</s>X AIRTEL 6/27/77 TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) FROM: SAC, LOUISVILLE (44)-947) (P) SUBJECT: MURKIN Re Knowville airtels to Louisville dated 6/16/77 and 6/21/77. For information of Bureau and Memphis, referenced communications reflect that on 6/15/77, SANDY WEBB, Assignment to which R.C. Knoville, Tennessean, Tennessee, and addressed to "WTF", DAVID R. ELVINDRIN, Channel 6, NBC, Knowville, constraints of which W.C ., Knoxville, Tennessee, and Nashville, Arkansas, addressed On June 13, 1977, Said letter to postmarked "Marines sliding 426311" Tennessee, Tennessee and Louisville Indians according ELVNDRIN negative. Following is verbatim transcript of above described letter which was unsigned: "Dear Sir: "Just a few lines to say I am sorry but Mr Ray did not not Dr. King, I was down at Knoxville and overheard a Rubin (Chanin) say he did kill Dr. Kings. hope King was kill so he could kill anyone the truth. He want to believe you back to Ruble and get away from hair so. He was to believe that did kill anyone and you all to heart and see. I am a black man and hope you leason (listen) to the fact. So long think you very much ... 44-6946-496 Bureau 2 - Memphis 2 - Louisville SERIALIZED JUN-9-1877 (7) FOT-KNOWVILLE 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains FBI records and communications related to investigations into the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). An anonymous letter dated June 13, 1977, was sent to media outlets in Tennessee and Kentucky, alleging that "Rubin (Chanin)" claimed responsibility for MLK's death. The FBI traced the letter to Marshes Siding, Kentucky, but found no Black families or individuals matching the sender’s description, leading to the termination of the investigation. A separate reference notes Gene R. Barnes’ letter accusing James Earl Ray—a known suspect in MLK’s assassination—of involvement in a 1963 Memphis killing. The FBI noted Barnes had prior investigations in Newark and Virginia but found no credible links to James Bradley mentioned in his correspondence. Records also detail James Earl Ray’s criminal history, including arrests for burglary, forgery, and a 1968 murder charge in Memphis. A film titled "Young Man's Boone" and statements from producer Gullager about its portrayal of MLK’s assassination are referenced, though the connection to the investigation remains unclear.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (suspect in MLK’s assassination; charged with a 1968 murder in Memphis)  
- Gene R. Barnes (individual who sent a letter alleging Ray’s involvement in a 1963 killing)  
- Rubin (Chanin) (name mentioned in the anonymous letter)  
- Gullager (film producer discussing MLK-related content)  
- Mark Lane (attorney associated with legal challenges to Ray’s conviction)  
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (victim of the assassination)  

Key Locations  
- Marshes Siding, Kentucky (investigation site for the anonymous letter)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (1968 murder charge against James Earl Ray; 1963 killing referenced in Barnes’ letter)  
- Knoxville, Tennessee (media outlets receiving the anonymous letter)  
- Newark, New Jersey (location of Barnes’ prior investigations)  
- Brushy Mountain Penitentiary (Ray’s incarceration at the time of MLK’s assassination)  

Key Events  
- June 13, 1977: Anonymous letter alleging Rubin (Chanin) killed MLK sent to media outlets in Tennessee and Kentucky.  
- FBI investigation into Marshes Siding, Kentucky, yielding no leads.  
- Gene R. Barnes’ letter referencing James Earl Ray’s alleged involvement in a 1963 Memphis killing.  
- Mention of James Earl Ray’s criminal history, including burglary, forgery, and a 1968 murder charge.  
- References to legal motions for new trials, FBI investigations, and discussions about evidence tapes.  
- Allusions to declassified documents under E.O. 14176 and potential government conspiracies involving unnamed individuals.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Memphis Police Department (involved in 1968 murder case)  
- United States Parole Commission (mentioned in context of Ray’s incarceration)  
- House of Representatives (referenced in discussions about inquiries)  
- Department of Justice (implied in legal proceedings and declassified documents)

MLK Declassified Files

44-kx-696_742347_02-02-part_3_of_3.pdf

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