</s>FD-34/Ron. 5-22-6441" FBI Date: 10-21-68 Transmit the following in (Type in plaintext or code) AIRTEL AM (Priority) Via AIRTIL (Priorit) TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) FROM: SAC, MEMPHIS (44 -3886) MURKIN) District Attorney General PHIL M. CANALE, JR. advised that review of the material in instant case discloses that one Captain John DeSHAZIO appears to have potential for being an excellent witness. DeSHAZZIO appears with his potential for an captain John DeShAZIO is currently a dentist on active duty with the Air Force. CANALLE said the address he has for that he learned that DeSHAZIO is currently the dentist on Active duty with his Air Force, CANALIE said theaddress he has as for understanding that DeSHAZIO was attached to Francisco. It is CANALE's town Tachikawa near Tokyo in Japan. Mr. CANABLE was of the opinion that Captain DeSHAZAIO would be an excellent witness and wondered if the Bureau could be through liasson are responsible with their trial in the Bureau avallable, through for testimony in connection with their TRIAL and have BEHAZIO available. CANALE was of opinion that if Captain DESHAZIQ could be brought back to for the United States on or about November 12, 1968, he would make every effort to utilize his testimony promptly and permit his return to active duty. BUREAU (AM) MEMPHIS REC52 RGI-JBN (4) ST-111 44-5-9-961-5301 1 OCT 29 1968 autel me 10-28. 10-29.1o Rofenas Approved: Special Agent in Charge Sent M Per 2013 RELEASE UNDEREO. 14176

Summary: The document contains a series of telegrams and memos from the FBI regarding James Earl Ray’s correspondence and legal proceedings in connection with the investigation into Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. It references a letter from Ray to J.B. Stoner, thanking him for visiting Memphis and indicating his brother would contact Stoner. The Shelby County Sheriff is instructed on handling Ray’s communications with his attorney, Judge W. Preston Battle, noting that such correspondence is privileged but the sheriff may access notes if necessary. Legal orders emphasize that Ray’s letters should not be perused to ascertain their full contents. The FBI advises Memphis not to accept written communication from the sheriff regarding Ray’s correspondence unless provided orally. There are mentions of Ray’s contact with Stoner for legal representation and ongoing court proceedings in Shelby County Criminal Court. Additional content includes FBI directives to Memphis regarding subpoenas for London witnesses, emphasizing coordination with British authorities for testimony in the state trial. The text also references a 1968 article in "Look" magazine featuring photographs of James Earl Ray and a Ku Klux Klan member, though the photo’s date remains unclear.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (subject of investigation)  
- J.B. Stoner (individual contacted by Ray)  
- Arthur J. Jones (attorney involved in motion filing)  
- Judge W. Preston Battle (ruling on correspondence privileges)  
- Frank Melton (Chief Magistrate, Bow Street Court)  
- Mr. Hanes (Ray’s attorney of record)  
- Robert Dywer, James Beasley, John Carlisle (witnesses interviewed in London)  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis, Tennessee (Shelby County Criminal Court, FBI office)  
- Savannah, Georgia (J.B. Stoner’s location)  
- London, England (interviews with witnesses and police officers)  
- New Scotland Yard (London police headquarters)  

Key Events:  
- Ray’s correspondence with J.B. Stoner and legal counsel  
- Legal rulings on privilege of attorney-client communications  
- FBI instructions to Memphis regarding handling of Ray’s correspondence  
- Subpoena requests for London witnesses in the state trial  
- Investigation into a 1961 "Look" magazine article featuring Ray and a Ku Klux Klan member  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Shelby County Criminal Court, Memphis, Tennessee  
- British authorities (including New Scotland Yard)  
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU; referenced in legal context)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_22-03-part_1_of_4.pdf

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