</s>FEDERAL DREAM OF AMNESTIGATION T. Delach. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE M. Delacch. M. Mohr. M. M. Cappar. COMMUNICATION SECTION Mr. Caspian Mr. Casper Mr. Cohen Fbi WASH DC FEB12 1969 Mr. Felt. Mr. Rosen TELETYPE Mr. Feli. Mr . Rosen Mr. Tavell FBI LOS ANG. McGobran Mr. Travel TOSPH DEFERRED 2/12/69 BCD Mr. Room Tel. Room TosPH REFERRED (44-38861), MEMPHIS (444-1487), NEW ORLEANS (157-1063) Mim Gandy TO DIRECTOR (44 -388611), MEMPHS (44+1487) - 2P MURKIN RE LA TEL FEBRUARY SEVEN LAST. MARIE MARTIN, LOCATED AND INTERVIEWED FEBRURY TWELVE INSTANT. STATED CHARLIE STEIN CONTINUES TO HAVE NO PERMANENT RESIDENCE, BUT OCCASIONALLY VISITS HER RESIDENCE. MARTINE STATED SHE WOULD HAVE STEIN CALL US ANGELES OFFICE ON NEXT CONTACT. MARTIN DESCRIBED STEIN AS "HAVING A RAPIDLY DETERIORATIO MENTAL STATE" AND STATED STEIN WAS DISCHARGED FROM MILITARY SERVICE FOR MENTAL REASONS. SHE STATED STAIN HAS MADE A GIRL PREGNANT AND HE IS THOROUGHLY, CONVINCIVINED UNBORN CHILD IS THE SECOND CHRIST. EX-KIS-1444-38861-5553 MARTin ADVISED STEin TELEPHONEED DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S REG. 1444-38611-5563 OFFICE IN MEMPHYS, REQUESTING PERMISSION TO TELEGRAPHY 4 FEB 14 1969 JAMES EARL RAY IN PRISON, WHICH PERMISION WAS GRANTED. END PAGE ONE 33 FEB191908 cc-long 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains fragmented FBI communications and legal filings from February 1969 regarding investigations into James Earl Ray’s alleged involvement in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). It details Ray’s trial proceedings in Shelby County, Tennessee, including motions filed by his attorneys to obtain depositions from SAC Frank Hitt and J.D. Garner (rooming house operator in Atlanta) and requests for a pretrial suppression hearing. Judge W. Preston Battle denied these motions, stating the court would not suppress evidence from the rooming house without a formal motion. The FBI advised Memphis authorities to review any suppression motion and provide copies to the Atlanta Office.  

The document references William Bradford Rule’s testimony before the Shelby County Grand Jury, which included claims that Ray had interactions with a doctor in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, involving marijuana. A Canadian Government employee, Claire Keating, was noted for her potential anti-Negro sentiments and willingness to testify about Ray’s attitudes. The FBI requested contact with this individual to verify statements about Ray’s racial animus.  

Additional content includes Rev. James Lawson’s claims about fire station assignments and police officer removals around the time of MLK’s murder, as well as Charles Stein’s account of a memo slip allegedly from Ray detailing plans for a trip to New Orleans and interactions with a bartender in Puerto Vallarta. Stein also mentioned his intention to write a book about the case and potential financial gain from it.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Accused of MLK’s assassination; subject of legal proceedings, alias-related motions, and FBI investigations.  
- **J.D. Garner**: Rooming house operator in Atlanta where Ray resided; subject of deposition requests.  
- **SAC Frank Hitt**: FBI agent in Atlanta involved in the case.  
- **William Bradford Rule**: Testified before Shelby County Grand Jury about Ray’s alleged drug activities and interactions with a doctor in Puerto Vallarta.  
- **Rev. James Lawson**: Methodist pastor in Memphis who provided statements about fire station assignments and police officer removals around MLK’s murder.  
- **Charles Stein**: Individual who claimed to have a memo from Ray, interacted with the Los Angeles Times reporter Larson, and intended to write a book about the case.  
- **Claire Keating**: Canadian Government employee allegedly interviewed by RCMP regarding Ray’s anti-Negro sentiments.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of state court proceedings, FBI offices, and Shelby County Grand Jury.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Rooming house where Ray resided; SAC Hitt’s location.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Mentioned in Stein’s account of a trip to the city.  
- **Puerto Vallarta, Mexico**: Alleged interactions between Ray and a bartender; drug-related activities.  
- **Canada**: Claire Keating’s employment with the Canadian Government.  

Key Events  
- Legal motions filed by James Earl Ray’s attorneys (P.C. Lomyer) in state court regarding depositions and suppression hearings (February 7–11, 1969).  
- FBI review of potential suppression motion related to evidence from J.D. Garner’s rooming house.  
- William Bradford Rule’s testimony about Ray’s alleged drug activities in Puerto Vallarta and interactions with a doctor.  
- Rev. James Lawson’s claims about fire station assignments and police officer removals around the time of MLK’s murder.  
- Charles Stein’s interview with the Los Angeles Times reporter Larson, discussing a memo slip from Ray and plans to write a book about the case.  
- FBI request for RCMP assistance in verifying Claire Keating’s statements about Ray’s anti-Negro sentiments.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted legal reviews, coordinated with foreign liaisons, and managed investigations into Ray’s activities.  
- **Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)**: Interviewed Claire Keating regarding Ray’s alleged anti-Negro remarks.  
- **Shelby County Grand Jury**: Reviewed William Bradford Rule’s testimony about Ray’s interactions.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Involved in legal proceedings and coordination with FBI.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_23-06-part_3_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search