</s>Honorable H.I.F.C. Humphries Page 2 November 1, 1968 trip. This amount advanced will then be deducted from the total amount due you upon being paid your additional witness' fees here in Memphis. In view of our trial date being November 12, 1968, it is import- tant for us to be notified as soon as possible whether you will be available to visit the United States. Although the trial date is set for November 12th, it it is not expected that you will need to be needed on that date, it will probably take us some time to select a jury, and we will have other witnesses to offer in evidence prior to the need for your presence. I estimate to be informed that you are available for attendance, we will and when you notify us that you're available for assistance, we'll give you approximately one week's advance notice in order that you might receive more money needed in Memphis. It is anticipated that might receive will notify me one week in Memphis and no even time you need- sassy for you to testify at the trial, and in an even will you be required for more than three or four days. With my personal thanks to you for your wonderful cooperation in this matter, I remain, Sincerely yours, PHIL M. CANALE, JR. DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT STATE OF TENNESSEE PMCjr/1b 2019 RELEASE UNDEREO. 14176

Summary: The documents detail preparations for James Earl Ray’s trial for the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., scheduled for November 12, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Communications between the Tennessee District Attorney’s Office (Phil M. Canale Jr.) and federal agencies (FBI, Department of Justice) outline arrangements to secure international witnesses, including Captain John J. Deshazo (Japan), Mrs. Manuela Teixeira Lopes (Portugal), Ramon George Snyder (Toronto, Canada), and British officers Kenneth Thompson and Ronald Burrows. The State of Tennessee requested assistance from U.S. embassies in Ottawa, Lisbon, and London to coordinate travel expenses, lodging, and logistical support for witnesses. Trial planning included jury selection, pre-trial evidence presentation, and witness availability by early December 1968. Separate documents reference FBI investigations into Eric S. Galt’s motel stay at the Flamingo Motel in Selma, Alabama, with no record of his presence despite attorney Arthur Haynes’ claims. Hotel records linked "RAY" to Ottawa (Tom and Country Hotel, August 18–20, 1967) under the name "507 Chestnut Street, Chicago." RCMP and FBI communications referenced William Payton CANN and his brother MICHAEL CANN as suspects in MLK’s assassination, noting Michael CANN was a mental patient in England. The Granada Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama, was checked for entries under John L. RAYNES (possibly an alias of James Earl Ray) between October 23–31, 1967, but no matches were found.  

Key People:  
- Phil M. Canale Jr., District Attorney General (Tennessee)  
- Robert K. Dwyer, Assistant District Attorney  
- James Earl Ray (defendant)  
- Captain John J. Deshazo (material witness in Japan)  
- Mrs. Manuela Teixeira Lopes (witness in Portugal)  
- Ramon George Snyder (Toronto, Canada)  
- Chief Inspector Kenneth Thompson, Ronald Burrows (British officers)  
- Claire KEATING (interviewed about interactions with James Earl MAY and RAY)  
- Yvette CHARLES (sister of Claire KEATING)  
- Ruth CHAPPELL (described meeting Claire KEATING in Montreal)  
- William Payton CANN (linked to MLK assassination investigation)  
- Michael CANN (brother of William Payton CANN, claimed mental patient in England)  
- John L. RAYNES (name checked at Granada Hotel, Birmingham, Alabama)  
- Mrs. Bessie Barrett (Flamingo Motel operator, Selma, Alabama)  
- Arthur Haynes (attorney for James Earl Ray)  
- Percy Forman (lawyer for James Earl Ray)  
- Sheriff William Morris (Memphis, Tennessee)  
- Thelma Gardner (bookkeeper at Services Unlimited)  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis, Tennessee (trial location)  
- Tokyo, Japan (Captain Deshazo’s hospital)  
- Lisbon, Portugal (Mrs. Lopes’ embassy contact)  
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Ramon Snyder’s address)  
- London, England (British witnesses)  
- Ottawa, Ontario (Tom and Country Hotel, 1967; Claire KEATING’s residence)  
- Montreal, Quebec (Hotel Heron-of-Notro-Dame Street, RAY’s stay)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (Granada Hotel, checked for John L. RAYNES)  
- Selma, Alabama (Flamingo Motel, Eric S. Galt’s alleged stay)  

Key Events:  
- Trial of James Earl Ray for MLK’s assassination scheduled November 12, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee  
- Coordination with U.S. embassies in Canada and Portugal to secure witness testimony  
- Requests for travel arrangements, expenses, and advance notice for international witnesses  
- FBI investigation into Eric S. Galt’s alleged stay at Flamingo Motel in Selma, Alabama (no record found)  
- Hotel registration records linking "RAY" to Ottawa (Tom and Country Hotel, 1967) under "507 Chestnut Street, Chicago"  
- RCMP/FBI communications about William Payton CANN and Michael CANN as suspects in MLK’s assassination  
- Investigation into John L. RAYNES at Granada Hotel, Birmingham, Alabama (no matches found)  
- Legal proceedings against James Earl Ray, including subpoenas for 105 individuals and delays due to attorney changes  
- FBI transmissions about Ray’s trial, including legal challenges to newspaper articles  

Key Organizations:  
- Tennessee District Attorney’s Office (Fifteenth Judicial Circuit)  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- U.S. Department of Justice  
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)  
- U.S. Embassies in Ottawa, Canada; Lisbon, Portugal  
- Press-Scimitar newspaper (referenced in legal filings)  
- Services Unlimited (motel records managed by Thelma Gardner)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_22-04-part_2_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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