</s>SATISAS 4721-4830 SATISIS 4721 -4830 44-H-38981 H. S. Department of Justice H.S. Department Of Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILE ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICAL DECLASSIFICATION / FEDERAL BUREAU SECTION 63 SECTION 633 SECTION 6731 SERTIALS 471 - 4830 ATTENTION BEFORE CHANGING CLASSIFICATION OR PROCESSING ANY DOCUMENT FROM THIS FILE FOR RELEASE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, CONTACT FOI/PA SECTION UNIT D, EXT. 5767. FOI /PA SECTION UNITED D, EXIT. 56767. FFB/DOJ USE CARE IN HANDLING THIS FILE Transfer-Call 421 2026 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The document contains fragmented government records related to investigations into James Earl Ray’s alleged involvement in the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A hearing on June 27, 1968, addressed charges against Ray, including possession of firearms, false passport use, and alleged participation in King’s killing in Memphis. Fingerprint examiner George J. Bonebrake testified without cross-examination, stating he had no personal knowledge of King but acknowledged public awareness of his status as a political figure. The hearing also covered Ray’s escape from Missouri State Prison to July 2, 1968, and legal proceedings in England regarding firearms possession. A memo notes FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover’s approval of Bonebrake’s testimony, which was deemed effective against defense claims. Additional records reference unrelated investigations, including threats against political figures and a French police report from Geneva (June 15, 1968) detailing an American observed matching Ray’s description at a restaurant in April 1968.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (suspected assassin of Dr. King)  
- George J. Bonebrake (fingerprint examiner)  
- John Minnich (legal advisor)  
- Mr. DeLoach (recipient of memos)  
- Fred Vinson (Assistant Attorney General)  
- Thomas Butler (New Scotland Yard superintendent)  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis, Tennessee (site of Dr. King’s assassination)  
- London, England (Ray’s arrest and legal proceedings)  
- Geneva, Switzerland (French police investigation)  
- Missouri State Prison (Ray’s escape charge)  

Key Events:  
- Hearing on June 27, 1968, regarding Ray’s charges (firearms, passport fraud, King’s killing)  
- FBI testimony by George J. Bonebrake about Dr. King’s public status  
- Ray’s arrest in London on June 8, 1968, under alias Ramon George Sneyd  
- French police investigation into Ray’s possible presence in Geneva (April 1968)  
- Legal proceedings in England involving Ray’s false passport and firearms possession  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- United States Department of Justice  
- Geneva Police Department (Switzerland)  
- Missouri State Prison authorities  
- Federal Police Division, Bern (Switzerland)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_19-02-part_1_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search