</s>TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) FROM: SAC, MEMPHIS (444-1987) Two copies of letter dated 9/10/69, addressed to Warden of TSP, Nashville, which enclosed duplicate copy of property receipt of property from MAY AT time at arrest. Two copies are an order signed by Shelby County criminal Court Judge FAQUIN, allowing subject's criminal court talk with subject in an open conference room. RE: ME airtel to BUREAU, 9/12/69. 374 44-3 8861-5816 2005 RELEASE UNDEREO. 14176

Summary  
The document details the investigation into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray’s conviction and subsequent legal challenges. Ray was identified through fingerprint evidence linked to a rifle, binoculars, and a map of Mexico. He was arrested in London (June 8, 1969) under an alias, pleaded guilty to murder in March 1969, and received a 99-year sentence. His conviction was overturned in 1978 due to procedural errors, leading to his release in 2013. The FBI collaborated with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to track Ray internationally, though RCMP inquiries initially focused on fugitive status rather than evidence collection. Legal records include court orders allowing attorneys to consult Ray and property receipts detailing confiscated items. The text also references the Black Panther Party’s founding in 1966 and its advocacy for armed self-defense, alongside unclear terms like "MURKIN" (possibly a typo or code). The document contains grammatical errors, repeated phrases, and mixed languages, suggesting it may be corrupted, fictionalized, or misformatted.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray: Convicted of MLK’s assassination, arrested in London under alias Ramon George Sheyd.  
- Richard J. Ryan: Attorney involved in legal proceedings with Ray.  
- Black Panther Party (BPP): Mentioned as an organization active during the Civil Rights Movement.  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Coordinated international investigations with RCMP and U.S. state authorities.  
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP): Involved in tracking Ray’s movements but avoided releasing information affecting legal cases.  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee: Site of MLK’s assassination on April 4, 1968.  
- London, UK: Location of Ray’s arrest on June 8, 1969.  
- Shelby County, Tennessee: Court where Ray was tried and held in custody.  
- Mexico: Mentioned as a location linked to Ray’s movements during the investigation.  

Key Events  
- April 4, 1968: MLK assassinated in Memphis.  
- April 5, 1968: James Earl Ray identified via fingerprint evidence.  
- June 8, 1969: Ray arrested in London under an alias.  
- March 10, 1969: Ray pleaded guilty to murder and received a 99-year sentence.  
- April 24, 1978: Conviction overturned due to procedural errors.  
- 2013: Ray released from prison after serving 45 years.  
- 1966: Founding of the Black Panther Party.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted investigations, coordinated with RCMP, and reviewed civil rights cases.  
- U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division: Monitored legal proceedings balancing transparency and procedural integrity.  
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP): Assisted in tracking Ray but avoided releasing information impacting trials.  
- Black Panther Party (BPP): Mentioned as an organization advocating for armed self-defense against police brutality.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_26-01-part_2_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search