</s>FD-36 (Rev. 5-22-64) FBI Date: 4/30/68 Transmit the following in Type in planter's or code) AIRTEL (Type in plantex) or code] Via REGISTERED AIRMAIL (Priority) Via AIRTEE REGISTERID AIRMAILL TO : SAC, IOS ANGELES FROM : SAG, PHILADELPHIA (44-1368) : SACH, PHIADELPHA (44+1368] SUBJECT: MURKIN Enclosed herewith is a four-page handwritten/ communication purposefully written by one WILLIAM JERVAIS CROSBY Room 132, Astor Hotel, 208 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, Calif. This handwritten letter was received as a Los Angeles, California, this handwritten letter received SCHUSTER, Regional Inspector, Internal Revenue Service, Mid-Atlantic Region, Philadelphia, PA, who indicated in his letter that the letter received at the Internal Revenue Office in Philadelphia was received at this Internal CROSby, in this letter, in a rambling and somewhat incoherently CROSBY, makes some reference to the murder of MARTIN LUTHER KING. The Los Angeles Office is requested to locate and Interview WILLIAMS JERVALS GROSBY. Room 132. Astor hotel, Los Angeles. Calif. relative to his comments in the enclosed letter and any information he might have which would be helpful in the investigation of the MURKEN case. 14-15-79-1009 SEARCHED INCREDED IN - Los Angeles (Bnc. (1) AMRIM) SEARCHADED INGREDED - Philadelphia (44.1368)" FRED J10-mmmm (3) SEARCHAL MAY 2 1966 B.W.LUS ANGELES (3). B.MAY 2 1966 Approved: Sedual Alert in Charge Sent M Per 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains FBI records detailing investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and related inquiries. Key elements include a handwritten letter from William Jervais Crosby referencing MLK’s murder and his stay at the Astor Hotel in Los Angeles, prompting an FBI interview to gather information about the "MURKIN" case. The FBI also examined potential look-alikes of James Earl Ray, the alleged assassin, including Donald Haischner (a Bendix Corporation representative) who traveled on an American Airlines flight and was ruled out as a match. Saul John in Turlock, California, was interviewed regarding a car linked to Conga Park but found unconnected to MLK’s assassination. The FBI tracked travel routes, telephonic communications, and vehicle movements involving Richard L. Ogg and Peter Holden, noting no direct ties to the case. Additional records reference Charles Joseph Stein and Rita Stein’s accounts of interactions with James Earl Ray (alias Eric Galt), including phone calls from New Orleans and meetings at the Sultan Room bar in Hollywood. The FBI sought to retrace Galt’s movements to locate a phone booth used for a call, while also investigating his correspondence with a Swinger Club and an advertisement in the Los Angeles Free Press. Alma Lomax expressed safety concerns post-assassination, and Harold J. Thome was flagged as a potential threat due to mental health issues and past incidents.  

Key People  
- William Jervais Crosby (Astor Hotel, Los Angeles; referenced MLK’s murder)  
- James Earl Ray (alleged assassin of MLK; alias Eric Galt)  
- Donald Haischer (Bendix Corporation representative; investigated as a look-alike)  
- Saul John (Turlock, California; car linked to Conga Park)  
- Richard L. Ogg (truck transporter; vehicle movements tracked)  
- Peter Holden (involved in vehicle transport)  
- Charles Joseph Stein (interviewed regarding interactions with Eric Galt/James Earl Ray)  
- Rita Stein (sister of Charles Stein; provided details about her brother’s meetings with Galt)  
- Alma Lomax (complainant expressing concerns about MLK’s assassination)  
- Harold J. Thome (flagged as a potential threat due to mental health issues and past incidents)  

Key Locations  
- Los Angeles, California (Astor Hotel, St. Francis Hotel, Conga Park, Sultan Room bar)  
- New Orleans, Louisiana (site of Galt’s alleged activities)  
- Hollywood, California (Sultan Room bar)  
- Turlock, California (Saul John’s residence)  
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  
- Dallas, Texas  
- Washington D.C. (FBI headquarters)  
- Tijuana, California (dune buggy incident involving Thome)  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into MLK’s assassination and potential suspects  
- Interview of William Jervais Crosby regarding MLK’s murder  
- Examination of Donald Haischner’s flight itinerary and appearance  
- Investigation into Saul John’s car ownership and location ties  
- Tracking of Richard L. Ogg and Peter Holden’s vehicle movements  
- Review of telephonic communications and travel routes  
- Stein’s interviews detailing Galt’s phone calls and movements to New Orleans  
- Rita Stein’s account of her brother’s trip to New Orleans and interactions with Galt  
- FBI efforts to retrace Galt’s travel route to locate the phone booth used for a call  
- Galt’s correspondence with a Swinger Club in Downey, California  
- Investigation into Galt’s advertisement in the Los Angeles Free Press  
- Alma Lomax’s concerns about her safety related to MLK’s assassination  
- Harold J. Thome’s flagged status as a potential threat due to mental health and past incidents  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)  
- Bendix Corporation (Haischner’s employer)  
- Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)  
- U.S. Postal Inspectors  
- Secret Service (investigated Thome’s correspondence)

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_003-04-part_1_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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