</s>ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTOP Department of Justice SERIALS 4697-4759 44-HG-38981 SECLASSIFICATION MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS PI MATERAL MUST NOT NOT BE REMOVEED FROM or ADDED to THIS PI DO NOT HC-38891-2 DESTROY FEDERAL BUREAU FOCA J G9891-2 ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS UNCLASSIBLED DATILY BY SECTOR/PIRCH SECTION 61. SERIAL SERTIAE ATTENTION SATLOM-ON BEFORE CHANGING CLASSIFICATION OR PROCESSING ANY DOCUMENT FROM THIS FILE FOR RELEASE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, CONTACT FO/PA SECTION UNIT D, EXT. 5767. US DO NOT DESTROY F/O/PA SECTION UNITD, EXT, 5767." HISTORICAL VALUE NATIONAL ARCHIVES Transfer-Call 421 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The text comprises fragmented government and law enforcement documents related to the investigation into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) in 1968 and subsequent legal proceedings involving James Earl Ray, who was convicted of the crime. Key elements include Ray’s passport discrepancies, travel patterns between Canada, Portugal, and London, financial transactions, and FBI investigations into his alleged connections to international entities such as South African Airways, British intelligence (Biafra), and mercenary groups in Angola. The documents also reference an extradition hearing involving Ray, witness testimony from Chief Superintendent Thomas Butler of Scotland Yard, and coded references to internal files or communications. While the text does not directly link Ray to the assassination, it highlights the FBI’s efforts to trace his movements, address inconsistencies in his identity, and explore potential ties to foreign networks. The case remains controversial due to gaps in evidence and conspiracy theories about a larger plot, such as the "Gang of Four" theory.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Convicted of MLK Jr.’s assassination; investigated for passport discrepancies, travel patterns, and alleged international connections.  
- **Chief Superintendent Thomas Butler**: Testified during an extradition hearing regarding Ray’s arrest in London (1969).  
- **Bonebrake**: Witness who provided testimony about MLK Jr.’s activities and civil rights movements during the extradition proceedings.  
- **Sr. PASSO**: FBI official involved in tracking Ray’s passport applications and travel records.  

Key Locations  
- **Lisbon, Portugal**: Ray stayed at Hotel Portugal under an alias ("RAMON GEORGE SNEVA") between May 8 and June 15, 1968.  
- **London, UK**: Site of Ray’s arrest in 1969; referenced as part of the extradition hearing and financial transactions involving South African currency.  
- **Canada**: Mentioned in relation to Ray’s passport applications and a canceled Canadian passport issued in 1968.  

Key Events  
- **Passport Discrepancies**: Ray’s name was misspelled on passport applications (e.g., "SNEYDA" instead of "SNEYD"), raising questions about his identity and potential ties to foreign entities.  
- **Extradition Hearing**: Involving Ray’s arrest in London, with testimony from Scotland Yard officials and scrutiny of fingerprint evidence and photographic charts.  
- **FBI Investigation**: Tracked Ray’s movements, financial activities (e.g., currency conversion), and alleged connections to South African Airways, British intelligence, and mercenary groups in Angola.  
- **Witness Testimony**: Bonebrake’s testimony about MLK Jr.’s political affiliations and civil rights activities was considered but not directly tied to the assassination case.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)**: Conducted surveillance on Ray, investigated his passport applications, travel patterns, and financial transactions.  
- **Scotland Yard**: Involved in Ray’s arrest and extradition proceedings; provided testimony during the hearing.  
- **South African Airways**: Mentioned as part of FBI inquiries into Ray’s alleged international connections.  
- **British Intelligence (Biafra)**: Explored in relation to Ray’s potential ties to a "white mercenary" reported in Biafra, though no evidence was found.  

Additional Notes  
- The text includes coded references such as "EX116REC.51" and "MURKIN," which may correspond to internal FBI or government files but lack clear contextualization.  
- Financial transactions involving South African currency converted to British pounds in London were noted, with checks conducted at Lisbon’s Banco Lisbon Acores.  
- The case remains controversial due to gaps in evidence, Ray’s plea of guilty while maintaining innocence, and ongoing debates about potential conspiracies (e.g., the "Gang of Four" theory).

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_18-02-part_1_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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