</s>2 BH 44-1740 No. Two Man was described as a Negro male, young, approximately 20 years old, 5'4", wearing khaki pants. No. Three Man was describing as a Negro male, 5'11" medium-heavy build, balding hair and worn natural with two parts. This individual also wore metal rim glasses with very small lens. No. Four Man wasDescribed as a negro male, approximately 5'10" tall, approximately 25 years of age, and more than 5'0" wide, approximately 30 years of Age, SAUNDERS stated that upon hearing these individuals talk, he became afraid and ran in the opposite direction so he would not have to pass in front of then. SAUNDENS stated that he then went to the Greyhound Bus Station where he sat the rest of the night. At approximately 10:30 A.M ., the following day, SAUNDER'S stated he returned to Beal Street where he went to a bar started at the tavern at that time. He approximately two beers. SAUDERS stated there that he observed the four individuals in the tavern that he was observing these four individuals he had been at the time. The approximately two minutes and upon coming out observed of the four individuals held he seen the previous night standing on the curb he was near the tavern. He standing on a curb on the Real Street near the Tavern, he observed in 1954 Ford convertible with white top drive up and up on the individuals who were standing on the curb then was driven by a large Negro male with the beard who he was driven the large Negro man with the Beard who he was seen the Previous night. SAURDERS started that he also observed that a rifle sight approximately 8' in length was that he did not see any gun and that it was SANDERS stated that he was not not any gun that was SOUNDERS stated sight not attached to a gun. SAUNDEERS stated he retired to the bus station where he later learned of the assassination of MARTIN LUTHER KING. He stated that up until this time he was unaware that KING was in Memphis and had not 2013 RELEASE UNDERED.C. 1478

Summary:  
The documents detail fragmented investigative records from multiple government agencies regarding the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and related inquiries. A witness named Robert Lee Saunders (also listed as Robert Lee Richardson) observed four individuals in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968, including a large Negro male with a beard. Saunders later learned of MLK’s assassination but could not confirm if these individuals were connected to the event. The text references FBI and RCMP investigations into individuals like James Giesbrecht and William Payton Caan, who were allegedly linked to MLK’s assassination or related activities. A medical board report details William Paton Can’s mental health history, including a suicide attempt in 1968, diagnoses of schizophrenia, paranoia, and delusional episodes, with records spanning military service, psychiatric evaluations, and hospitalizations in the U.S. and UK. Additional content includes FBI file references to James Earl Ray (alias Eric S. Galt) and customs checks in Detroit and Canada during 1967-1968 linked to potential illicit activities. Medical records from 1968 reference individuals with redacted social security numbers, including a patient at Marine Hospital and USAF facilities. Air Force Physical Evaluation Board proceedings from June 1965 mention personnel evaluations and disability assessments. A 1968 FBI report notes the examination of documents related to James Earl Ray’s alias usage, with findings indicating his handwriting on photocopies of hotel registration cards. The documents also detail FBI inquiries into vehicle ownership and license information for James Earl Ray, including a 1962 Plymouth purchased in July 1967 from Bundy Oldsmobile in East St. Louis, Illinois, with Vehicle Identification Number 292116534. Records include Illinois Department of Public Safety license details for John L. RAYNS (likely a relative or associate of Ray), including operator’s licenses issued in June 1967 with descriptions of height, weight, and physical attributes.  

Key People:  
- Saunders (Robert Lee Richardson) – Witness who observed individuals in Memphis on April 4, 1968, and later learned of MLK’s assassination.  
- William Payton Caan – Subject of FBI/RCMP investigations; alleged connections to MLK’s assassination or related activities.  
- James Giesbrecht – Mentioned as having received anonymous information about MLK’s assassination in 1968.  
- Michael Caan – Brother of William Payton Caan, referenced in context of potential knowledge about MLK’s death.  
- Annie Belle Saunders – Wife of Robert Lee Saunders; listed in family records.  
- Sallie Mae Neldsers – Mother of Robert Lee Saunders.  
- James Earl Ray (alias Eric S. Galt) – Subject of FBI investigations and alias usage inquiries.  
- John L. RAYNS – Individual associated with Ray, possibly a relative or associate.  
- James Tabor – Supervisor, Auto Registration Section, Springfield, Illinois.  
- Geneva Jones – Supervisor, Drivers License Section, Secretary of State’s Office, Springfield, Illinois.  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis, Tennessee – Site of MLK’s assassination and Saunders’ observations.  
- London, England – Location of William Payton Caan’s alleged activities and medical records.  
- Charleston Air Force Base (Charleston, South Carolina) – Linked to William Paton Can’s military service and psychiatric evaluations.  
- Holloway Sanitarium, Virginia Water, Surrey, England – Mentioned as a facility where William Payton Caan was reportedly admitted.  
- Detroit, Michigan (U.S. Customs Bureau) – Site of customs checks linked to Eric S. Galt alias investigations.  
- Ottawa, Ontario – Reference to RCMP involvement.  
- Springfield, Illinois – Central to license and vehicle registration records.  
- East St. Louis, Illinois – Location of Bundy Oldsmobile, seller of the 1962 Plymouth.  
- Winnetka, Illinois – Linked to license applications and postal addresses.  

Key Events:  
- April 4, 1968 – MLK’s assassination in Memphis; Saunders’ observations of individuals linked to the event.  
- 1968 FBI/RCMP investigations into potential conspirators or informants related to MLK’s assassination.  
- William Paton Can’s suicide attempt and subsequent psychiatric evaluations, including diagnoses of schizophrenia and paranoia.  
- References to anonymous telephone calls in 1964 discussing MLK’s assassination and its connection to James Giesbrecht.  
- FBI customs checks in 1967-1968 for Eric S. Galt alias investigations.  
- Air Force Physical Evaluation Board proceedings from June 1965.  
- Examination of hotel registration cards linked to James Earl Ray’s alias usage.  
- Medical evaluations at USAF and Marine Hospitals (1968).  
- Purchase of a 1962 Plymouth by James Earl Ray in July 1967.  
- Issuance of operator’s licenses to John L. RAYNS in June 1967.  
- Administrative inquiries into vehicle ownership and license validity by the FBI and Illinois Department of Public Safety.  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Involved in investigations related to MLK’s assassination, James Earl Ray’s alias usage, and vehicle records.  
- RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) – Conducted inquiries into potential suspects or informants.  
- U.S. Army – Linked to Robert Lee Saunders’ military service and arrest records.  
- Air Force Physical Evaluation Board – Evaluated William Paton Can’s medical fitness for service.  
- United States Department of Justice – Administered FBI investigations and legal proceedings.  
- Illinois Department of Public Safety – Handled vehicle registration and license verification.  
- Secretary of State’s Office, Springfield, Illinois – Managed driver’s license records and administrative inquiries.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_22-06-part_4_of_5.pdf

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