</s>April 25, 1968 Mr. Conrad W. D. Griffith MURKIN The General Investigative Division has forwarded to the Laboratory an anonymous hand printed letter which was addressed to the DIRECTOR J. B. WASHINGTON, D. IV U. S. A. The letter was written by James Earl Ray will be found at a place about 14 miles south of Millen, Georgia, along 121. A palm print also appears at the bottom of this letter. The letter and envelope were searched through the Anonymous Letter File but could not be identified with any prior submissions to this file. It was further determined that the hand printing appearing on this letter and envelopes was not prepared by the individual letter and the preparation of hand printing appearing as specimens in the "MURKEN" case attributed to Eric S. Gait. No identifying features were noted on these items which might indicate their immediate source. The anonymous letter and enclave have been forwarded to the latent Fingerprint Section for further examination. Iecommendation: None. For information. 1 - Mr. Mohr 1 -Mr. Deolach 1 - Mrs. Rosen (Mr. Long 2230) 1 -Mrs. Griffith 1 - Ms. Mortimer 1 - Lab File JIM:AW (8) 1-M.A/1/2/10M 31 1-1-2/1-3/1 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI investigative activities and forensic analyses related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on evidence handling, suspect identification, and inter-agency coordination. An anonymous letter attributed to James Earl Ray was found near Millen, Georgia, and submitted for fingerprint analysis, though handwriting did not match Eric S. Galt’s specimens from the MURKIN case. Evidence, including a suspected rifle and fatal bullet, was returned to the Memphis Police Department after FBI laboratory examination. The investigation involved comparisons of fingerprints, laundry marks, and other physical evidence, with Eric Starvo Galt identified by James Ray, altering the case direction. Daniel David Kennedy, linked to Ray via passport records and alleged connections, was investigated for his movements. Other individuals, including Louisa (a TV personality), Stein, Marie (Stein’s cousin), and Raymond Louis Curtis, were mentioned in context of potential associations. The FBI coordinated with Memphis offices, the U.S. Passport Office, and other agencies to track suspects and evidence. Forensic reports from April 1968 include handwriting comparisons between "Harvey Lowveyor" signatures and Jerry William Ray, inconclusive due to limited samples. Laundry tape specimens (K172-K177) from Thermo-Seal machines were analyzed but could not be definitively linked to specific equipment. A bedspread recovered in Memphis was forwarded for manufacturer analysis. Physical evidence such as beer cans, paper bags, and a brown thread connected to a "hippie" room were examined. The investigation involved multiple FBI field offices (Memphis, San Francisco, Atlanta, Honolulu) and case numbers like 44-38681, D-561274, K176-K194. A Missouri State Penitentiary form (K171) with handwriting attributed to James Earl Ray was referenced, though other signatures remained inconclusive. *Life* magazine photographs initially misattributed to Ray were corrected to identify John Patrick Tourke. Larl Smith, a former U.S. police officer, was interviewed but could not recall details about alleged plots against King.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin; linked to K171 via handwriting analysis.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt**: Initially identified as Eric S. Galt; confirmed by James Ray.  
- **Daniel David Kennedy**: Investigated for passport ties and alleged connections to Ray.  
- **Louisa**: TV personality mentioned in context of potential informant status.  
- **Stein**: Associated with Ray’s movements; Marie (his cousin) involved in investigations.  
- **Raymond Louis Curtis**: Convicted murderer interviewed as a witness.  
- **Jerry V. William Fay**: Brother of suspect, linked to Alton, Illinois.  
- **William E. Baker**: Alleged anti-Negro sentiments and prior criminal record.  
- **John Patrick Tourke**: Corrected identification in *Life* magazine photographs.  
- **Larl Smith**: Former U.S. police officer interviewed regarding alleged plots against MLK.  

Key Locations:  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Central to the assassination, FBI offices, evidence storage, and laundries (e.g., Lamar Laundry, Naval Exchange).  
- **Millen, Georgia**: Location of anonymous letter attributed to Ray.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Mentioned in Ray’s alleged movements.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Louisa’s connections and hotel registrations.  
- **Baltimore, Maryland**: Kennedy’s residence and passport details.  
- **San Francisco, California**: Source of laundry tape specimens.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Thermo-Seal machine evidence.  
- **Alton, Illinois**: Fay and Baker connections.  
- **Puerto Vallarta, Mexico**: Ray’s alleged activities.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Source of K171 form with Ray’s handwriting.  

Key Events:  
- Return of evidence to Memphis Police Department after FBI analysis.  
- Identification of Eric Starvo Galt by James Ray, shifting investigation focus.  
- Investigation into Daniel David Kennedy’s movements and passport records.  
- Forensic analysis of laundry tapes, handwriting samples, and physical evidence (e.g., beer cans, paper bags).  
- Coordination between FBI offices in Memphis, San Francisco, Atlanta, Honolulu, and Chicago.  
- Examination of K171 form with Ray’s handwriting; inconclusive comparisons for other signatures.  
- Correction of *Life* magazine photographs initially misattributed to Ray.  
- Interview with Larl Smith regarding potential plots against MLK, with limited recollection.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted forensic analyses, evidence handling, and inter-agency coordination.  
- **FBI Laboratory**: Performed handwriting, fingerprint, toolmark, and laundry tape analysis.  
- **U.S. Passport Office**: Tracked suspects’ passport records.  
- **Thermo-Seal machine manufacturers**: Analyzed laundry tape specimens.  
- **Mississippi State Institutions** (e.g., Ellivillisville State School, University of Mississippi): Locations of machines analyzed for laundry tape production.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Received evidence and coordinated with FBI.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_31-04-part_3_of_6.pdf

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