</s>September 28, 1968 GENERAL INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION This is the case involving the murder of Martin Luther King, Jr. This is of Martin Luther King, JR. The attached relates to a court order previously issued by Judge W. Preston Battle, Judge of Criminal Court, Shelby County, Tennessee, con- cening individuals who should show cause why they should not be held in contempt of court. Previous order is in relation to publicity given case by individuals, including Arthur Hanes, Sr ., attorney for James Earl Ray. Stoner is no doubt identical to Jesse B. Stoner, Vice President of the National States Rights Party with headquarters in Savannah, Georgia. The Department is being advised. RE L:hw 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document outlines legal proceedings and investigative activities related to the trial of James Earl Ray for the murder of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Arthur Hanes Sr., Ray’s attorney, confirmed his law firm would represent Ray at trial. Judge W. Preston Battle ruled that Hanes, private investigator Renfro T. Hays, and journalists Charles Edmundson and Roy Hamilton were guilty of contempt of court but deferred sentencing decisions. District Attorney Phil M. Camale Jr. coordinated with FBI agents in Atlanta for pre-trial conferences. Executive Assistant Attorney General Robert Dwyer listed FBI agents and witnesses in Atlanta, including James Dolan, Jack Simpson, Richard Davis, Carl Claborn, Alden F. Miller, Jack T. Beverstein, John G. Sullivan, Rob Kaas, and John Ogden. Dwyer requested contact with additional witnesses in Atlanta, such as Mrs. Estelle Peters, Jimmie D. Garner, Henry H. Waters, Mary L. Bridges, Lucy Caton, Mrs. Ernest Payne, Charles Stephens, and detectives R. L. Davis and Mack Creary. Dwyer planned to travel to Birmingham, where he anticipated no agent testimony. The text includes administrative notes about document corrections, formatting issues, and references to FBI case management records, including cost data and correspondence related to evidence handling.  

Key People  
- Arthur Hanes Sr. (attorney for James Earl Ray)  
- James Earl Ray (defendant in MLK assassination trial)  
- W. Preston Battle (judge presiding over contempt proceedings)  
- Renfro T. Hays (private investigator)  
- Charles Edmundson and Roy Hamilton (journalists)  
- Phil M. Camale Jr. (District Attorney)  
- Robert Dwyer (Executive Assistant Attorney General)  
- FBI agents: James Dolan, Jack Simpson, Richard Davis, Carl Claborn, Alden F. Miller, Jack T. Beverstein, John G. Sullivan, Rob Kaas, John Ogden  
- Witnesses: Mrs. Estelle Peters, Jimmie D. Garner, Henry H. Waters, Mary L. Bridges, Lucy Caton, Mrs. Ernest Payne, Charles Stephens, R. L. Davis (detective), Mack Creary (detective)  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI office and contempt proceedings)  
- Atlanta, Georgia (pre-trial conferences and witness interviews)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (Dwyer’s travel plans and trial context)  

Key Events  
- Contempt of court rulings against Hanes, Hays, Edmundson, and Hamilton  
- Coordination between District Attorney Camale and FBI agents for pre-trial preparation  
- Dwyer’s request to interview witnesses in Atlanta and travel to Birmingham  
- Administrative notes on document corrections, formatting, and case management records  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- U.S. Department of Justice  
- Memphis Division (FBI)  
- Atlanta Field Office (FBI)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_21-06-part_1_of_4.pdf

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