</s>FD-36 (Rev. 5-22-64) FBI Date: 4/22/68 Transmit the following in (Type in plantex or code) Vid AIRTEL (Priority) TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) FROM: SAC, NEW YORK (44)-1609) SUBJECT: MURKIN Remtiel, 4/20/68, CYTHIIA LOUISE BRONSON interviewed at NY and advised that she was stewardess on Eastern Airlines Flight 106 which departed Houston for Montreal, Canada, with stops at Atlanta, and JFK Airport on 4/4/68. A photograph of JAMES EARL RAY was displayed to her and she advised that she did not recognize the photograph as being anyone that was on Flight 106. She further advised she cannot recall seeing anyone who would be possibly identical to the photograph of James EARL Ray. EX-115 REC-75 44-38561-1444 C. C. Bishop 3-pureau New York 1-m-mampher OBS: jal. 6 APR 23 1968 (4) Approved: 66APR30188 in Charge Sent M Per 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains FBI records from April 1968 detailing investigations into the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray as a suspect. It includes information about Eastern Airlines Flight 106, which departed Houston for Montreal on April 4, 1968, with stops in Atlanta and JFK Airport; a stewardess on the flight was shown a photograph of Ray but did not recognize him or anyone matching his appearance. The FBI also analyzed a January 4, 1966, television broadcast related to the "Poor People's March on Washington," produced by GHS SHERER of PBL (Public Broadcast Laboratory), and sought details about individuals connected to the march, including those present at a discussion at the Atlanta-Paschall Motel. The FBI requested assistance in identifying suspects via an artist’s composite drawing of a "dark-complexioned white man" with specific physical traits. Investigations also targeted inmates David L. Wilson and Clarence James Clark at FCI Texarkana, Texas, to determine potential links to the assassination.  

Additional records reference a letter from Edward D. Graybeal, dated April 11, 1968, regarding King’s assassination, and include efforts to verify Ray’s aliases, vehicle registration details (specifically 1955-1956 Dodge models with Florida license plates), and employment history at International Shoe Co. Interviews were conducted with individuals connected to Ray, including Jimmie Delton Garner (rooming house owner in Atlanta) and Jerry Ray (Ray’s brother), who claimed he saw Ray twice in 20 years but denied being his father. The FBI sought information on Raymond Louis Curtis, incarcerated in Georgia for murder, who allegedly knew Ray from prison. Military service records were reviewed for Ray’s assignments in Germany, and efforts were made to identify former cellmates at Joliet and Pontiac State Prisons, Illinois. The case was marked as "Armed and Dangerous" and prioritized for action.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin of MLK; subject of FBI investigations into aliases, vehicle records, and prison connections.  
- **Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.**: Central figure in the "Poor People's March on Washington" referenced in TV footage.  
- **Edward D. Graybeal**: Sentenced to death for murder; mentioned in a letter related to the assassination.  
- **Clarence James Clark** and **David L. Wilson**: Inmates at FCI Texarkana; investigated for potential ties to the case.  
- **Jimmie Delton Garner**: Rooming house owner in Atlanta where Ray resided; re-interviewed but intoxicated and unable to identify Ray.  
- **Jerry Ray**: Brother of James Earl Ray; claims he saw Ray twice in 20 years, denies being his father, and mentions Ray’s alleged actions against King.  
- **William Maher**: Uncle of James Earl Ray, residing in Alton, Illinois; associated with pro-Nazi leanings during Ray’s time at a shoe tannery.  
- **Raymond Louis Curtis**: Incarcerated in Georgia for murder; allegedly knew Ray from prison and may provide information.  
- **GHS SHERER**: Associated with PBL (Public Broadcast Laboratory), involved in producing TV footage of the march.  
- **Greg Shuker**: Producer at PBL, identified participants in a discussion related to the march.  

Key Locations  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Site of Flight 106 and the Atlanta-Paschall Motel where discussions about the march occurred; rooming house where Ray resided.  
- **Texarkana, Texas**: Location of FCI where Clark and Wilson were incarcerated.  
- **Montreal, Canada**: Destination of Eastern Airlines Flight 106.  
- **Washington, D.C.**: Target of the "Poor People's March on Washington" referenced in TV footage.  
- **Alton, Illinois**: Home of William Maher and locations tied to Ray’s family and employment.  
- **Jacksonville, Florida**: Mentioned in context of vehicle registration checks.  
- **Tallahassee, Florida**: Computerized automobile registration system referenced for record retrieval.  
- **Georgia (Whitfield County)**: Curtis incarcerated in Dalton, Georgia.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Eastern Airlines Flight 106 departed Houston for Montreal with stops in Atlanta and JFK Airport; Ray was not identified as a passenger.  
- **January 4, 1966**: Television broadcast related to the "Poor People's March on Washington," produced by PBL, analyzed by FBI.  
- **April 11, 1968**: Letter from Edward D. Graybeal regarding King’s assassination received by the Department of Justice.  
- **Vehicle Registration Check**: Investigation into 1955-1956 Dodge models with Florida license plates; challenges in accessing non-computerized records.  
- **Interviews with Relatives**: Including Jerry Ray, Mrs. Shirley, and others to locate Ray or verify family connections.  
- **Military Service Inquiry**: Review of Army records for Ray’s assignments in Germany and potential leads to Legat Bonn.  
- **Prison Records**: Efforts to identify Ray’s former cellmates at Joliet and Pontiac State Prisons, Illinois.  
- **Armed and Dangerous Designation**: Case marked as high priority due to potential threats.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into Ray, Clark, Wilson, and related events; coordinated with regional offices (Miami, Memphis, Birmingham, etc.).  
- **Public Broadcast Laboratory (PBL)**: Produced TV footage analyzed by FBI for connections to the march and assassination.  
- **Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)**: Mentioned as an organization involved in the "Poor People's March on Washington."  
- **Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Texarkana**: Location of Clark and Wilson’s incarceration.  
- **State Automobile Registration Bureaus**: Florida and Georgia agencies involved in vehicle record checks.  
- **International Shoe Co.**: Employment history referenced for Ray’s work in Illinois.  
- **McCormick Theological Seminary**: Checked for any connection to James Earl Ray.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_05-01-part_2_of_7.pdf

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