</s>SL: 44-775 CBBMjb The following investigation was conducted by SA CLETIS B. BIDEWELL on May 29, 1968: B. BARREWELL ARTHUR FORIOW, Missouri State Probation and Parole Officer, 1500 South Big Bend, advised that RUSSELL P. BRANNEN, FBI 279 653 6, Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) #668616/1 is presently on parole, unmissouri state penitentiary that RUSSEL P. BANNEN is presently in parole, BRANNEN supervision by 5 that office. He advised that on April 1, 1962, and that his parole supervision is scheduled to terminate on September 10, 1968, According to FORLOW, BRANNENN presently resides at 1633 Dolman, St. Louis, and is employed at the Modern Jacket Company. 79 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s activities following his escape from Missouri State Penitentiary in April 1967, focusing on his post-release movements and potential associations. Interviews with parolees like Russell P. Brannen (parolee interviewed in May 1968) and former inmates such as Donald Garfield Cox revealed no direct contact with Ray or his associates. The FBI also investigated sightings of Ray on Mississippi Avenue in St. Louis, though no evidence confirmed activity at the 1800 block. Opal Highly and Marie McMurty, patrons of Opal’s Bar, were questioned about Ray’s appearance but failed to recognize him despite viewing photographs. Parole supervision checks, fingerprint identifications for unidentified deaths, and outreach to charitable organizations like the Salvation Army were conducted to track Ray’s whereabouts.  

In another record, FBI and local law enforcement explored Ray’s incarceration at Missouri State Penitentiary, including his role as a bread cutter in the bakery and interactions with inmates such as Richard Reno and Milton Zavolovolski. His release in 1967 and residence in St. Louis were noted, alongside efforts to trace associates like David Don McFarlin and Nathan J. Murphy, though no direct links to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. were established.  

A separate document includes FBI interviews with James Dailey and Jerry Raynes (possibly linked to James Earl Ray) regarding a subject connected to the MLK assassination investigation. Dailey claimed to have harbored Thomas Crews, an escaped prisoner, in Missouri during 1967, while Raynes provided details about his family’s interactions with the subject, including his son Jerry’s alleged contact during a 1967 visit. Both were advised of federal harboring statutes and promised to notify authorities if they learned more about the subject’s whereabouts.  

A real estate transaction involving Archie L. Robinson and Jerny Raynes (possibly linked to Jerry Raynes or James Earl Ray) is documented, with property at 1818 Park Avenue in St. Louis sold on March 28, 1967, for $100 and other goods. Cash payments totaling $2,500 were reported, though details remain incomplete.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (subject of investigation; escaped from Missouri State Penitentiary in 1967)  
- Russell P. Brannen (parolee interviewed in May 1968)  
- Donald Garfield Cox (former inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary, claimed to have photographed Ray)  
- Opal Highly (bar owner and witness interviewed about Ray’s appearance)  
- Marie McMurty (waitress at Opal’s Bar, questioned about Ray)  
- Walter E. Nolan (inmate who interacted with Ray in prison)  
- Richard Reno (inmate who claimed to know Ray)  
- Milton Zavolovolski (inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary)  
- David Don McFarlin (individual tracked for potential connections)  
- Nathan J. Murphy (former inmate investigated for associations)  
- James Dailey (interviewed June 7, 1968; harbored Thomas Crews)  
- Jerry Raynes (interviewed May–June 1968; provided details about the subject’s interactions)  
- Thomas Crews (escaped prisoner allegedly harbored by Dailey)  
- Archie L. Robinson (purchaser of property at 1818 Park Avenue)  
- Delia Robinson (wife of Archie L. Robinson, informant)  

Key Locations  
- Missouri State Penitentiary (Jefferson City, Missouri; Ray’s incarceration and escape)  
- St. Louis, Missouri (sites of interviews, Mississippi Avenue, Opal’s Bar, 1818 Park Avenue)  
- Jefferson City, Missouri (Brannen’s parole status and prison transfers)  
- Portageville, Missouri (Dailey’s interview location)  
- Ralls County, Missouri (farm purchase by Raynes)  
- Center, Missouri (Raynes’ residence)  
- Recorder of Deeds Office, St. Louis, Missouri  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into Ray’s movements post-escape (April 1967–May 1968)  
- Interviews with parolees, bar patrons, and former inmates to identify Ray or associates  
- Verification of address discrepancies (e.g., non-existent 1800 block on Mississippi Avenue)  
- Parole supervision checks for Brannen and other subjects  
- Outreach to charitable organizations for information on Ray’s lodging  
- Ray’s incarceration and release from Missouri State Penitentiary in 1967  
- Investigations into Ray’s post-release movements and potential associates  
- Dailey’s 1967 harboring of Thomas Crews from Missouri State Penitentiary  
- Subject’s alleged escape from prison and subsequent evasion of authorities  
- Raynes’ family interactions with the subject, including his son Jerry’s 1967 visit  
- FBI inquiries into the subject’s whereabouts and potential connections to the MLK assassination investigation  
- Property sale between Jerny Raynes and Archie L. Robinson on March 28, 1967  
- Cash transaction involving $2,000 and subsequent $500 payment totaling $2,500  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Missouri State Penitentiary  
- St. Louis, Missouri Police Department  
- Salvation Army and other charitable missions (contacted for prisoner lodging info)  
- Recorder of Deeds Office, St. Louis, Missouri  
- Ralls County, Missouri (real estate transactions)

MLK Declassified Files

44-kc-760_404058_172-05-part_4_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

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