</s>and necessary to RECD - CITY RIGHTS 8.8.0.1.13.08 indy and for the FBI Oct 15 '96 REC'D OCT11 50 PM 66 RECEIVED IN INTELL DIV. FERERERATIVE RECEIVER RECEVED: GENERAL INVESTIGE TIVS OFERERATIVE RECEIVE: RECEVEED: REC'O - CITY CITY 2 AM 668 S.S. 29 PH 1968 OBEIH 2 AM 66 B.I.C. -OCT-D-OF-OF JUSTICE F. B. I. U.S DEPT OF JUSTICE FCT-C.T.O.P. OF JUSTICE OF JUSTICE

The document contains a statement by DONALD LEE MITCHELL dated September 30, 1968, detailing conversations with JAMES EARL RAY while both were incarcerated at Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City, Missouri. Mitchell claims RAY confided about plans to assassinate DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., including a method involving pills administered to guards via coffee to aid RAY’s escape from prison. The text references RAY’s alleged involvement with individuals in St. Louis and Philadelphia to execute the assassination, threats against members of the Kennedy family, and financial incentives ($50,000) for participants. Redacted sections and administrative notes about document releases under executive orders are included, along with references to FBI case files (e.g., 44-1854). A separate section contains coded references and administrative notes related to FBI operations in Birmingham and Memphis during October 1968, including SAC offices, case numbers (e.g., 44-1740, 44-1987), and dates (October 8–14, 1968). It references an order by Judge W. Preston Battle in Memphis regarding courtroom seating arrangements for a trial, "Order on Scire Facias" documents, letters between James Earl Ray and his brother Jerry Ray (October 9–14, 1968), and a letter from Ray to Attorney Arthur Hanes (October 14, 1969). Administrative notes mention payroll savings plans, U.S. Savings Bonds, and document releases under Executive Orders 1476, 14176, and others.  

Key People  
- DONALD LEE MITCHELL: Interviewed by FBI agents in 1968; claimed knowledge of JAMES EARL RAY’s assassination plot against MLK.  
- JAMES EARL RAY: Allegedly discussed plans to kill MLK with MITCHELL, including escape strategies and financial incentives.  
- ERNEST HARRISON, JR.: FBI special agent who conducted the interview with MITCHELL.  
- JERRY RAY: Brother of James Earl Ray; corresponded with him in October 1968.  
- ARTHUR HANES: Attorney to whom James Earl Ray wrote a letter on October 14, 1969.  
- W. PRESTON BATTLE: Judge who issued an order regarding courtroom seating arrangements in Memphis.  

Key Locations  
- Missouri State Penitentiary (Jefferson City, Missouri): Site of MITCHELL’s incarceration and alleged conversations with RAY.  
- Collier County Jail (Naples, Florida): Location where MITCHELL was interviewed by FBI agents in 1968.  
- Birmingham, Memphis, St. Louis: Locations referenced in administrative notes and correspondence.  
- Tennessee, Missouri: Additional locations mentioned in the context of events and correspondences.  

Key Events  
- Mitchell’s interview with FBI agents on September 30, 1968, detailing RAY’s alleged plan to assassinate MLK.  
- RAY’s purported escape strategy from Missouri State Penitentiary involving pills administered to guards.  
- Alleged financial incentives ($50,000) for participating in the assassination plot.  
- Courtroom seating order issued by Judge W. Preston Battle in Memphis for a trial.  
- Correspondence between James Earl Ray and his brother Jerry Ray (October 9–14, 1968).  
- Letter from James Earl Ray to Attorney Arthur Hanes on October 14, 1969.  
- FBI administrative notes on payroll savings plans, U.S. Savings Bonds, and document releases under Executive Orders.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted interviews and investigations related to the MLK assassination; referenced case files (e.g., 44-1854).  
- U.S. Department of Justice: Administrative context for FBI operations and document releases.  
- Memphis Municipal Court: Jurisdiction associated with courtroom seating orders and trial proceedings.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_22-01-part_2_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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