</s>Memorandum to Mr. IeLoch RE: MURKIN engaged in conversation with another patron and mentioned his military specialty. Two days later he met the same man again in the bar and this was said that since Smith had been in the Air Force and he should have contacts for obtaining munitions and explosives. He then requested Smith to get 50 rounds of grenades and laid out in cash in the table saying, Smith to go for 50 rounds and laid up in cash on the table sayings, that he had had for others in an augustus had vowed one of these would kill Martin Luther King, Jr ., in one way that another one of them would wanted the hand grenades. Smith asked the man if he was a member provide hand grenades and was told, "I'm one of another for them for you provide his hand grenades, "Sath said he was asked if you can't get them for me, you and better forget it." Smith had no further contact with this man and does not know its identity, and he described him as forty-five years of age, 5'7" tall, then poudre, gray, or driving a new Corvette automobile. After being interviewed Smith alleged that he had been fired from his job because he had started that he was fired general job because it was a veteran who was involved in a store that contacted him and said he and not fired Smith but told him to fall to house because he was drinking on the job. He also said that Smith had to go to happen as a scheduled meeting of employees at 6:30 a.m. to 4/11/66 and had died later mined that considers said that he is successful, unreliable, probably a heavy driver. and I've ever been considering firing Smith. Records of the pentenitary at leeworth show that Ray was approved to honor farm in 1957 but was never assigned as he did not feel the honor farm was far away as assigned it was integrated. John Laurie Fay, subject's brother, has been located in St. Louis where he operates a bar, John claixa has been seen the subject St. Louise where he operated a bar. John claissa has seen the sublet st. Louis twice in twenty years, the last John being being three years ago at Missouri State Penitentiary, John Fay expresses his fear that Ray was a badger. He was a "wonderful state penitentiary. John Fay expressed that Ray there would be no interest in Ray I King and white, while John Fay said the subject would have no reason to contact him and would not be able to locate him anyway. -2- CONTINUED-C VEH 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) in April 1968, focusing on James Earl Ray as a suspect and exploring potential conspiracies involving individuals like Adam Clayton Powell, Smith, and others. The FBI analyzed physical evidence, including latent fingerprints, fibers, hair, and items such as a Remington rifle, telephone components, newspaper clippings, and a keyhole saw, linking them to the Memphis crime scene. Laboratory reports examined handwriting samples, payment coupons tied to the Locksmithing Institute, and specimens from Safemasters Company, Inc., while tracking suspects like "Fay" (possibly Ray) and associates involved in smuggling, drug activities, and organized crime ties. The investigation spanned multiple FBI divisions, including Memphis, Atlanta, Birmingham, and the General Investigative Division, with administrative procedures for evidence retention and reporting. References include a San Francisco radio caller alleging plot discussions, Powell’s alleged financial incentives, and Smith’s conversation about obtaining grenades for an unknown party connected to MLK’s assassination.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (suspect in MLK’s assassination, identified as Eric Starvo Galt via fingerprint analysis)  
- Adam Clayton Powell (alleged financier of MLK’s assassination plot)  
- Smith (individual who discussed obtaining grenades for an unknown party connected to the case)  
- Eric S. Galt (linked to handwriting samples and payment coupons)  
- John Laurie Fay (Ray’s brother, mentioned as a potential witness)  
- Raymond Louis Curtis (inmate with ties to Ray, source of information)  
- James David Bailey (allegedly harbored Fay temporarily)  
- Antonio Corallo (possibly an alias referenced in documents)  
- John Edgar Hoover (FBI Director, referenced in administrative notes)  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee (central to FBI investigation and crime scene analysis)  
- Atlanta, Georgia (evidence analysis and fingerprint comparison)  
- San Francisco, California (radio station recording of alleged plot discussion)  
- Los Angeles, California (meeting referenced in radio show)  
- Little Falls, New Jersey (Locksmithing Institute associated with specimen sources)  
- St. Louis, Missouri (linked to a café operated by "Alley")  
- Portageville, Missouri (alleged location of Fay’s potential farm)  
- Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico (mentioned in connection with Fay’s alleged activities)  

Key Events  
- Fingerprint comparison confirming James Earl Ray’s association with evidence from the assassination scene  
- Analysis of fibers, hair, and physical items recovered from crime scenes in Memphis and Atlanta  
- Forensic examination of magnetic tapes and handwriting comparisons (April 1968)  
- Investigation into MLK’s murder, including tracking suspects like "Fay" and his associates  
- Specimen submissions from individuals connected to Safemasters Company, Inc. and correspondence courses  
- Interviews with inmates and informants regarding Fay’s alleged activities, including smuggling, drug dealings, and potential ties to organized crime  
- Radio station recording of a caller discussing plans to kill MLK and associated meetings  
- FBI analysis of handwriting, fingerprints, coat hangers, keys, and payment coupons linked to Ray and other suspects  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Memphis Police Department  
- Atlanta Police Department  
- Safemasters Company, Inc. (linked to specimen submissions)  
- Locksmithing Institute (Little Falls, New Jersey) (associated with correspondence course participants)  
- HANEY'S SHEET METAL (business card found in evidence)  
- John Birch Society (referenced in a booklet analyzed by the FBI)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_31-04-part_4_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

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