</s>44-98981 SERIALS 5886-5931 44-88881 MATERIAL MUST NOT USE REMOVED EONOVED FOR ADDICTO TO THIS FEDERAL BUREAU ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICAL DECLASSIFICATION of SECTION 83 ATTENTION SECTION 88 BEFORE CHANGING CLASSIFICATION OR PROCESSING ANY DOCUMENT FROM THIS FILE FOR RELEASE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, CONTACT FO/PA SECTION UNIT D, EXT. 5767. F01/PA SECTION UNITD. EXT. 5767. COPTE FOIPA. ALL INFORMATION COSTANTED HEREIN UNUSACISED JUN 25 1977 BY 6D Transfer-Call 3421 2025 RELEASE UNDER L.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI and RCMP communications regarding the handling of evidence related to James Earl Ray’s trial for Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. In 1972, the FBI informed the RCMP that Ray had been convicted and was serving a 99-year sentence, prompting requests to return or dispose of exhibits held since 1968, including photographic materials, maps, film cartridges, and vinyl records. Correspondence between FBI officials (e.g., J. Clyde Mason, W.J. Halloran) and RCMP officers outlines efforts to determine the status of these items. Separate RCMP Exhibit Report C246 references Order 11526 materials, receipts, letters, and labels stored in Montreal’s GI Section strong box pending further investigation. FBI records from February–March 1973 note Ray’s legal status and Tennessee District Attorney General J. Clyde Mason’s retention of evidence for potential trials. Charles Stephens’ testimony describes a suspect matching Ray’s physical description (5'10-11", 165 lbs, sandy hair, dark suit) seen near the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis on April 4, 1968, following MLK’s assassination. An FBI FD-302 report from April 7, 1968, corroborates Stephens’ account, detailing his observations of a man running through a rooming house hallway with a wrapped package after hearing a gunshot around 5:00–6:00 PM. The suspect was described as clean-shaven and wearing a dark suit, with prolonged activity noted in room 5-B, including repeated bathroom visits and interactions with Mr. Nicholas (PHO).  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (convicted for MLK’s assassination)  
- J. Clyde Mason (Tennessee District Attorney General)  
- W.J. Halloran (RCMP Inspector)  
- R.F. Furlr (RCMP Assistant Officer in Charge)  
- Charles Stephens (witness, disabled veteran)  
- Mr. Nicholas (PHO, rooming house tenant)  
- Mrs. Brewer (rooming house tenant)  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee (Lorraine Hotel, 422 South Main Street rooming house)  
- Montreal, Canada (RCMP GI Section strong box)  
- Ottawa, Canada (RCMP headquarters)  
- Room 5-B and 6-B (rooming house rooms)  
- Common bathroom area  

Key Events  
- MLK’s assassination on April 4, 1968.  
- Conviction of James Earl Ray for MLK’s assassination in 1968.  
- Retention of evidence by RCMP and FBI for potential trials of Ray.  
- Charles Stephens’ testimony about a suspect seen near the Lorraine Hotel.  
- FBI FD-302 report detailing Stephens’ observations of a man running with a wrapped package after hearing a gunshot.  
- Prolonged activity in room 5-B, including repeated bathroom visits and interactions with Mr. Nicholas (PHO).  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)  
- Tennessee State authorities  
- Memphis Police Department (Homicide Bureau)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_27-01-part_1_of_4.pdf

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