</s>4598 (BEV. 11-26073) 44-88861-A STERS 11/27/75- MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS F 44-88891-A (MATERIALL MUST NOT be REMOVEO FROM OR ADDED TO THI F ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICAL DECLASSIFICATION FEDERAL BUREAU SECTION 4 ALL INFORMATION GONTAINED HEREIN NOBLACLABLE IN of SECTION4 DATE/PA SECTION OF 31-01-CURFIST NOV. 27 1375 -- SECTION.4 ATTENTION INVESTIGATION BEFORE CHANGING CLASSIFICATION OR PROCESSING ANY DOCUMENT FROM THIS FILE FOR RELEASE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, CONTACT FOI/PA SECTION UNIT D, EXT. 56767. FBI/DOJ USE CARE IN HANDLING THIS FILE CO NOT DESTROY TRICAL VALUE NATIONAL ARCHES Transfer-Call 3421 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray and alleged conspiracies. A 1973 conversation involving Russell G. Byers, a parts dealer, is referenced, where Byers allegedly discussed offering $10,000 or $20,000 to kill King. The FBI did not investigate this claim despite receiving it. A task force reviewing the case in 1976-79 concluded Ray acted alone, with no evidence of a conspiracy. Documents also mention a short, limping man associated with Byers and Kauffman, a stockholder, who may have been involved but died in 1970. The FBI’s handling of the case is criticized for not thoroughly examining allegations, including potential payments to Ray. Additional content includes unrelated administrative records, energy department contracts, and references to Playboy interviews with James Earl Ray. A second summary contains fragmented entries about Ray's legal proceedings, including a trial referenced to June 20-21, 1962, and mentions of jury deliberations. It also includes unrelated content about Soweto uprisings in South Africa, political figures like James T. Kruger, and labor strikes. The document references the Justice Department, FBI, and other agencies with unclear administrative details such as "S.&T. Serv." and "Dep. AD Inv." Redacted social security numbers (e.g., 88-76332) are noted, along with individuals like George W. Curtis and Ray's alleged connections to criminal activities.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (alleged assassin of MLK)  
- Russell G. Byers (parts dealer, informant)  
- Kauffman (stockholder, business associate of Ray)  
- George Landner Jr. (FBI records manager)  
- Harold (mentioned in context of FBI documentation)  
- Mark Lane (lawyer for Ray, involved in assassination inquiries)  
- George W. Curtis  
- Jimmy (possibly a nickname for Ray)  
- Jerry, Jack, Otto Kerner, James T. Kruger, Sam Dlamini, Andy Young, Jimmy Breslin, J.H. Hines Jr., J.K. Kneedy Jr.  

Key Locations:  
- St. Louis County (associated with Kauffman)  
- Imperial, Mo. (location tied to Kaufmann)  
- Washington, D.C. (FBI and DOJ offices)  
- Tennessee (Ray’s prison escape location)  
- Plano, Texas; Memphis, Tennessee; Soweto, South Africa; Johannesburg, South Africa; New York City; Jeff City (possibly a misspelling or fictional location)  

Key Events:  
- 1973 conversation involving Byers and potential payment to Ray for assassinating MLK  
- FBI investigation into the King assassination (1976-79) concluding no conspiracy  
- Task force review of FBI records, noting uninvestigated allegations  
- Ray’s arrest and subsequent legal proceedings (including 1980 slaying conviction)  
- Mention of a 1977 Playboy interview with James Earl Ray  
- Legal proceedings involving James Earl Ray's alleged involvement in the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., jury deliberations and charges related to escape and murder  
- Soweto uprising and labor strikes in South Africa  
- Political tensions between white and black communities  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)  
- House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA)  
- National Archives (document storage and release)  
- Price Waterhouse & Co., R. Schriver & Associates (energy policy consulting firms)  
- United Nations  
- South African government agencies  
- Labor unions  
- Unspecified security services (e.g., "S.&T. Serv.")

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_32a-04-part_1_of_2.pdf

Document Summary

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