</s>U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE JAN 5 622 H.M. HIVESTIGATIVE HIVISTIGATIVE HIVISITIVITY RECEIVED RECEIVERING JAN JAN JAN 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into potential connections between individuals associated with Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1968 assassination and John Ray, a white male described as having a "deep penetrating personality." Daniel McMahon, a former room clerk at the Sheraton-McAlpin Hotel in New York (1964-1965), reported that Ray registered at the hotel during a visit by Ralph Abernethy Jr., his son Ralph Abernethy Sr., and Martin Luther King Sr. McMahon noted Ray's Southern origins and speculated about his possible ties to James Earl Ray, though no direct link was confirmed. McMahon later expressed concerns for his safety after encountering Ray, which were dismissed as unfounded by authorities. The FBI sought information on Ray's potential involvement in the assassination, including whether he had accessed or documented registration details. The document also references legal discussions about handling files related to James Earl Ray and his attorney Robert W. Hill, with the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) advised against accessing certain materials.  

The documents include FBI interactions with Ricky Wayne Hilton (inmate number K-3065), a convicted robber incarcerated at the State Correctional Institution, Huntington, Pennsylvania (SCII). Hilton claimed he was housed near James Earl Ray at Brushy Mountain Prison in Tennessee and described their relationship as "fairly close friends." He stated Ray never discussed the assassination but had interactions with others, including Jake Morelock and Doug Shelton, who were allegedly involved in an escape attempt from Brushy Mountain. Hilton also mentioned his drug use influenced his criminal behavior and that he sought to cooperate with authorities to avoid further incarceration. The FBI reviewed his letters and psychological evaluations, noting his history of institutional misconduct and potential for transfer to a more secure facility.  

On January 30, 1979, an anonymous woman caller provided information to FBI Special Agent U.D.O. Specht in Dallas, Texas, alleging that C.H. Wilson, a white pipe welder residing in Boyd, Texas, was involved in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The caller described Wilson as 51 years old and stated he had been in Memphis on April 4, 1968, the day of the assassination. She claimed Wilson and another man were present in Memphis, with Wilson later hiding a white Ford Mustang (with Mississippi license plates) for about a month after returning to Greenville, Mississippi. The caller noted Wilson was an alcoholic, drinking three-quarters of a bottle daily, and warned that he might commit murder if intoxicated. On January 31, 1979, the FBI confirmed C.H. Wilson resided in Boyd, Texas, but found no records linking him to the assassination investigation.  

The documents include communications between the FBI and RCMP regarding exhibits related to James Earl Ray’s involvement in MLK’s assassination. The RCMP requested updates on the disposition of evidence held by Canadian authorities, with references to a 1975 letter and subsequent inquiries into legal proceedings involving Ray. In February 1979, the Memphis District Attorney’s Office informed the FBI that exhibits related to the case were being reviewed for potential return or disposal.  

Patricia Hays Wismiller, contacted by FBI agents on April 1, 1979, claimed her uncle Reno Hays planned to confess to MLK’s assassination as part of a scheme to produce a movie based on the crime. She alleged Hays would receive advance payments from film profits and that Skip Faller (in California) and others were involved in orchestrating this plan. Wismiller also reported Hays had a history of violent behavior, including alleged involvement in the deaths of two former roommates deemed suicides.  

Key People  
- **Daniel McMahon**: Former room clerk at Sheraton-McAlpin Hotel in New York; reported interactions with John Ray and Ralph Abernethy family members.  
- **John Ray**: White male described as a Southern Southerner with a "deep penetrating personality," linked to potential ties to James Earl Ray.  
- **Ralph Abernethy Jr./Sr.**: Members of the Abernethy family, frequent guests at the Sheraton-McAlpin Hotel during their association with Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) activities.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin of MLK; referenced in discussions about potential connections to John Ray and legal file handling.  
- **Robert W. Hill**: Attorney for James Earl Ray, mentioned in context of legal confidentiality concerns.  
- **Ricky Wayne Hilton** (inmate K-3065): Convicted robber, incarcerated at SCII, claimed proximity to James Earl Ray and provided details about Ray's associates.  
- **Jake Morelock**: Allegedly associated with Ray; Hilton stated Morelock was released from prison and returned to Tennessee.  
- **Doug Shelton**: Inmate at Brushy Mountain Prison, described as a close friend of Ray.  
- **C.H. Wilson**: Alleged to be involved in MLK’s assassination; described as a white pipe welder residing in Boyd, Texas.  
- **Patricia Hays Wismiller**: Provided information about her uncle Reno Hays’ alleged involvement in the assassination plot.  
- **Reno Hays**: Alleged to have planned a confession and movie deal related to MLK’s murder.  
- **Skip Faller**: In California, involved in the proposed scheme with Hays.  

Key Locations  
- **Sheraton-McAlpin Hotel, New York**: Site of hotel registrations linked to MLK associates and John Ray.  
- **Belleville, NJ**: Home address of Daniel McMahon; location of local police records reviewed.  
- **Brushy Mountain Prison**, Tennessee: Site of Hilton’s alleged proximity to Ray.  
- **State Correctional Institution, Huntington, Pennsylvania (SCII)**: Where Hilton was incarcerated.  
- **Boyd, Texas**: Residency of C.H. Wilson.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK’s assassination; where Wilson and others were allegedly present on April 4, 1968.  
- **Greenville, Mississippi**: Wilson’s residence prior to the assassination.  
- **Ottawa, Canada**: RCMP involvement in handling exhibits related to the case.  

Key Events  
- **1964–1965**: Daniel McMahon worked as a room clerk at Sheraton-McAlpin Hotel, where MLK Sr., Ralph Abernethy family members, and John Ray registered.  
- **December 1978**: McMahon provided FBI with information about John Ray's potential ties to James Earl Ray and his possible documentation of registration details.  
- **Legal discussions (1978)**: FBI and Deputy Attorney General Robert L. Keuch debated whether to share files related to James Earl Ray with the HSCA, citing Sixth Amendment concerns.  
- **1977**: Hilton contacted FBI agents in Philadelphia, offering information about James Earl Ray.  
- **April 1977**: Curtis Carson, Records Officer at SCII, provided details on Hilton’s criminal history and detainer from Tennessee.  
- **March 23, 1977**: Hilton sent a letter to the FBI requesting assistance as an informant.  
- **1976–1977**: Hilton claimed he was housed near Ray at Brushy Mountain Prison and described their interactions.  
- **Psychological evaluation**: Highlighted Hilton’s drug use, institutional misconduct, and potential for transfer to a secure facility.  
- **January 30, 1979**: Anonymous caller provided details about C.H. Wilson’s alleged connection to MLK’s assassination.  
- **April 4, 1968**: Date of MLK’s assassination; Wilson allegedly present in Memphis.  
- **April 1, 1979**: FBI interviewed Patricia Hays Wismiller regarding Reno Hays’ alleged involvement in a murder-for-hire scheme.  
- **February 1979**: Memphis District Attorney’s Office informed the FBI about legal proceedings involving James Earl Ray and exhibit disposition.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into John Ray's potential involvement in MLK’s assassination, Hilton’s claims, and C.H. Wilson’s alleged connections.  
- **House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA)**: Considered for access to FBI files but advised against by legal counsel due to confidentiality concerns.  
- **Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)**: Organization associated with MLK and the Abernethy family's hotel visits.  
- **Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)**: Handled exhibits related to the case, with communication requests regarding their disposal.  
- **Memphis District Attorney’s Office**: Involved in legal proceedings and exhibit management for the MLK assassination investigation.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_31-02-part_4_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

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