bleached hair. The tip claims Carmichael hired a gunman to kill "Neverard King" (likely MLK) due to ideological differences, prompting FBI instructions to investigate further. Administrative notes on FBI operations and personnel are referenced alongside unrelated inquiries, such as Donald Cameron Gault’s presence at work on April 4, 1966, and a letter from Ohio Representative Whalen.  

Key People:  
- **Con Amen**: Sent a letter alleging MLK was killed by a Black individual, referencing alleged misconduct during civil rights marches in Alabama (1965).  
- **CARDEN**: Suspect described as white male with brown hair, ruddy complexion, and U.S. Marine Corps serial number; FBI requested fingerprint comparisons.  
- **Noah Jefferson Garden**: Identified as a potential suspect linked to MLK’s assassination in Birmingham, Tennessee.  
- **Ron Karenga**: Black Muslim leader allegedly hiding a killer in the Watts area of Los Angeles.  
- **Carmichael**: Alleged orchestrator of a plot to kill "Neverard King" (likely MLK) due to ideological differences.  
- **Louis William Wilson**: Subject of fingerprint analysis; records compared to latent prints from the MLK assassination case.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt**: File analyzed for handwriting by Safemasters Company.  
- **Donald Cameron Gault**: Mentioned in work records dated April 4, 1966.  
- **Mr. Whalen**: Ohio Representative referenced in a letter.  

Key Locations:  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK’s assassination on April 4, 1968.  
- **Honolulu, Hawaii**: Linked to Thermo-Seal laundry markers analyzed in the investigation.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Mentioned as a location for potential suspect Noah Jefferson Garden.  
- **Watts (Los Angeles area)**: Associated with Ron Karenga’s alleged activities.  
- **Pacoima, California**: Postmark date of an anonymous tip referencing the plot against MLK.  
- **Garden City, Long Island, New York**: Workplace location for Donald Cameron Gault.  
- **Washington, D.C.**: FBI headquarters referenced in administrative notes.  

Key Events:  
- **MLK’s assassination (April 4, 1968)**: Investigated by the FBI with focus on latent fingerprints, laundry markers, and suspects like CARDEN and Louis William Wilson.  
- **Laundry marker analysis**: Thermo-Seal markers from Honolulu compared to prints in the FBI database.  
- **Fingerprint comparisons**: Requests to match CARDEN’s prints with evidence and analyze Louis William Wilson’s records.  
- **Handwriting analysis**: File on Eric Starvo Galt sent to Safemasters Company for comparison.  
- **Anonymous tip (April 12–17, 1968)**: Alleged plot against "Neverard King" (likely MLK) involving Ron Karenga and Carmichael.  
- **Administrative notes**: References to FBI operations, personnel, and unrelated inquiries such as Donald Cameron Gault’s work records.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted fingerprint, latent print, and handwriting analyses; coordinated with local authorities.  
- **Safemasters Company**: Provided handwriting analysis services for the Eric Starvo Galt file.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Involved in the investigation with coordination via airtel communications.  
- **Meade County Sheriff’s Office (Kentucky)**: Handled fingerprint and identification records related to suspects.  
- **Black Muslim movement**: Linked to Ron Karenga’s activities in Watts, Los Angeles.  
- **Continental A.L. Assurance**: Company where Donald Cameron Gault worked.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_03-02-part_3_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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