</s>OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10 301-104 OLA, N.Y. 1-17 Tolson 01-11-18-1910. 17 UNITED STATES GO. ORMEMENT Memorandum Tolsen Conrad Conrad Conrad TO : Mr. DeLoachPV DATE: November 13, 1968 Tolse Tolso Tolsea Tolsten 1 - Mr. Deloach Tolese Tolser FROM : A. Rossen 1 -Mr. Roosen 1 - Mrs. Rosen Tolle Tolte 1 - M. Roosey 1 -Mrs. Roenen 1 - MR. Bishop 1- Mr. Long 1 -mr. Bishowan SUBJECT: MURKIN SYNOPSIS: 1 -M. Long 1 -MR. SYNOPISIS: This is the case involving the murder of Martin Luther King, Jr. William Bradford, author, has written a second Article, based upon notes of James Earl Ray for "Look" magazine. The article appears in the book of James Ray for 'Look' this issue circulated November 12, 1968. The article discusses various The article appeared in the press. The issue is issued. activities which have previously known known and checked out. It actives which were previously known and discussed out. August, 1967, (no specifics are given) The article discussed various vision set at customs station in United States and Canadian Boroder, contact with "Raouli" in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Border; contact with the "New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mexico regarding exchange of tires (possible contraband and in times) and Ray staying at several hotels in his travels. We are pre- and Ray stayed at several motel in his Travels. We were pre- article is leading the reader to believe that a conspiracy took place as early as August, 1967 and continued up to the day King was assassinated. However, and the specific detail that is provided to was assassinated, however, also, the author refers to Ray Ray was involved unknowingly, but again in the author's hat was substantiate this. ACTION: This investigation is being afforded top priority <loc_832><loc_695>COPIES and you will be kept advised of pertinent developments. <loc_913><loc_141><loc_913>1-2-28-78 JTA-1-3-2 <loc_98> <loc_770>COPies made<loc_158><loc_754><loc_158><loc_770>copies made

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI and U.S. Department of Justice investigations into James Earl Ray’s alleged involvement in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on his cross-border movements, interactions with individuals like "Raoul," and activities in locations such as Birmingham, Alabama; Memphis, Tennessee; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Mexico. The FBI investigated claims of a telephone call made by Ray from Uvalde, Texas, to New Orleans on December 16, 1967, but found no confirmation. Percy Foreman, Ray’s attorney, sought access to the Lorraine Motel in Memphis where King was killed and faced disputes with the FBI over rooming house access. William Bradford Huie, an author, wrote articles for "Look" magazine based on notes from Ray, suggesting a conspiracy existed as early as August 1967. The FBI’s Memphis Division and Kansas City Office reviewed customs records to trace items declared by Ray using aliases, though no conclusive findings were reported. Legal proceedings included contempt charges against George Bonebrake, a latent fingerprint examiner, for allegedly violating court orders by discussing the case publicly. The DOJ sought to refute claims attributed to Bonebrake and prevent unauthorized disclosure of evidence. The FBI also collaborated with Canadian authorities and the Toronto RCMP in a separate investigation (possibly related to MOOS, a name appearing in unclear text).  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (suspected assassin)  
- William Bradford Huie (author, wrote articles on Ray’s activities)  
- Percy Foreman (Ray’s attorney, sought access to Lorraine Motel)  
- George Bonebrake (latent fingerprint examiner, central to contempt charges)  
- Fred M. Vinson, Jr. (Assistant Attorney General overseeing legal strategies)  
- Judge W. Preston Battle (presiding judge in Memphis, Tennessee)  
- Delbert White (unverified individual referenced in Memphis rooming house dispute)  
- Mrs. Bessie Brewer and Frank Brewer (rooming house operators in Memphis)  
- J. James H. Morton (FBI Laboratory)  
- Mr. Cartwright (Crown Attorney, Canada)  

Key Locations:  
- Birmingham, Alabama (Ray’s purchases, hotel stays)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (Lorraine Motel, Shelby County Criminal Court, rooming house disputes)  
- New Orleans, Louisiana (contact with "Raoul")  
- Mexico (border activities, tire exchanges)  
- Uvalde, Texas (alleged telephone call to New Orleans on December 16, 1967)  
- Wichita, Kansas (fingerprint school where Bonebrake trained)  
- Ottawa, Ontario; Toronto, Canada (international collaboration with RCMP)  
- Detroit, Michigan (customs office investigated for Ray’s alias use)  

Key Events:  
- Alleged conspiracy to murder MLK as early as August 1967 (implied by Huie’s articles)  
- Ray’s cross-border movements and interactions with "Raoul" in New Orleans and Mexico  
- Tire exchanges at U.S.-Mexico border (suspected contraband)  
- FBI investigation into a telephone call from Uvalde, Texas, to New Orleans on December 16, 1967  
- Foreman’s attempts to access the Lorraine Motel and disputes with FBI  
- Contempt petition against George Bonebrake for allegedly violating court orders by discussing the case publicly  
- Customs records review to trace items declared by Ray using aliases (e.g., television set, telephone)  
- Legal proceedings in Shelby County Criminal Court, Memphis, Tennessee  
- FBI collaboration with Canadian authorities and Toronto RCMP on a separate investigation (possibly related to MOOS)  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)  
- "Look" magazine (published Huie’s articles)  
- Memphis Police Department  
- Toronto RCMP  
- Wichita Police Department  
- Crown Attorney's Office (Canada)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_22-06-part_1_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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