</s>002409 AFFIDAVIT OF JAMES D. HAMBY Now comes the affiant, after first being duly sworn, and states as follows: That he is James D. Hamby, residing and domi- ciled at 2932 Armstead, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee- ciled as 2932 Armstrong, Memphis; that he is employed by the Memphis, Tennessee, Police Department, holding the rank of Lieutenant, and assigned to the Homicide Divi- sion of the aforesaid Police Department. That on April 4, 1968, he was so employed and was on duty and acting of the aforementioned Capacity that was assigned. and participated in the investigation resulting from the slaying of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr .; that as a part of his duties, pursuant to the investigation, he has present during the examination of the body of Dr .: Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4, 1966, at 2140 hours at Martin Luther Hospital Morgue in Memphis, shelby County. Tennessee. That the medical examination was conducted by Dr. J. T. J ., Fran- cisco, medical examiner for Shelby County. Tennessee. that as part of the examination Dr. Francisco removed from the body by Dr ., Martin Luther KING, Jr .., the one battered lead slug, and particularly marked with the autopsy number 252; that after the marking of the said slug was placed in a manila envelope and given into custody of the affidavit; that the affianant then proceeded to the Memphis, Tennessee, Police Department where the said Slug was given into cus- tody of Inspector N. E. Zachary; Inspector of Detectives of the Memphis; Tennessee, Tennessee; Police Department homicide Division. Affiant would further state that he has examined 0.2 2020 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail the medical and legal aspects of Martin Luther King Jr.'s death on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. A death certificate records his cause of death as a gunshot wound to the spinal column (C7-T2), resulting in complete spinal cord transection and fatal injuries. The autopsy report by Thomas C. Littlejohn Jr., Chief Medical Examiner of Tennessee, confirms a single bullet entered the neck and exited through the chest, causing damage to the vertebral artery, jugular vein, subclavian artery, and surrounding vertebrae. Traumatic asphyxia and intra-alveolar hemorrhage were noted. The hospital autopsy protocol from Memphis Hospitals corroborates the trajectory of the wound and describes no pre-existing conditions or intoxication contributing to his death. Administrative certifications by Tennessee’s Secretary of State affirm the authenticity of these documents. Additional records include sworn affidavits, such as James H. Laue’s testimony witnessing King’s assassination at the Lorraine Motel, and FBI investigative notes referencing Eric Galt’s 1966 registration card. Some documents contain typographical errors or unclear phrasing, possibly due to transcription artifacts.  

Key People  
- **Martin Luther King Jr.**: Decedent; assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.  
- **James H. Laue**: Affiant who witnessed King’s assassination at the Lorraine Motel and identified his body.  
- **Thomas C. Littlejohn Jr.**: Chief Medical Examiner of Tennessee; conducted the autopsy.  
- **Mary R. Baird**: State Registrar for Tennessee; certified the death certificate.  
- **Robert G. Jensen**: FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Memphis Division investigating King’s assassination.  
- **Eric Galt**: Individual referenced in a 1966 registration card noted by Jensen.  
- **Bailey Brown**: U.S. District Court judge involved in document certification.  
- **Warren E. Hearnes**: Governor of Missouri; certified records related to James Earl Ray.  

Key Locations  
- **Lorraine Motel, Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of King’s assassination; Laue’s room (308) and King’s room (306) are noted.  
- **400 block of South Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee**: Area referenced in photographs and surveys related to the motel and surrounding buildings.  
- **Jefferson City, Missouri**: Location of records certification by Missouri Secretary of State.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination at the Lorraine Motel; Laue witnessed the event and identified King’s body.  
- **April 11, 1968**: Autopsy conducted by Thomas C. Littlejohn Jr., confirming spinal cord injury as the cause of death.  
- **June 1968**: Affidavits and certifications related to the investigation were prepared and signed.  
- **April 3, 1966**: Eric Galt’s registration card at a Motor Hotel was referenced in FBI investigative records.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted the investigation into MLK’s assassination; Jensen was the Special Agent in Charge.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Involved in certifying documents and handling legal proceedings.  
- **Missouri Department of Corrections**: Managed records related to James Earl Ray, a suspect in the case.  
- **Tennessee Department of State**: Certified legal statutes and document authenticity.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_27-04-part_3_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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