</s>BAC, JACKSONVILLE (44-769) 4/23/68 ASAC JAMES J. O'CONNOR MURKIN AL ROGIN called at 10:14 a.m. 4/23(68, and raised an inquiry concerning the Tallahassee UPI diapatch which appeared in the Florida Tallahassa Police Department this morning which appeared to be the "Florida Tallahasse UPI Diapatch BOOM stated he had had called to BAC THOMPSON who stated GALT. and received several calls concerning the MIG MIG GALT." I explained to Mr. ROGN that we had checked with the Tillamooka AA and BAC Tromson who stated that the story is based on the telephone call concerning the matter. of the carlisle A.A.A and B.B.I. that last night had upes sought of the airlie A.B and B-B.A, which had had had been caught in the night. in connection with captivated case. MOGN incurred to to when I am not to have the UPI representative prompt and which I was not to know who the USI representative promptly and contact him to not let the footage straight and to inquire why he did not as the BAY story imnach all press services did us as being JAMES BAY. He flew into the U.S. I have suggested that he of GALT as being James BAY, the Ilevine suggested that the reporter name was furnished the Bureau and that we consider of a new service getting the two stories out of proper of a way. He also suggested that we contact all the TIP and perpetitive, He also agreed that we contacted all the tip and perpetive, He is also engaged that we have the story when all the tIP and preventive, he also wanted the story was one. press services and supporters had the more current one. concerning this matter. No desired a call back but nothing in writing 44-789-19-92 JOC(m)n SEARCHED HOOKED SERIMILED SERIMI/JACKSONVILLE JOC-JACKONVILLE 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI investigations into the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was shot and killed on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The fatal bullet was fired from a rooming house bathroom window overlooking the motel. An individual named John Wardard rented Room 5-8 at the rooming house on April 4, 1968, and fled with a package containing items linked to the rifle found abandoned near 434 South Main Street. The rifle, a 30-06 Lexington model 760, was recovered in Memphis and traced to a purchase by Eric Starvo Galt and another individual on August 30, 1940. Galt was charged with conspiracy under Section 241 of Title 18, U.S. Code, and a $50,000 bond was recommended. The FBI also investigated an anonymous caller in Louisville, Kentucky, who described a suspect resembling George or Don McBride, working for Mrs. Bill Morris in Panama City, Florida. Additional inquiries focused on verifying the identity of Galt and other suspects through law enforcement agencies in Memphis, Birmingham, and Jacksonville.  

Key People:  
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (assassinated)  
- Eric Starvo Galt (charged with conspiracy)  
- John Wardard (rented room at rooming house)  
- James Earl Ray (suspected assassin; referenced in FBI reports)  
- Mrs. Bill Morris (linked to McBride, Panama City, Florida)  
- Conrad Witalis (Electro Air Corp. VP, provided information on Joe S. Ragan)  

Key Locations:  
- Lorraine Motel, Memphis, Tennessee (scene of assassination)  
- Rooming house at 422 South Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee  
- 434 South Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee (abandoned rifle found)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (Galt’s alleged purchase of rifle and binoculars)  
- Jacksonville, Florida (FBI office involved in investigation)  
- Louisville, Kentucky (anonymous caller provided suspect details)  
- Panama City, Florida (linked to McBride and Mrs. Bill Morris)  

Key Events:  
- April 4, 1968: Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Lorraine Motel.  
- April 19–23, 1968: FBI investigation into the assassination, including recovery of rifle and tracing suspects.  
- August 30, 1940: Eric Starvo Galt and another individual allegedly purchased the rifle.  
- April 17, 1968: Federal complaint filed against Galt for conspiracy to violate Section 241, Title 18, U.S. Code.  
- April 23, 1968: FBI inquiries into anonymous caller’s description of suspect in Louisville, Kentucky.  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- United States Department of Justice (involved in legal proceedings against Galt)  
- Electro Air Corp. (provided information on Joe S. Ragan)  
- Local law enforcement agencies in Memphis, Birmingham, and Jacksonville, Florida.

MLK Declassified Files

44-jk-769_739798_01-03-part_3_of_3.pdf

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