</s>OFFICIAL NO. 17 301-10-19 OFFICIAAL NO. 18 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Tolson C-141 AIR FORCE United States Government Memorandum Tolton C-1A2H C-2A3H C-4A2B C-5A2 Memorandum C-6A2 C-7A2 C-8A2A C-9A3 C-10A2 C-11A2 C-12A2 C-14A2 C-15A2 C-16A2 C-17A2 C-18A2 C-19A2 C-20A2 C-21A2 C-22A2 C-23A2 FROM : D. J. J ., Brennan, Jr. DATE: 6/14/68 C-24A2. C-25A2, C-26A1. SUBJECT MURKIN Reference is made to memorandum Mr. Deloach to MURKEN Mr. Tolson, 6/10/68, in which Liaison was requested to ascentant to the United States. In which liaison was required to a restraining kit to Legal Attach, London. Air Air Force to have a restraining kit flow to transport Arrangements were made by Liaison Agent with the Air Force to be a restraining Kit flown to London via C-41 Air Force force to have an emergency kit that was put on board a C-44A1 aircraft at 50266 (50266 Restraining Kit was put to board a Delaware Air Force at 11:30 a. Eastern Daylight Time, 6:14/64/68), due to arrive at: 1:30 am. (6:30 pm. (1:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.) Daylight Time, 6/14 a.M. the aircraft England 6:20 a. M.V. (Vern W.W. Wood. The Office of the Legal Attache, London, was to- phonically advised by cost-free facilities at 1:00 p.M ., of the above and instructed to have to have the representative of the <loc_760><loc_512><loc_760><loc_525><loc_170><loc_525>officials and aircraft and obtain possession of the restraining kit. <loc_168><loc_550>ACTION: None. For information. <loc_272><loc_616><loc_272><loc_617>NFS: k/w/silen <loc_168><loc_657><loc_202><loc_657><loc_202><loc_668><loc_168><loc_668>(7)

Summary  
The documents detail U.S. government investigations into James Earl Ray’s movements and potential connections to anti-Vietnam War groups, including the Minuteman Organization, during his alleged travels in Canada, Portugal, and England following Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. FBI records reference Ray’s gun purchases in Birmingham, Alabama, and motel stays in Montreal, Canada, while noting no conclusive evidence of conspiracy involving him or the Minuteman Organization. Investigations also tracked Ray’s travel from Toronto to London (May 1968), his alleged presence in Lisbon, Portugal, and subsequent arrest at London Airport (June 1968). Seized items included firearms, passports, and personal belongings. Extradition discussions with British and Portuguese authorities highlighted legal complexities, including weak U.S.-Portugal treaty terms. Additional files mention Jules Rocco Kimball’s ties to New Orleans bombings and Ray’s brother John Larry Ray’s activities in St. Louis linked to civil rights work. FBI internal communications addressed evidence handling, witness interviews, and coordination with airline officials.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (suspect in MLK Jr.’s assassination)  
- Robert Johnson (Toronto Star reporter; inquiry about fugitives in Canada)  
- Jules Rocco Kimball (linked to New Orleans bombings and files)  
- Arthur J. Jones (lawyer representing Ray, former Birmingham mayor)  
- John Larry Ray (Ray’s brother; observed at St. Louis tavern linked to civil rights work)  
- George Robert Leisinger (FBI No. 584-742; mentioned in handwritten note)  
- Special Agents Joe C. Hester, Cecil C. Custer, and others (involved in investigations)  
- Sir Elwin Jones (British legal official; extradition discussions)  
- Fred M. Vinson, Jr., Stephen J. Pollak (U.S. Department of Justice officials)  

Key Locations  
- Birmingham, Alabama (Ray’s gun purchases, motel stays)  
- Montreal, Canada (Minuteman Organization connections)  
- Lisbon, Portugal (alleged Ray presence; extradition treaty issues)  
- London, United Kingdom (Ray’s arrest, extradition hearings)  
- Toronto, Canada (Ray’s departure point for London)  
- New Orleans, Louisiana (Kimball’s arrest records)  
- St. Louis, Missouri (John Larry Ray’s tavern observations)  
- Brussels, Belgium (property seized from Ray post-arrest)  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into Ray’s potential ties to the Minuteman Organization and anti-Vietnam War groups  
- Toronto Star reporter Robert Johnson’s inquiry about fugitives in Canada, including Walter Patrick Patrick and Robert Bolivar de Puch  
- Ray’s travel from Toronto to London (May 1968), then to Lisbon, Portugal  
- U.S. Embassy in Lisbon telegram noting Ray’s possible presence but no confirmed evidence  
- Ray’s arrest at London Airport (June 1968) and seizure of firearms, passports, and personal items  
- Extradition discussions between U.S. authorities and British/Portuguese officials  
- Review of New Orleans files on Jules Rocco Kimball and his alleged ties to bombings  
- Legal proceedings in London and Birmingham, Alabama, including extradition hearings and travel document checks  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- U.S. Department of Justice (Criminal Division, Civil Rights Division)  
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)  
- British Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard)  
- United States Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal; London, United Kingdom  
- Airline companies (BOAC, B.E.A.)  
- Portuguese authorities (extradition treaty discussions)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_17-04-part_1_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

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