</s>- - PO-245 (REV. 4.13-460) U. S. Department of Justice (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILE) CALLED FOR THIS FILE 10024535 DO NOT DESTROY: HISTORICAL VALUE, NATIONAL ARCHIVES CLOSED FIES CONTROL NUMBER LOS ANGELES DIVISION 0000000000-99088 HISTOPICAL VALVE, VOL.3 VOL.3 EDERAL BUREAU DO NOT DESTROY of RISTOPAL VALUE NATIONALARCHIVES INVESTIGATION Ser. 375-5-512 Bureau File Number 44-3/4/64/ Volume Number: Bureau Files Number 44/4-64/// ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICIAL RESLAVE FOR SELECT FOR HISTORYICAL DECLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE UN ASSASSINATIONS See also Nos. DO NOT DETROY. #4 PENDING ATTIGATION 104/115 ALL INFORMATION CONTENTED HERE: 1/4 to 1/10/31/SPL/2/2N/N/de/de Roe (12-10-69) DATE: 1-10/1/3/31-SPL-2/1-5/2-4/6) Roto 1 2025 RELEASE UNDER E..O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into physical evidence recovered at the scene of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. Key items included Bushnell binoculars (serial number SND/40864) and duck-billed pliers linked to the crime scene. The FBI traced the binoculars to D.P. Bushnell and Company in Pasadena, California, which confirmed an order for six pairs of Banner binoculars placed on October 20, 1967, with shipment on October 30, 1967. Duck-billed pliers were identified as originating from Romage Hardware Company in Los Angeles, part of a bargain bin inventory between October 1960 and mid-1966. Eric Galt (also known as John Willard, Harvey Loweryer) was monitored by the FBI for his movements, financial transactions, and associations with Charles J. Stein, Rita Stein, and Marie Martin during November 1967–January 1968. Interviews with Romage Hardware employees and customers were conducted to trace the pliers' origin. A separate investigation focused on laundry marks found on clothing abandoned near the assassination site, linking the Thermo Seal marking machine used by Home Service Laundry and Dry Cleaning (5280 Hollywood Boulevard) and its serial number (No. 3154).  

Key People  
- **Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.**: Victim of the assassination in Memphis on April 4, 1968.  
- **Eric Galt** (also known as John Willard, Harvey Loweryer): Suspect linked to the investigation; resided in Los Angeles and Memphis.  
- **Charles J. Stein**, **Rita Stein**, **Marie Martin**: Individuals associated with Galt; interviewed by FBI.  
- **D.P. Bushnell and Company** (Pasadena, California): Supplier of binoculars found at the assassination scene.  
- **Romage Hardware Company** (Los Angeles, California): Retailer of duck-billed pliers linked to the crime scene.  
- **Lucy Pinelia**: Manager of Home Service Laundry and Dry Cleaning; provided details about Thermo Seal marking machine and tape numbers.  
- **Jerry Vernon** (J. Vernon): Former employee at Home Service Laundry and Dry Cleaning, associated with GALT’s laundry transactions.  
- **GALT**: Regular customer at Home Service Laundry and Dry Cleaning described as male, white, approximately 35–40 years old, with a light brown crew cut and fair complexion.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of Dr. King's assassination.  
- **Pasadena, California**: Location of D.P. Bushnell and Company, supplier of binoculars.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Residences and businesses associated with Eric Galt (e.g., 1535 North Serrano Avenue, Romage Hardware); Home Service Laundry and Dry Cleaning (5280 Hollywood Boulevard).  
- **St. Francis Hotel** (Hollywood, California): Residence of Galt from January 21 to March 1, 1968.  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis; items recovered at the scene included binoculars and pliers.  
- **October 20–30, 1967**: Order for six pairs of Banner binoculars placed with D.P. Bushnell and Company.  
- **April 5–8, 1968**: FBI interviews with Romage Hardware employees to trace the origin of duck-billed pliers found at the crime scene.  
- **November 1967–January 1968**: Monitoring of Eric Galt’s movements and associations in Los Angeles.  
- Investigation into laundry marks found on clothing abandoned near Dr. King’s assassination site, tracing the Thermo Seal marking machine used by Home Service Laundry and Dry Cleaning (5280 Hollywood Boulevard) and its serial number (No. 3154).  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into items linked to the assassination and tracked Eric Galt’s activities.  
- **D.P. Bushnell and Company**: Supplier of binoculars recovered at the crime scene.  
- **Romage Hardware Company**: Retailer of duck-billed pliers associated with the assassination site.  
- **Home Service Laundry and Dry Cleaning**: Laundromat associated with the Thermo Seal machine and tape numbering system.  
- **Textile Marking Machine Company** (Syracuse, New York): Manufacturer of Thermo Seal marking equipment used in the laundry investigation.

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_002-03-part_1_of_5.pdf

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