</s>M.P.Edgar Hoover M.D.Hoover. G.M. D.C.Hoorch. C.P .- C.Cher. C.Calhoun. P.C .- P.F. H.Tavol. H.R. Tritton. Mr. T. Trotter. Miss Holmes. Miss Candy. Abner I. Weisman, M. D. 11 East 74th Street New York 21, N. Y. 3-11-69 Mr. J. Edgar Hoover Federal Bureau of Investigation Washington, D.C .. Re: James Earl Ray Dear Mr. Hoover -- I am one of the millions of Americans who is not satisfied by the method of trial of the James Earl Ray case. I feel I feel important facts in this man's motivations must be made public or the roots of democracy will erode. We want more information on this matter and we are not satisfied with the white-wash in Tennessee. This is a federal matter! I await your action. Sincerely Abe L. Weisman, M, D ., COPY:nm 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s trial for the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., including discussions about the handling of trial models used during his 1968–1969 trial in Memphis, Tennessee. FBI Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Jensen documented interactions with Ray at the Tennessee State Penitentiary, noting Ray’s refusal to cooperate and media attention surrounding his case. RCMP records from Canada reference two armed robberies linked to Ray in Montreal between 1967 and 1968, involving witnesses Louise Weinier and Luden Blouin. A letter from Dr. Abner I. Weisman criticized the trial’s transparency, calling it a “white-wash” and asserting its federal nature. Administrative notes include unrelated content such as a Playboy subscription offer and redacted social security numbers. Separate FBI files discuss Ray’s transfer to Nashville, Tennessee, in March 1969, with statements from Tennessee Highway Patrol officers and FBI agents. Investigations also explored anonymous accusations against Raymond Polacco for involvement in MLK’s assassination, including claims of payments and communications with Joe Griffin, who allegedly babysat Polacco’s daughter. The FBI reviewed Rev. James Bevel’s conspiracy allegations about MLK’s death but found no evidence to support them. William Bradford Huie’s manuscript on the case was monitored by the FBI for potential publication. Another directive from March 1969 instructed SAC Jackson to investigate Harry Pope’s claims of a conversation with an unnamed dentist in Columbia, Mississippi, regarding MLK’s assassination. Pope alleged Dr. King would be killed within a week, though details remain unclear. The documents also reference administrative notes on document release under Executive Order 14176 and case number 44-38861-5663.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (convicted of MLK’s assassination)  
- J. Edgar Hoover (FBI Director)  
- SAC Jensen (FBI Special Agent in Charge)  
- Richard N. Dawson (FBI agent involved in Ray’s custody)  
- Dr. Abner I. Weisman (criticized trial transparency)  
- Louise Weinier (witness to Montreal robberies linked to Ray)  
- Luden Blouin (store manager at Montreal robbery site)  
- Raymond Polacco (accused of involvement in MLK’s assassination)  
- Joe Griffin (alleged babysitter for Polacco’s daughter)  
- Rev. James Bevel (SCLC official alleging conspiracy)  
- William Bradford Huie (author of manuscript on MLK assassination)  
- Harry Pope (claimed knowledge of MLK’s assassination plan)  
- A.J. Schial, Billy Sull, HSCA (House Select Committee on Assassinations)  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee (Ray’s trial and custody transfer)  
- Nashville, Tennessee (Tennessee State Penitentiary)  
- Montreal, Quebec (armed robberies linked to Ray)  
- Columbia, Mississippi (Pope’s alleged conversation with dentist)  
- Jackson, Mississippi (FBI directive reference)  
- Ottawa, Ontario (Canadian Embassy reference)  

Key Events  
- Trial of James Earl Ray for MLK’s assassination (1968–1969)  
- FBI discussions on disposition of trial models used in the case  
- SAC Jensen’s interviews with Ray at Tennessee State Penitentiary (March 1969)  
- RCMP investigation into two armed robberies in Montreal (1967–1968) linked to Ray  
- FBI review of anonymous accusations against Raymond Polacco for MLK’s assassination  
- Interviews with Joe Griffin and Attorney Dee Miller regarding alleged payments and compromising photographs  
- Monitoring of William Bradford Huie’s manuscript on the case  
- FBI directive to investigate Harry Pope’s claims about a conversation with an unnamed dentist in Columbia, Mississippi  
- Review of Rev. James Bevel’s conspiracy allegations involving MLK’s assassination  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)  
- United States Department of Justice (Civil Rights Division)  
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)  
- House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA)  
- Tennessee Highway Patrol  
- Memphis Police Department  
- New York publisher (considered for Huie’s manuscript)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_25-01-part_3_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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