</s>VIA TELETYPE Mr. Tilton Mr. H. Hirschp Mr. B. Hishp Mr. R. Bischp Mr. F. Hischp Mr. Corrallin Mr. E. Edt. EnCIPHERED Mr. Edit. 1955PM Mr. Elitt. Mr. Tranier URGENT 1-21-69 MSJ Mr. Traver Mr. Traveler Mr. Toomey TO DIRECTOR (44-44-38861) CODE Miss Room FROM PHILADELPHIA (44+3886) Miss Gandy) MURKIN RE PHILADELLPHIA TELETYPES JANUARY ONE NINE, LAST. PH EIGHT NINE SEVEN DASH R ADVISED EARLY A.M ., THIS DATE, JAMES BEVEL WAS IN WASHINGTON, D.C ., D ., C ., ON JANURY TWO ZERO, LAST. HE IS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO PHILAPELPHia TODAY. INFORMANT ADVISID ON CONTACTED ERIC WARD, SCLG OFFICIAL MENTIONED BY BEVEL ON NEWBROADCAST, AS PERSON AGREING WITH HIM THAT JAMES EARL RAY DID NOT KILL, KING. WARD TOLD SOURCE THAT BEVEL IS QUOTE PLAYING A GAME! UNIQUE BECAUSE HE DID NOT WANT RAY EXECUTED. BEVEL FEELS RAY IS PART OF A CONSPIRACY, PEOPLE WOULD AND HIS DEATH WOULD END ALL TALK OF CONSPRACY. TO KILL KING. INFORMAT ALSO ADVISAD MILITANTS IN PHILIPELPHIAPIA AREA REEC 5 FEEL BEVEL HAS QUOTE SOLD OUT UNIQUE. AIR MAIL COPY SENT MEMPHIS. 10 JAN 21:19:03 END. WA ... NSM FBI WASH DC 54JAN 241969 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents detail internal communications and reports related to the investigation into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Key figures include James Earl Ray, accused of killing MLK, and Rev. James Bevel, a Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) official who claimed he had evidence Ray was not guilty. Bevel offered to defend Ray in court despite lacking legal licensure, asserting he possessed "prophetic" knowledge and support from SCLC leaders like Rev. Ralph Abernathy. The FBI noted no verified evidence supporting Bevel’s claims and instructed against further investigation into certain individuals, including Malcolm Davis, who allegedly provided a tape of an interview between Ray and Andy. The Bureau also referenced telegrams and interviews where Bevel claimed to have spoken with MLK’s murderer and emphasized his belief in Ray’s innocence.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray**: Accused of assassinating MLK; subject of legal defense offers by Rev. James Bevel.  
- **Rev. James Bevel**: SCLC official who claimed evidence Ray was not guilty, refused to divulge details, and offered to represent Ray in court.  
- **Rev. Ralph Abernathy**: SCLC president reportedly convinced of Ray’s innocence.  
- **Malcolm Davis**: Alleged correspondent linked to a tape of an interview between Ray and Andy, though no tape was confirmed.  

Key Locations:  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of Shelby County Jail where Ray was held; location of Bevel’s meetings with Percy Forman (Ray’s attorney).  
- **Philadelphia, Pennsylvania**: Where Bevel resided and conducted interviews.  
- **New York City**: Mentioned in telegrams and as a location for Malcolm Davis.  

Key Events:  
- **Bevel’s public claims**: Asserted Ray did not kill MLK, refused to share evidence, and stated he had "prophetic" knowledge of the murder.  
- **FBI instructions**: Advised against interviewing certain individuals (e.g., Marjorie Largent) and conducting further investigations without Bureau approval.  
- **Telegrams and interviews**: Bevel’s statements were disseminated via media outlets like the *Commercial Appeal*, with claims he had spoken to MLK’s murderer and was in contact with SCLC leaders.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)**: Organization led by Rev. Abernathy, which Bevel claimed supported Ray’s innocence.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Monitored the case, reviewed Bevel’s claims, and issued directives on investigative protocols.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Involved in legal and administrative aspects of the investigation.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_23-05-part_2_of_4.pdf

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