</s>MAY 7 8 47 AM TRP RECORD DE DALY REC.D.B.S.CH. FEI 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14178

Summary  
The documents include FBI investigative records from May 1968 related to James Earl Ray (JER), a suspect linked to Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. One report details Thomas Britton’s testimony about JER’s prison behavior, including his association with "COOLEY’S ORGANIZATION" (a prison gang) and references to a hypothetical reward for MLK’s assassination by the Business Men’s Association. FBI efforts focused on tracking phone calls between Texas and Colorado Springs, as well as inquiries into a Greyhound bus passenger resembling JER traveling from San Francisco to Seattle (April 29, 1968). Additional records reference an investigation into Ken Davis of Arkansas, who allegedly sent a letter to the U.S. President about a hitchhiker incident in Memphis, Tennessee. The FBI attempted to locate Davis but found him employed at the Memphis Publishing Company, which prints local newspapers. Concerns were raised about his mental condition due to "UACB. ARMED AND DANGEROUS" markings. Another segment details an inquiry into John King of Pennsylvania, an inmate linked to Fred Foust of Winder, PA, with no further action taken. Laboratory reports reference fingerprint analysis of documents tied to the "MURKIN" case, including envelopes and letters postmarked in Canada or addressed to Memphis authorities. Specimens showed indented impressions (e.g., "Wittler," "Diller") but could not be matched to prior records.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (JER) – Suspect linked to MLK’s assassination; subject of FBI investigations.  
- Thomas Britton – Former inmate of JER who provided details about his prison associations and alleged connections to COOLEY’S ORGANIZATION and the Business Men’s Association.  
- Ken Davis – Arkansas resident allegedly sent a letter to the U.S. President about a hitchhiker incident in Memphis; employed at Memphis Publishing Company.  
- John King – Pennsylvania inmate linked to Fred Foust.  
- Fred Foust – Long-time resident of Winder, PA; associated with John King.  
- Unknown individuals referenced in lab specimens (e.g., "Wittler," "Diller").  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, TN – Center of MLK assassination investigation; site of the Memphis Publishing Company and hitchhiker incident.  
- Richmond, VA – Site of motel interactions involving JER.  
- Birmingham, AL – Location where Britton’s long-distance phone calls were requested for further inquiry.  
- Arkansas – Ken Davis’s residence.  
- Pennsylvania (Winder, PA; Hooversville, PA) – Locations tied to John King and Fred Foust.  
- Canada – Postmarks on envelopes addressed to FBI in Sandusky, Ohio.  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into telephone calls between Texas and Colorado Springs (1967–1968).  
- Inquiry into a Greyhound bus passenger resembling JER traveling from San Francisco to Seattle (April 29, 1968).  
- Thomas Britton’s testimony about JER’s prison associations, including COOLEY’S ORGANIZATION and the Business Men’s Association.  
- FBI efforts to interview Britton while protecting his identity due to concerns about "Cooley's Organization."  
- Investigation into Ken Davis’s letter to the U.S. President about a hitchhiker incident linked to Memphis.  
- Inquiry into John King’s incarceration and connection to Fred Foust.  
- Laboratory analysis of documents (envelopes, letters) for fingerprint and handwriting comparisons in the "MURKIN" case.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Conducted telephone call investigations, prison inmate inquiries, and laboratory analyses.  
- Memphis Publishing Company – Employed Ken Davis; prints local newspapers.  
- Anonymous Letter File – Used for document comparison in lab reports related to the "MURKIN" case.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_10-02-part_3_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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