</s>5/23/69 PLAINTEXT TELETYPE URGENT TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) FROM: MEMPHIS (44)-1987(3P) MURKIN. SUJECT JAMES EARL RAY HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE SHILEY COUNTY JAIL AT MEMPHIIS, TENN ,, TERN, FROM THE TENNESSEE STATE PRISON AT NASHVILLE, TENNI, FOR A HEARING ON MAY TWENTYSIX NEXT ON HIS MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL. JERRY RAY WAS DISCOVERED BY BUAGENTS TODAY VISITING THE SUBJECT AT THE SHIELEY COUNTY JAIL, AS JERRY RAY WAS LEAVING THE JAIL. HE WAS APPROACHED IN THE CORRIDOR BY BUUGENTS WHO REQUESTED THAT HE ACCOMPANY THEM TO SOME PLACE SUITABLE FOR INTERVIEWED, JERSEY AGREED TO GO WITH THE AGENTS INTO ONE OF THE INTERVIEWER'S DEPARTMENT OFFICES, AND AS JERSRY AND BUAGENTS WERE ENTERING THIS OFFICE, THEY WERE JOINED BY THE SUBJECT JAMES EARLY RAY'S ATTORNEY, J. B. STONE, STONER REFERRED TO JAMES EARY'S ATFEDERAL BUREAL BUREAU OF INTEGRATION AND ADVISED Airloft JERSKY NOT TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. INTERVIEWING AGENTS. INTERVIEVING AGEENTS Airlot JERKY 1 - Birmingham (AM) 14-76-1309 Teletype 1 - Kansas City (Am) A.M.T. - Kansas CITY (AM] SEARCHED A.A.N.S.D.I - Savannah (AM)" S.T .- St. Louis (AM)) SERIAL A. M.S .- D.I. - St. J.J. - J.P. FBI-KANSAS CITY. Speo. Do(6) Reg. Mail1 Reg. Registered 2022 RELEASE UNDERLO.O. 14176

The document details FBI investigative activities related to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray, John Hamilton Morris, and other individuals. On May 23, 1969, FBI agents interviewed Jerry Ray (brother of James Earl Ray) at Shelby County Jail in Memphis, Tennessee, following Ray’s return from prison for a new trial hearing. During the interview, agents reminded Ray of his prior public statements alleging involvement in a conspiracy to assassinate King and urged him to provide information if he had any. His attorney, J.B. Stone, cautioned against further discussion, asserting Ray would face trial for King’s murder. Agents noted Ray and Stone spoke with a local reporter after the interview but concluded no further contact was planned.  

On June 11, 1969, an FBI investigation referenced Fred Alexander Michelson, an inmate at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, who claimed to have knowledge about James Earl Ray’s involvement in the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Michelson stated he had written a book on these events but could not provide details due to incarceration. His records indicated a history of alcoholism and questionable mental health, leading agents to recommend against further contact.  

Additional sections mention FBI efforts to obtain consent from Morris R. McCarver in Idaho for hospital records and unrelated administrative communications. A memorandum references an article criticizing FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, noting the wiretap on Martin Luther King Jr. was approved by Robert F. Kennedy.  

On July 25, 1969, C.R. Crank, Superintendent of the Federal Detention Center in Florence, Arizona, provided a letter from John Hamilton Morris (inmate at Leavenworth Penitentiary) to Peter Goldman in New York City. Morris claimed he was paid by an individual known as "BIG D." The FBI sought information on Ray’s involvement, noting Morris had convictions for bank robbery (1949, 1969) and aircraft piracy (1969). Agents coordinated interviews with Morris in Kansas City, Memphis, and New York to verify his claims about payments to Ray.  

On September 4, 1969, the FBI initiated follow-up actions, including interviews with Morris and Goldman. Ongoing efforts from October–November 1969 aimed to track Morris and verify his allegations about Ray’s involvement. The documents also reference a book titled "I Slew a Dreamer" by William Bradford Hue, which allegedly connects James Earl Ray to the assassination plot. Bill Gordon Steinhoff, interviewed in Kansas, expressed fears of exposure due to the book and claimed prior contact with Ray in planning the murder. Legal proceedings involving Ray include his conviction for murder in Tennessee and appeals related to prison conditions.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., referenced as a target of FBI investigation.  
- **John Hamilton Morris (USP/3836)**: Inmate at Leavenworth Penitentiary and Florence Federal Detention Center, allegedly provided information about payments to Ray via "BIG D."  
- **J.B. Stone**: Attorney for James Earl Ray, advised Jerry Ray against speaking with investigators.  
- **Fred Alexander Michelson**: Inmate at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, claimed knowledge of Ray’s activities in JFK/RFK assassinations.  
- **Morris R. McCarver**: Individual sought for hospital records consent in Idaho.  
- **Peter Goldman**: Recipient of Morris’s letter, identified as a New York City resident.  
- **Clyde Stewart**: FBI agent at Leavenworth Penitentiary involved in interviews with Morris.  
- **Bill Gordon Steinhoff**: Interviewed in Kansas, claimed involvement with Ray in planning King’s assassination.  
- **William Bradford Hue**: Author of "I Slew a Dreamer," allegedly connected to Ray’s involvement in the plot.  

Key Locations  
- **Shelby County Jail, Memphis, Tennessee**  
- **Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, Kansas**  
- **Florence Federal Detention Center, Arizona**  
- **New York City**  
- **Kansas City, Missouri**  
- **Topeka State Hospital, Kansas** (records sought)  
- **Idaho Falls, Idaho** (McCarver’s residence)  

Key Events  
- **May 23, 1969**: FBI interview of Jerry Ray at Shelby County Jail in Memphis.  
- **June 11, 1969**: Investigation into Fred Michelson’s claims about James Earl Ray and JFK/RFK assassinations.  
- **July 25, 1969**: C.R. Crank provided letter from John Hamilton Morris to Peter Goldman detailing payments to Ray by "BIG D."  
- **September 4, 1969**: FBI initiated follow-up actions, including interviews with Morris and Goldman.  
- **October–November 1969**: Ongoing FBI efforts to track Morris and verify his claims about Ray’s involvement.  
- **Legal proceedings involving James Earl Ray**: Conviction for murder in Tennessee and appeals related to prison conditions.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into Ray, Morris, and related individuals; coordinated interviews across multiple locations.  
- **U.S. Penitentiary, Leavenworth**  
- **Federal Detention Center, Florence, Arizona**  
- **Topeka State Hospital, Kansas**  
- **U.S. Department of Corrections (Missouri State Penitentiary)**  
- **United States District Court for Los Angeles**

MLK Declassified Files

44-kc-760_404058_173-03-part_2_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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