</s>FBI 15 Date: 10/15/75 Transmit the following in (Type in plaintext or code) Vin AIRTEL (Precedence) TO : DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) FROM : SAC. CINCINNATI (157-1893) (P) SUBJECT: MURKIN Re CI airtel and LEM to Bureau 9/30/75. Re CI AIRtel for the Bureau are six copies of an LEM captioned for the BUREAU are six copies of an LHM captions of "JAMES EARL RAY". Enclosed for Memphis are two copies of the same LEM. Information furnished in enclosed LEM was obtained from records at the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, Cincinnati, Ohio, by SQ DWIGHT H. VOGEL. Cincinnati will maintain contact with the U ., Court of Appeals in this mail 2-Bureau (Enc. 6) AND/CLOSURE 2-Memphis (44 -1987) (Bnc. 2) 2-Cincinnati. (6) DVHV: mw X 103 REC-48 4/3886/6002 1-CRD 1-CRCD 6 OCT 20 1975 D70F 10/24/75 Eun/jet Approved: 5959 NOV 5.975 Special Agent in Charge Sent M Per 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI communications regarding James Earl Ray’s legal proceedings and investigations related to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. On October 15, 1975, Grace Keller, Chief Deputy Clerk of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, provided records for Docket Number 75-1795, including motions, briefs, and court orders related to Ray’s appeal. The FBI maintained contact with the court to monitor updates. Additional filings by Ray’s counsel were added on November 4, 1975. A December 1, 1975, correspondence addressed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by James H. Lesar, Esq., regarding records related to King’s assassination. The Department of Justice modified its initial denial, releasing some materials but withholding others due to discretionary release policies and legal restrictions. Scientific tests, including ballistics analysis, were included in the released documents, while photographs or sketches of suspects (primarily Ray) were provided. A 1975 inquiry into Clifford Andrews’ alleged involvement in a plot against King found no conclusive evidence.  

The document also contains correspondence between CBS News and the FBI regarding access to materials related to MLK’s assassination. On December 3, 1975, Ernest S. Leiser, Senior Producer for CBS News, acknowledged receipt of information provided by the FBI in response to a prior request, including a check for $16.50 as payment for access. The communication references FOIA Section 2025 releases under Executive Order 14176 and 14178. An FBI form (FD-36) dated December 2, 1975, details legal filings related to James Earl Ray, including motions and briefs filed on November 21–24, 1975. The FBI emphasizes that the document is property of the agency and not to be distributed outside the recipient organization.  

Key People  
- Grace Keller (Chief Deputy Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit)  
- Dwight Vogel (Special Agent, FBI Cincinnati)  
- Linda Ferguson (Special Agent, FBI Cincinnati)  
- James H. Lesar, Esq. (Attorney representing James Earl Ray)  
- Harold R. Tyler, Jr. (Deputy Attorney General)  
- Clifford Andrews (alleged participant in plot against King, later identified as R.L. Warren)  
- Harold Weisberg (client of Lesar, subject of FOIA request)  
- Ernest S. Leiser (Senior Producer, CBS News)  
- Clarence M. Kelley (Director, FBI)  
- Dwight H. Vogel (Special Counsel, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit)  

Key Locations  
- Cincinnati, Ohio (U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI office)  
- Toronto, Ontario (police inquiry related to Andrews)  
- Washington, D.C. (Federal Bureau of Investigation headquarters)  
- New York, NY (CBS News)  

Key Events  
- October 15, 1975: FBI received court records for Ray’s appeal (Docket 75-1795).  
- November 4, 1975: Additional filings added to Ray’s docket, including motions and briefs.  
- December 1, 1975: FOIA request by Lesar regarding King’s assassination records was partially fulfilled.  
- 1975 inquiry into Clifford Andrews’ alleged involvement in a plot against King; no conclusive evidence found.  
- December 3, 1975: CBS News sends payment for access to FBI materials related to MLK’s assassination.  
- November 21–24, 1975: Legal filings (motions, briefs, appendices) submitted in a case involving James Earl Ray.  
- December 2, 1975: FBI form documenting legal records obtained from the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- U.S. Department of Justice  
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit  
- Metropolitan Toronto Police Department  
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) office  
- CBS News

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_28-04-part_3_of_3.pdf

Document Summary

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