</s>Mr. T.L.Lach. Mr. K. E. Lach. Mr. B. Bishop. Mr. Cisner Mr. G. Carter. Mr. Conrad. FBI WASH DC Mr. Calle. FBI DETROIT Mr. Galle. Mr. Roan Mr.' Roan Mr. Raoul. Mr. Travel Mr. Talver To: DIRECTOR AND MEMPHIS (44-1937) Toledo, Iowa Mr. H. Hines FROM: DETROIOT (44+989) Miss. Gully MURKON, 00: MEMPHISS ON THIS DATE, EARL DOWDY, DETROITE NEWS CITY DESK ADVISED THAT TODAY HE RECEIVED AN ANONYMOUS TELEPHONE CALL CALL FROM A FEMALE, WHO SAID THAT JAMES EARL RAY DID NOT MURDER DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, BUT THAT ONE CLIFFORD GREEVES, WHO BEARS A VERY STRONG RESEMBLANCE TO RAY IS THE PERSON WHO KILLED DR. KING. GREEVESS LIVES AT ONE ONE ONE ZERO FIVE SEVEN MARGATE HALL DRIVE, BRIDGESTON, MISSOURI, AND WORKS FOR PESPI COLA IN ST. LOUIS. DOWdy SAID THAT CALLER SOUNDED RATIONAL BUT "WOULD NOT DISCLOSE HER IDENTITY. DETROITS INDICIES NEGATIVE RE GREEVEST. ABOVE FURNISHED FOR INFORMATION. END. GMA 555518 F31 WASH DO REC-24 4 JANL XO 12.3.2.3 P Qriti Stations 1.3/1.1.2/1 ma 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI communications and interviews related to James Earl Ray’s involvement in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., conducted in early 1969. Reverend James Bevel, a key figure in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), was interviewed by FBI agents Ralph C. Hammer and Edward M. Cole in Philadelphia. Bevel claimed he had evidence of Ray’s innocence but refused to share it unless allowed to participate in Ray’s defense. The FBI sought information on Ray’s potential involvement, noting that Bevel had previously stated Ray was guilty of shooting King. Bevel also mentioned receiving a $500 check from SCLC for unspecified services. References include telegrams sent to Ray and discussions about the FBI’s investigative role versus prosecutorial duties.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (suspected assassin of MLK)  
- Reverend James Bevel (SCLC leader, interviewed by FBI)  
- Ralph C. Hammer (FBI Special Agent)  
- Edward M. Cole (FBI Special Agent)  

Key Locations:  
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (interview location)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (site of MLK’s assassination)  
- Loraine Motel (location of shooting incident)  

Key Events:  
- FBI interviews with James Bevel in January 1969  
- Discussions about Ray’s potential guilt or innocence in MLK’s assassination  
- Bevel’s refusal to share evidence unless allowed to assist in Ray’s defense  
- Mention of a $500 check from SCLC to Bevel  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_23-05-part_3_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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