</s>9-26-68 AIRTEL AM TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) ATN: DOCUMENT SECTION FBI LABORATORY FROM: SAC, MEMPHIS (44)-1987) P 81928070 MURKIN K489 Submitted herevich with five separate communications Which Sheriff WILLIAM N. MORRIS, JR ., Shely County, Memphis, Tennessee, made available to SAC this date. These are samples of prepared by subject JAMES RAY. These all samples of known handwriting and hand printing of subject RAY . They should be utilized for any additional handwriting comparison needed in captured case In addition, there are furnished herevich to the originals of two letters which were forwarded by RAY to the Honorable W. PRESTON BATTLE of the Criminal Court, Memphis. Judge BATTLE, Judge Judge Judge BATES, SAC. Judge BATTLE, the presiding judge judge BATES to the General PHIL In connection with these letters, District Attorney General PHILL M. CANALLE, raised point that possibility exists that M. Memphis, raised Point that would probably not at some future date. CANALE pointed out that since Judge BATTLE would hear case he was an opinion that it would probably be would have been published in the Department of Criminal Therefore, it is requested that handwriting examination pre- pared by Document Section utilize letters received from Sheriff MORRIS as primary sources for examination purposes. Results of examination regarding letters received by Sheriff MORRISH, M.R.S.M.R ., Jr. ., and Sheriff M. R ., Handwriting examination relative to letters Received by Judge BATTLE should not be incorporated in the examination of hand- writing contained in letters receivedby Sheriff MORRISH. The letters received by Judge BATTIE should be made a matter of a 3 BUREAU (Enc. 7) (AMSD) - REGISTERED) MEMPHIS RJGJ-18N (4) 1/4/4 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI and Memphis Shelby County authorities' handling of evidence related to James Earl Ray's involvement in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Sheriff William N. Morris, Jr., provided handwriting samples from Ray for comparison in the investigation. Letters sent by Ray to Judge W. Preston Battle of the Criminal Court were included for analysis, with instructions that these should be prioritized over other letters received by the judge. District Attorney General Phil M. Canale raised concerns about potential legal implications if the case proceeded through Judge Battle, noting possible publication of opinions in the Department of Criminal Justice. The FBI requested separate handwriting examinations for letters to Judge Battle and emphasized incorporating Canale’s views into findings. Originals of the letters were to be returned to Memphis for delivery to Morris and Battle.  

Additional content includes a memorandum referencing the murder case involving Ray, with details about Ray’s correspondence criticizing media portrayals of him as profit-driven. A separate FBI report mentions suspects Harold Covington and Delmar Grandstaff linked to Leon Kohler, a known fence in Cottage Hills, Illinois, who allegedly advised against spending bank robbery loot for two years. The case involves a 1968 bank robbery at the Bank of Alton, with Ray not present at the time.  

The RCMP in Ottawa is noted as assisting the FBI on Dr. King’s murder investigation, though Post Office records related to the case were destroyed, limiting information retrieval. A fingerprint request for James Earl Ray (alias Ramon Sneyd) was submitted by Phil M. Canale Jr., with prints dated August 6, 1968, from London authorities. The FBI’s Identification Division confirmed the prints were sufficient for court exhibits.  

Administrative documents include a list of Shelby County officials and a work sheet referencing "XBOX REQUEST" files related to Martin Luther King Jr., though these appear to be form or administrative records with minimal substantive content.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (suspect in MLK’s assassination)  
- William N. Morris, Jr. (Sheriff of Shelby County, Memphis)  
- W. Preston Battle (Judge, Criminal Court, Memphis)  
- Phil M. Canale Jr. (District Attorney General, Memphis)  
- Leon Kohler (alleged fence in Cottage Hills, Illinois)  
- Harold Covington, Delmar Grandstaff (suspects linked to Kohler)  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee (Shelby County, FBI SAC office)  
- Cottage Hills, Illinois (Kohler’s alleged operations)  
- Ottawa, Ontario (RCMP involvement in MLK case)  
- London, England (fingerprint submission for Ray)  

Key Events  
- Handwriting analysis of letters from James Earl Ray to Judge Battle and Sheriff Morris.  
- FBI request for separate fingerprint examination of Ray’s prints submitted by authorities in London.  
- Investigation into suspects linked to a 1968 bank robbery at the Bank of Alton, with Ray not present at the time.  
- RCMP assistance in MLK assassination case, though Post Office records were destroyed.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (Memphis, Tennessee)  
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)  
- Department of Criminal Justice (Tennessee)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_21-06-part_4_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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