</s>-4- If the extradition is granted, the criminal proceedings will not be used for any private purpose. WHEREFORE, YOUR PETITION PRAYS: That an Application issue to the Secretary of the State of the United States of America for the international extradition of James Earl Ray, alias Eric Starvo Galt, alias John Willard, alias Harvey Loweyer, alias Harvey Lawyer, alias Ramon George Snyder, from the United Kingdom to the United STATES of America and to the State of Tennessee, to-wit: Shelby County, for trial on the indictment charging him with Murder, for pending against him in the Criminal Courts of Shelby County, Tennessee. PITTLE M. CANALLI, JR. DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT STATE OF TENNESSEE 2020 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document compiles legal, medical, and investigative records related to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. A extradition petition seeks the transfer of James Earl Ray (alias Eric Starvo Galt, John Willard, Harvey Loweyer, Harvey Lawyer, Ramon George Snyder) from the United Kingdom to Tennessee for trial on murder charges. Medical records detail Dr. J.T. Francisco’s autopsy of King’s body on April 1, 1968, identifying a gunshot wound to the thoracic cord as the cause of death, along with spinal fractures and internal injuries. The bullet removed from King’s left scapula was marked as autopsy number 252 and handed over to Memphis Police Lt. J.D. Hamby. A Certificate of Death (File No. 2066) confirms King’s death on April 4, 1968. Crime scene measurements by Frank C. Holloman, Director of Fire & Police for Memphis, were conducted to determine bullet trajectory using engineering tools. Additional evidence includes a bundle discovered near 424 South Main Street containing firearms-related items, such as a "Browning" box with a gun barrel, binoculars, maps, and newspapers. Items confiscated from the crime scene include a .50-06 Springfield cartridge box, a Remington "Game-Master" rifle (Model 760), and an empty .30.06 Springfield casing. A lead slug recovered from King’s body was transferred to the FBI Memphis Office for analysis. Affidavits from Memphis Police inspectors, engineers, and store owners corroborate findings, including binoculars sold by York Arms Company on April 4, 1968, and evidence transfer processes authenticated by Shelby County Criminal Court officials.  

Key People  
- **Phil M. Canale Jr.**: District Attorney General of Shelby County, Tennessee, petitioning for extradition of James Earl Ray.  
- **J.A. Blackwell**: Clerk of the Criminal Courts of Shelby County, Tennessee, certifying judicial documents.  
- **Perry H. Sellers**: Judge of the Criminal Court of Shelby County, Tennessee, endorsing extradition petitions.  
- **Dr. J.T. Francisco**: Medical Examiner for Shelby County, Tennessee, who conducted MLK’s autopsy and provided forensic findings.  
- **Lt. J.D. Hamby**: Memphis Police Department officer receiving bullet evidence from Dr. Francisco.  
- **Frank C. Holloman**: Director of Fire & Police for Memphis, overseeing crime scene measurements.  
- **Robert V. Winzler**: Surveyor with Memphis Public Works Department, conducting trajectory analysis.  
- **Arthur C. Holbrook**: Engineer with Memphis Public Works Department, assisting in survey work.  
- **Guy Warren Canine**: Store owner in Memphis who discovered a bundle near 424 South Main Street.  
- **Inspector N.E. Zachary**: Memphis Police Department inspector recovering evidence near the assassination site.  
- **R.L. Williams**: Captain of Homicide Division, Memphis Police Department, documenting evidence collection.  
- **Cordra York Sr.**: Owner of York Arms Company, selling binoculars on April 4, 1968.  

Key Locations  
- **Shelby County, Tennessee**: Jurisdiction for extradition petitions, affidavits, and legal documentation.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of the Lorraine Hotel (assassination location) and crime scene investigations.  
- **University of Tennessee Medical Center (John Gaston Hospital)**: Location of MLK’s autopsy.  
- **Lorraine Hotel**: The hotel in Memphis where MLK was shot on April 4, 1968.  
- **424 South Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee**: Location of a bundle discovery near the crime scene.  
- **York Arms Company (Memphis, Tennessee)**: Sporting goods store associated with binocular sales.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Memphis Office**: Site of evidence analysis and transfer from local authorities.  

Key Events  
- **Extradition Petition**: Request to transfer James Earl Ray from the UK to Tennessee for trial in connection with MLK’s murder.  
- **Autopsy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.**: Conducted by Dr. J.T. Francisco on April 1, 1968, revealing fatal gunshot wounds and spinal cord damage.  
- **Crime Scene Survey**: Engineering measurements taken at the Lorraine Hotel to determine bullet trajectory and positioning.  
- **Discovery of a Bundle**: Items including firearms-related objects (e.g., "Browning" box, binoculars, maps) found near 424 South Main Street by Guy Warren Canine on April 4, 1968.  
- **Confiscation of Evidence**: Firearms and ammunition recovered from the crime scene at 422 South Main Street, including a Remington "Game-Master" rifle and .30.06 casing.  
- **Transfer to FBI**: Items confiscated from the crime scene were sent to the FBI Memphis Office for analysis.  
- **Sale of Binoculars**: Businell Banner binoculars sold by York Arms Company on April 4, 1968, corroborated by police affidavits.  

Key Organizations  
- **Tennessee Department of Public Health**: Issued Certificate of Death for MLK.  
- **Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (Shelby County)**: Conducted and documented autopsy findings.  
- **Memphis Fire & Police Department**: Oversaw crime scene investigation and measurement efforts.  
- **Memphis Public Works Department (Engineering Division)**: Conducted trajectory analysis using survey tools.  
- **Shelby County Criminal Courts**: Authenticated affidavits and legal documentation for evidence collection.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Memphis Office**: Analyzed confiscated items from the crime scene.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_27-04-part_2_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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