</s>44-8891 SERILS C231-C319 44-8981 #4958 (NEV. 11-29-973) H. &. Beyartant of Justire (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FIL HOR-8881 ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICAL DECLASSIFICATION FEDERAL BUREAU SECTION 98 ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED DATE/DATE:10/10/20/20-SPL-C-L-L.A. INVESTIGATION X DO NOT DESTROY HISTORICAL VALUE ATTENTION NATIONAL ARCHIVES SERIALS C291-0519 SECTION 93 SELIALS.C291-6519 BEFORE CHANGING CLASSIFICATION OR PROCESSING ANY DOCUMENT FROM THIS FILE FOR RELEASE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, CONTACT FO/PA SECTION UNIT D, EXT. 5767. USE GARE IN MANULINU INO TILE FB/DO/D/O Transfer-Call 3421 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail Burgess Audie Wilson Jr.'s 1978 confession to shooting Martin Luther King Jr. during a conversation at the Angle Inn in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Wilson claimed he was framed by James Earl Ray, who orchestrated the assassination and used him as a scapegoat. He described firing from approximately 50 feet away using a rifle or pistol. Wilson attempted to surrender to Sheriff Gene Barksdale of Shelby County, Tennessee, but the sheriff was unavailable due to a police strike in Memphis. Witnesses, including Luke Joseph Broderick (Angle Inn manager) and Dorothy Ruth Woodside (bar tender), corroborated his claims. Wilson also mentioned his background as a pilot for Governor Cliff Finch of Mississippi and his history with the Flying Tigers during WWII. FBI agents monitored his activities, noting erratic behavior and past harassment allegations. The case remains unresolved due to conflicting accounts and lack of conclusive evidence.  

Key People:  
- **Burgess Audie Wilson Jr.** (also known as "Bill"): Central figure who confessed to shooting MLK, claimed to be framed by James Earl Ray.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Alleged mastermind behind the assassination; Wilson denied direct involvement but acknowledged being used as a scapegoat.  
- **Luke Joseph Broderick**: Manager of the Angle Inn where Wilson made his confession.  
- **Dorothy Ruth Woodside**: Bartender at the Angle Inn who corroborated Wilson’s claims about shooting MLK.  
- **Sheriff Gene Barksdale**: Tennessee official to whom Wilson attempted to surrender but could not reach due to a police strike.  

Key Locations:  
- **Ocean Springs, Mississippi**: Site of the Angle Inn where Wilson confessed to the murder.  
- **Gulfport, Mississippi**: Location of the Holiday Inn where Wilson tried to contact Sheriff Barksdale.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Reference point for the police strike that prevented Wilson’s surrender.  
- **Shelby County, Tennessee**: Jurisdiction of Sheriff Gene Barksdale.  

Key Events:  
- **August 16–18, 1978**: Key events occurred in Mississippi and Tennessee, including Wilson’s confession at the Angle Inn and his failed attempt to surrender to Barksdale.  
- **Assassination of MLK (April 4, 1968)**: Wilson claimed he shot MLK during a speech in Memphis, though this is separate from the 1978 confession.  
- **FBI Monitoring**: Agents tracked Wilson’s movements and interactions, noting his erratic behavior and past FBI harassment claims.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted surveillance on Wilson and monitored his activities post-confession.  
- **Flying Tigers**: WWII-era U.S. Air Force unit; Wilson claimed to have served with them.  
- **State Baptist Convention Headquarters, Jackson, Mississippi**: Mentioned in context of Wilson’s religious affiliations.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_31-01-part_1_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

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