</s>OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10 MAY (18) EDITION. 17 $10-100 MAY 18) EDITION, 17 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum UNITED STATESTATES GOVERNMENT To : SAC, LOS ANGELES (LLI-1574) DATE: 1/10/68 FROM : SA LEROY W. SHEETS SUBJECT: MURKIN Re: ERIC STARD GALT SUBJECT: : SA LAROY W . SHEETS ASAC CLARK BROWN, San Diego FBI Office called and stated that through their check with the Bank of America and one of the through the check that the SA PHIL DELLY had inquired of their office concerning GALT. ASAC BROWN wanted this checked out with DLLY and to let him know. SA DELILY advised that he had checked with the bank of America on a SALMON PATERSON with numerous aliases and had on a salMON PATRERSON with the B of A regarding this matter. This is the case of the Cold of a regarding discussed with anyone at this bank. ASAC BRON was telephoneally advised of this information. Indices of LA negative re (ALT. 44.1574. 3/4 SEARCHED INDEXED 3/A SERIALIZED FILED SERIALISED APRIG 1968 H-10-ANGELES/ 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations in 1968 focused on individuals linked to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK), including Eric Stario Galt, a suspect whose records were checked across multiple states. The Bureau examined laundry machines used to produce tags found on clothing associated with Galt, specifically serial number 32523 from a Los Angeles laundry business. Vernon Wall, a former manager of the same laundry operation, was investigated for potential ties to the case, including possession of pliers purchased from Romage Hardware in Los Angeles. The FBI sought information from Romage Hardware employees and other businesses to identify individuals who may have sold or handled the pliers. Additional efforts included checking insurance records, driver’s license databases, and contacting informants about suspect sightings.  

Separate investigations referenced a case labeled "MURKIN," which involved pliers linked to Romage Hardware Store in Los Angeles, sold between October 1965 and October 1966. Former employees of the store, including Garrett Doyle, A.K. Watson, and Louis V. Turner, were contacted but could not recall specific sales. The case also referenced a suspect described as a white male aged 26–30 with dark hair and a "silly smirk."  

Another investigation involved Ralph Patrick Hunt, who made threatening calls to FBI agents in 1963 and 1968, accusing the Bureau of complicity in MLK’s murder. Hunt had a history of arrests for drunk driving (1955) and disorderly conduct (1995). His father confirmed his residence in Vernon, California, in 1968, describing him as a chronic drunk. Later records from 1971 noted Hunt’s alleged IRA sympathies and an address in Los Angeles. Unrelated inquiries included TEL-STAR luggage sales, military disciplinary actions, and administrative case filings under E.O. 14176.  

Key People  
- **Eric Stario Galt**: Suspect in MLK’s assassination; FBI checked his records across multiple states.  
- **Vernon Wall**: Former manager of a Los Angeles laundry business under investigation for potential involvement.  
- **SA Leroy W. Sheets, SA Clark Brown, SA James Joseph Farrell, and others**: FBI agents involved in the investigation.  
- **Harvey Lommeier**: Searched but not found; variations of his name yielded no results.  
- **Billy Saint**: Suspected mechanic at Precision Motors.  
- **Ralph Patrick Hunt**: Made threatening calls to FBI agents in 1963 and 1968, accused of IRA sympathies.  
- **Garrett Doyle, A.K. Watson, Louis V. Turner**: Former Romage Hardware employees contacted for information on pliers sales.  
- **Joseph Pechter, William Harvey, Captain W.B. Byrns**: Individuals linked to TEL-STAR inquiries or Hunt’s background.  

Key Locations  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Central to laundry machine investigations, Romage Hardware Store, and FBI offices.  
- **Romage Hardware (Los Angeles)**: Source of pliers linked to the assassination scene.  
- **Gardena, Vernon, Glendale, Burbank, Barstow, San Bernardino County, California**: Locations where individuals were contacted for information.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Hunt’s birthplace.  
- **Kansas City, Missouri**: United Products sales records.  

Key Events  
- Investigation into laundry machines used to produce tags found on suspect clothing, focusing on serial number 32523.  
- Examination of Vernon Wall’s connection to the laundry business and pliers procurement from Romage Hardware.  
- Checks of insurance records, driver’s license databases, and informants for Eric Galt.  
- Search for Harvey Lommeier across police departments in Glendale and Burbank, with no results.  
- Investigation into the "MURKIN" case involving Romage Hardware pliers sold between 1965–1966.  
- Verification of employment records for individuals linked to hardware stores and laundries.  
- Threatening calls from Ralph Patrick Hunt to FBI agents in 1963 and 1968, with no direct link to MLK’s assassination.  
- Military disciplinary actions involving soldiers at Fort Ord, California, and other locations.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)**: Conducted primary investigations, including liaison with SAC offices in Los Angeles, Memphis, and Cleveland.  
- **Romage Hardware Store**: Source of pliers linked to the assassination scene.  
- **Glendale Police Department, Burbank Police Department**: Contacted for information on suspects.  
- **Precision Motors (Beverly Hills), Volkswagen Pacific Distributors, Home Service Laundry and Dry Cleaning**: Businesses referenced in investigations.  
- **United Products Corporation**: Linked to TEL-STAR luggage sales inquiries.  
- **Gardendale Police Department**: Provided records on Ralph Patrick Hunt’s arrests.  
- **U.S. Government**: Administrative case filings under E.O. 14176.

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_001-01-part_4_of_6.pdf

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