</s>FD: 24R (REV. 4:19-60) H. S. Department of Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILED FEDERAL BUREAU of INVESTIGATION Bureau File Number 4f-38261 Bureau Fie Number 4F-38281 ALPOMPATION CONTAINED Volume Number: Sep 1A Vol. Sedible. Sedable. Sedale, U.S.A. United States. ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED See also Nos. FOR HISTORICAL DECLASSIFICATION 2 Lee Current Vol. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail an FBI investigation from the 1960s focused on identifying the assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was killed in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. Key figures include Eric Starvo Galt, a suspect linked to conspiracy theories about the assassination, and Marvin Raymond Deweese, whose physical description matched an artist’s sketch of the killer. The investigation involved cross-referencing witness accounts, physical descriptions, and forensic details like laundry tape codes used by textile manufacturers. Michael Garcia, a U.S. Army private, reported encountering a hitchhiker in Georgia with features resembling the suspect described in the sketch. The documents also reference James Earl Ray, initially accused of the crime, though no explicit connection to Galt is stated. Some records contain inconsistencies, such as a date reference to April 7, 1958, which may be an error. The case remains unsolved despite extensive efforts by law enforcement.  

Key People  
- **Eric Starvo Galt**: Suspect linked to MLK’s assassination; described as having a Southern accent, rural speech patterns, and aliases like Harvey Lowymer or John Willard.  
- **Marvin Raymond Deweese (NF 44-268)**: Physical description matched the artist’s sketch of the killer; had military ties and traveled between Florida, Virginia, and Georgia in late 1967–early 1968.  
- **Michael Garcia (44-769)**: U.S. Army private who reported encountering a hitchhiker with features matching the suspect’s sketch, including a full beard and knowledge of military equipment.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Initially accused of MLK’s assassination; referenced in reports but not explicitly tied to Galt or other suspects.  
- **Clyde Courtney**: Arrested in Jacksonville for vagrancy; described as resembling Galt’s physical profile and linked to a carpenter named C. H. Massy.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK’s assassination on April 4, 1968.  
- **Birmingham, New Orleans, California (e.g., Long Beach)**: Cities where Galt allegedly attended dance schools.  
- **Jacksonville, Florida**: Where Deweese stayed and was registered at a Lanier Road address.  
- **Norfolk, Virginia**: Home to the Hunter YMCA, where Deweese was identified as resembling the assassin’s sketch.  
- **Georgia (Columbus)**: Location of Garcia’s encounter with the hitchhiker described in the artist’s sketch.  

Key Events  
- **Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.**: Occurred on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.  
- **Artist’s Sketch of the Killer**: Created by law enforcement to identify suspects; featured a full beard, scars/tattoos, and military-style clothing.  
- **Witness Account by Michael Garcia**: Reported encountering a hitchhiker in Georgia with features matching the sketch, including knowledge of anti-tank weapons.  
- **Laundry Tape Code Investigation**: FBI used textile marking codes from 1960s textile manufacturers to track suspects or communicate covertly.  
- **Cross-Referencing Suspects**: Law enforcement compared physical descriptions, aliases, and movements of Galt, Deweese, and others to identify potential links to the assassination.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted surveillance, analyzed laundry tape codes, and compiled witness accounts as part of the investigation.  
- **National Maritime Union**: Mentioned in Deweese’s background as a member.  
- **U.S. Army**: Michael Garcia was stationed at Fort Manning, Georgia, during the investigation.  
- **Textile Manufacturers**: Used laundry tape codes with specific color and font formatting for store identification, potentially linked to suspect tracking.

MLK Declassified Files

44-jk-769_739798_01-02-part_1_of_4.pdf

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