</s>FD-36 (Rev. 5-22-6464) FBI Date: 7/31/68 Transmit the following in (Type in plantext or code) AIRMAIL AIRMAILL (Priority) Via AIRMAIIL TO : DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) (Prioritiy) FROM: SAC, SAVANNAH (44-(44-1768) (P) MURKIN Re Bunartel/7/25/65, and Swairtel to Director, 7/29/63, captured matter; and Swirtel to Director, 6/28/64, in captioned matter;; and SVAirtel, to Director, in 6/26/64 (ORGANIZATION) RIGHTS PARTY, ORGANIZATIONAL STATES On 7/29 /69, SV 524-8 (PROB) (PROTECT IDENTITY), advised Dr. with regard to the previously reported statements made by Dr. EDWARD R. FIELDS, NRSP, that he was a personal friend by Dr ., EDWARD F. FIELD, NRP, that was a personal murdered of that LUTNING KING, for JAMES EARL RAY, alleged murderer of THAT HANES had called KING, apparently at the NSRP officer, acted mad, and pointed out to that they did not did not officer. Acted mad, but acknowledged out to them that the time did not mentioned that MANES had had been involved in the incident. HANES was so unfriendly, but acknowledge at the time that they According to this source, FIELDs and STONER were were miffed that informant said he has heard nothing further about any crime- informanent said he heard anything further about the corps- pondence from JAMES EARL RRAY or any efforts by FIELIDS or financial status of the NSRP is such that they could not be afford to contribute any money to Ray's defense, although they had made the offer of the name of the Patriotic Legal Aid Fund of Savannah. 3 - Bureau (RM) 2 - Memphis (44'-1937) (RM). 2 - Birmingham (RM (RM) 1 - AUS 3 1969 2 - Bimmingham CMO/bb (8) C.C. Approved: 6TAUG15/5888-cial Agent in Charge Sent M <loc_630><loc_902><loc_630><loc_902><loc_628><loc_914>Per 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI communications from 1968 regarding investigations into potential connections between James Earl Ray, Martin Luther King Jr.'s alleged assassin, and other individuals. Key elements include:  
- **Savannah Office** (July 31, 1968): An informant reported that Edward R. Fields (NRSP) and James Earl Ray had interactions, with Fields allegedly offering financial support to Ray’s defense through the Patriotic Legal Aid Fund of Savannah. The NSRP (National Security Research Project) is mentioned as an organization linked to Fields and Stoner, who were reportedly miffed about Ray’s legal situation.  
- **Charlotte Office** (August 5, 1968): A "Hot Line" column in the *Greensboro Record* discussed rumors of James Earl Ray being in Greensboro on April 4, 1968 (the day MLK was killed in Memphis). Authorities stated they had no information about Ray’s whereabouts on that date.  
- **Miami Office** (August 7, 1968): Margaret Capomacchia, mother of Kathleen Ainsworth, claimed her daughter was involved in bombing activities and implicated Albert Tarrants, Hawkins, Dunn, Harper, Wilson, and others in MLK’s assassination. She described a car used in the incident and radio equipment for jamming police calls.  
- **Jackson Office** (August 7, 1968): A former informant, William Somersett, reported that Capomacchia alleged her daughter was responsible for MLK’s death, with Tarrants and associates allegedly using an automobile and radio equipment to coordinate the attack. The FBI noted potential involvement of individuals linked to bombings in Mississippi.  
- **Memphis Office** (August 6, 1968): A letter from Judge W. Preston Battle advised against contacting certain individuals (e.g., Marya and Laska Van Doornen) to avoid interfering with Ray’s defense.  

The document also contains fragmented communications between federal agencies, including the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice, regarding investigations into potential connections between James Earl Ray and other individuals. It references Thomas Tarrants III, whose movements after his own assassination are described as traveling to Atlanta, Georgia, and later to the residence of a man named Henderson in North Carolina. The text mentions interactions with informants, including Margaret Capomacchia, who provided information about Tarrants' activities. There is also discussion of Barclays Bank slips linked to James Earl Ray's financial transactions, including a slip dated May 17, 1968, indicating his arrival at Heathrow Airport from Portugal. The FBI sought clarification on whether Scotland Yard conducted an investigation into these bank records and their significance.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Alleged assassin of MLK; central figure in multiple reports.  
- **Edward R. Fields** (NRSP): Linked to financial support for Ray’s defense.  
- **Stoner**: Associated with Fields and NSRP, reportedly involved in interactions with Ray.  
- **Margaret Capomacchia**: Mother of Kathleen Ainsworth, who claimed her daughter was involved in bombings and MLK’s assassination.  
- **Kathleen Ainsworth**: Alleged bomber of Meyer Davidson’s residence (June 30, 1968); died in a police confrontation.  
- **Albert Tarrants, Hawkins, Dunn, Harper, Wilson**: Named as potential conspirators in MLK’s assassination.  
- **Thomas Tarrants III**: Assassin of MLK; described as traveling to Atlanta and North Carolina after his own assassination.  
- **Henderson**: Individual in North Carolina associated with Tarrants.  
- **Pernell Ezzell**: Individual involved in Florida-related inquiries.  
- **Arthur Hanes**: Lawyer connected to potential conspiracy plots.  

Key Locations  
- **Greensboro, North Carolina** (via *Hot Line* column).  
- **Memphis, Tennessee** (MLK’s assassination site; FBI security involvement).  
- **Jackson, Mississippi** (linked to bombing investigations and Capomacchia’s claims).  
- **Atlanta, Georgia** (movement of Thomas Tarrants III after his own assassination).  
- **North Carolina** (residence of Henderson associated with Tarrants).  
- **Miami, Florida** (Capomacchia’s claims about bombings).  
- **Heathrow Airport, London** (linked to James Earl Ray's financial transactions).  
- **Barclays Bank** (Heathrow branch; mentioned in financial records).  
- **Shelby County Sheriff's Office, Memphis, Tennessee** (mentioned in FBI correspondence).  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: MLK’s assassination in Memphis; rumors of Ray’s presence in Greensboro.  
- **June 30, 1968**: Bombing of Meyer Davidson’s residence by Kathleen Ainsworth.  
- **July–August 1968**: FBI investigations into alleged connections between Ray, Fields, Stoner, and other individuals linked to bombings and MLK’s assassination.  
- **Movement of Thomas Tarrants III after his own assassination** to Atlanta and North Carolina.  
- **Investigation into James Earl Ray's financial activities**, including Barclays Bank transactions.  
- **FBI inquiries regarding Scotland Yard's review of bank records** linked to Ray.  
- **Informant interactions with Margaret Capomacchia and others** about potential conspiracies.  
- **Communications between federal agencies (FBI, Justice Department)** regarding case updates and document sharing.  

Key Organizations  
- **NSRP** (National Security Research Project): Mentioned as an organization tied to Fields and Stoner.  
- **Patriotic Legal Aid Fund of Savannah**: Allegedly used by Fields to support Ray’s defense.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**  
- **Scotland Yard** (British police force)  
- **Barclays Bank**  
- **Shelby County Sheriff's Office, Memphis, Tennessee**

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_21-01-part_1_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

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