</s>FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Mr. Velonon U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Mr. Deloach U. S. DEPARIMATION SECTION. Mr. Bishop. APR.29 1960 Mr. Casper. Mr. Bishops. Mr. Caspor. Mr. Gale. TELETYPE Mr. Gordon. Mr. Gale. Mr. Rose Mr. Roose Mr. Travel Mr. Tovell Mr. Robert Mr. James Mr. Holmes. 2:37 PM PM (20-6R URGENT BAW Kiss Gandy. TO DIRECTOR (44-38E61) KANSAS CITY MEMPHIS (44+38E6) TAMPA (157-2331) FROM LOUISVILLE (44~9471) 1P 0 MURKIN. CR. 00: MEMPHIS. RE TAMPA TEL APRIL NINETEEN, LAST. INSTANT DATE, CHARLES LYON, MANAGER, HARRY'S AUTO PARTS, FOUR ONE TWO ZERO PINECROFT, LOUISEVILLE, LOVISVILLE, ADVISED HE MANAGES AUTO PARTS FOR HARD KNIERIEM, A PROMENT WELL RESPECTED BUSINESSMAN FOR HARK KNIERIEM. A PRONTIENT LYON AND EMPLOYEE, JERRY WESTERN, STATED KNIERNITY. BOTH ABSOLUTELY NO RESEMBLANCE TO PHOTOS OF SHOOTING APR 3861-1526 ADVISED KNIERMIEM IN LOUISSVILLE AT THE OF SHOOOTING APR 23 1968 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING. ARMED AND DANGEROUS. END OTHER OFFICES TO BE ADVISID END END CAB 62.APR 29 1968 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary: The documents detail FBI and U.S. Department of Justice investigations into potential connections with the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968. Key inquiries include tracking individuals linked to Memphis, Tennessee, such as Charles Lyon in Louisville, Kentucky, who managed auto parts for Knierniem described as "armed and dangerous." Strength in Tennessee is noted for his wife's claim of unreliability and fabricated stories about MLK’s murder. Raynes in St. Louis, Missouri, is interviewed regarding his son’s potential involvement, with Raynes denying knowledge until contacted by Carol Pepper. The L.L. & L. Produce Company in Memphis is referenced, with James William Latch and Frank Camilla Libertto denying awareness of MLK’s death. Henry Robert Giles in Corpus Christi, Texas, is checked for travel to Mexico or Cuba but denies such plans. Joseph Anthony Murphy in Boston, Massachusetts, is probed regarding his son’s alleged trip to Colorado, which does not match photos of Eric Starvo Galt. Additional investigations focus on Eric Starvo Galt, linked to Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta, with hotel stays at Río and Tropicana, marijuana purchases in Yalapa, and a white Mustang with Alabama plates. Henry Richard Giles in Corpus Christi has a history of drug-related employment and a prior murder conviction. James Earl Ray is mentioned through psychiatric records from Missouri State Hospital, including his handwritten letter to Dr. Earl C. Kelper. Flight tracking for Eastern Airlines passengers and potential sightings of Ray or Dennis Holt in Florida are noted. Coordination between FBI offices in Memphis, New York, and Washington D.C. is documented, alongside administrative notes on file transfers, lab reports, and surveillance efforts. Handwriting analysis of specimens K166 and K168 linked to Eric S. Galt yields inconclusive results due to limited data. A ticket envelope from Eastern Airlines Flight 399 (Atlanta to Memphis) is tied to Danny Bates. A suspicious vehicle with Alabama license plate "three one two dash nine one eight eight" is observed in Miami on April 25, 1968, reported by Samuel Rivera of Hudson Service Station, who requests identification or elimination of the license plate owner. The subject is described as armed and dangerous.  

Key People: Charles Lyon (Louisville, KY), Knierniem, Strength (Tennessee), Raynes (St. Louis, MO), Carol Pepper, Melba Ray, James William Latch, Frank Camilla Libertto, Henry Robert Giles (Corpus Christi, TX), Joseph Anthony Murphy (Boston, MA), Elisa Arellano Torres (Mexico City witness to Eric Starvo Galt), Eric Starvo Galt, Henry Richard Giles (Corpus Christi, TX), James Earl Ray, Corrine I. Connor (Pan Am flight stewardess), Dennis Holt, Danny Bates, Samuel Rivera, Ray (resembling the driver of the Alabama-licensed vehicle).  

Key Locations: Louisville, Kentucky; Memphis, Tennessee; St. Louis, Missouri; Corpus Christi, Texas; Boston, Massachusetts; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco (Mexico); Guadalajara, Jalisco (Mexico); Miami, Florida; Clearwater, Florida; Washington D.C., New York; Atlanta; Montgomery; Birmingham; Hudson Service Station.  

Key Events: Investigation into potential links to MLK’s assassination; interviews with individuals in Memphis and St. Louis; checks on Henry Robert Giles’ travel plans; inquiry into Joseph Anthony Murphy’s son’s trip to Colorado; investigation of Eric Starvo Galt’s movements and associations in Mexico; tracking Henry Richard Giles’ employment history and criminal record; psychiatric evaluation of James Earl Ray and analysis of his handwritten letter; monitoring flight details for Eastern Airlines passengers and Pan Am routes; coordination between FBI offices for surveillance and file transfers; ongoing efforts to verify travel plans and potential sightings of suspects; handwriting analysis of specimens K166 and K168; observation of a suspicious vehicle in Miami; request to identify or eliminate the owner of an Alabama license plate.  

Key Organizations: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Department of Justice, Missouri State Hospital, Insurance companies (LA Provincial, Seguros America, etc.), Mexican immigration authorities, Hudson Service Station.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_04-02-part_3_of_7.pdf

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