</s>NECID-JAY ROUILD FBI 1. S. DEPT OF STIDE AUG 14 13 30 mHt

Summary  
The documents detail FBI and Department of Justice communications regarding the investigation into Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination in 1968, focusing on James Earl Ray's apprehension, legal proceedings, and related inquiries. An interview with James Robert Willett ("Crazy Willie") at Joliet, Illinois, notes his criminal history but no direct ties to MLK's murder. Sidney Barnes in Mobile, Alabama, is identified as a suspect under investigation due to neighborhood reports of his movements around the time of the assassination. The FBI tracks passport applications and RCMP reports from Canada, including references to Portugal and Ottawa, while coordinating with state authorities like Shelby County, Tennessee, for trial preparation. Vernon Hill raises concerns about FBI handling of evidence related to James Earl Ray's case. Fred M. Vinson Jr., Assistant Attorney General, authorizes the release of investigative documents to Tennessee State Attorney General Phil M. Canale regarding Ray's apprehension and legal proceedings. Threats against Donald Wood, a witness in Ray's trial, are reported to authorities, with the FBI notifying local agencies and other states. Ongoing FBI investigations include interviews with individuals like Walter Brumby, Delmar Grindstaff, and Willie Lee, as well as updates on cases such as the Alton bank robbery linked to Harold Covington.  

Key People  
- James Robert Willett ("Crazy Willie") – Interviewed inmate with criminal history (forgery, burglary) but no direct ties to MLK's assassination.  
- Sidney Barnes – Suspect in Mobile, Alabama, under investigation for potential links to MLK's murder.  
- Margaret Cepanachis – Mother of Kathleen Ainsworth; denied involvement in the assassination.  
- Vernon Hill – Correspondent expressing concerns about FBI handling of evidence related to James Earl Ray's case.  
- James Earl Ray – Subject of investigation and apprehension following MLK's assassination.  
- Jeremiah O'Leary – Author of *Reader's Digest* article discussing Ray's capture.  
- Phil M. Canale Jr. – Tennessee State Attorney General; received investigative documents on Ray's case.  
- Fred M. Vinson Jr. – Assistant Attorney General, authorized release of FBI documents to Tennessee authorities.  
- Donald Wood – Witness in James Earl Ray's trial; threats against him reported to authorities.  
- Walter Brumby – Arizona resident interviewed by FBI.  
- Delmar Grindstaff – Illinois individual under investigation.  
- Willie Lee – Associated with Harold Covington and the Alton bank robbery case.  

Key Locations  
- Joliet, Illinois – Site of James Robert Willett's interview.  
- Memphis, Tennessee – Focal point for state-federal coordination on MLK assassination investigation.  
- Mobile, Alabama – Sidney Barnes' residence; area under surveillance.  
- Canada (Portugal, Ottawa) – RCMP reports referenced in FBI international tracking efforts.  
- Brawley, California – Vernon Hill's location; inquiry about FBI involvement in *Reader's Digest* article.  
- Birmingham, Alabama – FBI office involved in telecommunications and investigations.  
- Springfield, Illinois – FBI office referencing ongoing cases like the Alton bank robbery.  
- Alton, Illinois – Site of bank robbery linked to Harold Covington.  
- Arizona (Bibbee) – Mentioned in context of Walter Brumby's residence.  
- Washington, D.C. – FBI headquarters; coordination with Department of Justice.  

Key Events  
- FBI interviews inmates at Missouri State Penitentiary and other facilities regarding potential plots against MLK.  
- Surveillance and neighborhood reports on Sidney Barnes' movements around the time of MLK's assassination.  
- Coordination between FBI, Department of Justice, and Shelby County, Tennessee, for trial preparation and evidence sharing.  
- FBI provides biographical data on James Earl Ray to aid in his apprehension; clarifies non-involvement in *Reader's Digest* article by Jeremiah O'Leary.  
- Authorization by Fred M. Vinson Jr. to release investigative documents to Tennessee authorities regarding Ray's case.  
- Reporting of threats against Donald Wood, a witness in Ray's trial, with FBI notifying local agencies and other states.  
- Ongoing FBI investigations into the Alton bank robbery and associated individuals (e.g., Harold Covington).  
- Interviews conducted by FBI agents with Walter Brumby, Delmar Grindstaff, and Willie Lee as part of broader inquiries.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Central to investigation, handling interviews, tracking suspects, and coordinating with state agencies.  
- United States Department of Justice – Involved in case coordination and legal proceedings.  
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) – Provided reports on passport applications and international investigations.  
- New Scotland Yard – UK police force referenced in FBI communications regarding James Earl Ray's case.  
- Shelby County, Tennessee – State authority collaborating with federal agencies on trial preparation for James Earl Ray.  
- Birmingham Police Department (Alabama) – Involved in telecommunications and investigative updates.  
- Madison County Sheriff's Office (Illinois) – Mentioned in context of the Alton bank robbery investigation.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_21-01-part_5_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

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