</s>CONFIDENTIAL JAMES FARL RAY MARTH LUTHER KING - VICTIM On January 22, 1969, Special Agent Edward M. Cole telephonically attempted to contact Reverend Bevel at approximately 2:30 pm. The person answering stated Reverend Bevel would not return until 5:00 pm. On January 21, 1969. A source who has finished reliable information in the past, advised him with others spoke with information in this past, the group, including the innocence of James Earl Ray. This group,including the informant, are considered "mililitants" by Revel. During informal, the general feeling of the militants' by Revel, is that Ray was guilty of shooting Reverend King and the Revel should furnish the evidence he has or keep quiet. he feels told this man he has no evidence but that he feels this system is killing him a man without nothing while this man actually killed a killer. He has no worth nothing that if he is allowed to defend Ray he, Bevel, will bring out every- thing that the "system" to defend Roy He, Bevell, will Bring out King. thing that he did to cause the death of King. Southern Christian Leadership Conference Conference (SCLC) in Philadelphia, as SCLC has fallen off to almost nothing in Philadelphia. as connected Union from SCLc, Atlanta, for $500. A check by Western Union from SCLC. Atlanta, is for $5000. This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the Fbi and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. CONFINTIAL 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents detail an interview with Reverend James Bevel regarding his claims that James Earl Ray was not responsible for the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Bevel stated he possessed evidence proving Ray’s innocence but refused to disclose it without legal representation. He also mentioned receiving threats from individuals who believed Ray was guilty, though no formal charges were filed against him. The FBI investigated a telegram warning of threats against Bevel, concluding that the threats were made via telephone rather than through mail or telegraph. Federal prosecutors declined to pursue charges due to lack of federal law violations. The case involved ongoing legal proceedings in Memphis, Tennessee, with a trial scheduled for March 1969.  

Key People  
- **Reverend James Bevel**: SCLC leader who claimed Ray was innocent and offered legal defense without payment.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Accused of killing MLK; Bevel alleged he was not guilty.  
- **Cedric Moore**: Sent a telegram to the FBI warning of threats against Bevel.  
- **Robert K. Dyer**: Executive Assistant to the State Attorney General in Memphis, involved in the state’s case against Ray.  
- **Jay Silva**: Newsman who interviewed Bevel about his claims.  

Key Locations  
- **Philadelphia, Pennsylvania**: Where Bevel resided and was interviewed by FBI agents.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of the trial against James Earl Ray.  
- **Lorraine Motel, Memphis, Tennessee**: Where MLK was assassinated on April 4, 1968; Bevel claimed to have been present beneath the balcony at the time.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel.  
- **January 1969**: FBI investigation into threats against Bevel following a telegram from Cedric Moore.  
- **March 1969**: Scheduled trial in Memphis for James Earl Ray on charges related to MLK’s murder.  
- **Legal proceedings**: Federal prosecutors declined to charge anyone due to lack of federal law violations, while the state of Tennessee pursued its case.  

Key Organizations  
- **Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)**: Bevel was a prominent member; he claimed financial support from SCLC via Western Union.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into threats against Bevel and Ray’s legal status.  
- **State of Tennessee**: Prosecuted James Earl Ray in the murder case.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_23-05-part_4_of_4.pdf

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