</s>PD96 (Nov. 5-2-2441) FBI Date: 5/31/68 Transmit the following in AIRTEL (Type in plaintext or code) AIR MAIL Via: (Priority) TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (H4-38861) FROM: SAC, LOS ANGELES (44-1574) (P) RE: MURKIN 5/28/68 and 5/31-68. Re San Francisco teletype to Los Angeles, dated Re request to review Los Angeles County Health Department records subject. Re DONALD HAWKINS, Field Investigator, Los Angeles 220 Health Department of General Disease Control Program. Mr. DONALDHAWKS, Field Inspector, Los Angele County Health Department, Los Angeles, California, advised 5/29/68 220 North Broadway, Los Angles, California. California, advised 5/28-68 that the North Broadway was only one of the only available until 6/3/68. HAWKINS' office only only a SMART and authorized authorize search of records due to their confidential nature. LOS ANGELES AT LOS ANGELS, CALIFORNIA: WILL contact Dr. SMART, 6/31,68, to cause records to be searched for any record of treatment of subject under known name and aliases. SUBJECT ARMED AND DANGEROUS. 2 - Bureau San Francisco (173-65) - San Francisco (4-11-1987) - Memphis (-4-1987] RHR/s/le (6) SEARNED INVEDED SEMILATED FILED tot sent/f/sler 44-154-1536 Approved: L9900 Sokal Agent in Charge Sent M Per OFFICE COPY 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents consist of FBI teletypes, administrative records, and internal communications from May to June 1968, detailing investigations into James Earl Ray (JER) as a suspect in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The materials include updates on JER’s movements, postponed extradition hearings, and interactions with FBI agents. References are made to inquiries into correspondence clubs under Postal Inspector investigation, tracking individuals such as Edgar Bradley and Roger Eugene Bradley, and connections to Memphis, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento. Administrative directives address record-keeping, dissemination of case files, and redactions for sensitive information (e.g., SSNs). Additional materials from June 1968 focus on investigations into potential links between individuals and MLK-related activities, including failed attempts to contact Charles William Beal, phone call inquiries involving Mrs. George Marian, tracking James Paul Thorriton’s movements between California and Birmingham, interviews regarding Samuel Lewis and Samuil Burns, and photo records for James C. Hardin.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (JER): Suspect in MLK’s assassination; tracked by FBI agents with details on his movements, extradition hearing postponement, and alleged associations.  
- Edgar Bradley: Person of interest linked to JER; information provided about his whereabouts and legal status.  
- Roger Eugene Bradley: Referenced in context of potential connections to JER; noted for possible interactions during specific dates.  
- Charles William Beal: Retired Navy veteran, Parks and Recreation Department employee; subject of failed contact attempts.  
- Mrs. George Marian, Mrs. Samuel Karian: Individuals involved in phone call investigations.  
- James Paul Thorriton: Linked to extremist groups like the American Statutor Right Party and National States Rights Party; tracked for movements between California and Birmingham.  
- Jerry Bay: Interviewed regarding Samuel Lewis and Samuil Burns.  
- James C. Hardin (possibly Mardin): Subject of photo records and identifications across multiple cities.  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee: Referenced in teletypes and administrative directives.  
- Los Angeles, California: Central hub for FBI operations; mentioned as location for field offices, extradition hearings, correspondence club investigations, and health record searches.  
- San Francisco, California: Mentioned in context of FBI divisions and case file management.  
- Sacramento, California: Site of postponed extradition hearing for JER.  
- Bell Gardens, California: Address associated with Charles William Beal.  
- Birmingham, Alabama: Linked to James Paul Thorriton’s residence and extremist group connections.  
- Atlanta, Georgia: Mentioned in context of James Paul Thorriton’s past residence.  
- Pennsylvania (Whitemary Township): Location of Mrs. George Marian’s reported phone call inquiries.  
- Chicago, Illinois: Part of a teletype investigation involving Samuel Lewis and Samuil Burns.  
- Indianapolis, Indiana: Site of a Chicago-to-Indianapolis teletype investigation.  

Key Events  
- Tracking James Earl Ray’s movements and legal status (e.g., postponed extradition hearing).  
- FBI inquiries into correspondence clubs under Postal Inspector investigation, including lists of clubs and case numbers.  
- Coordination between FBI divisions (Los Angeles, Memphis, San Francisco) on case updates and record searches.  
- Redaction of sensitive information (e.g., SSNs) in administrative records.  
- Failed attempts to contact Charles William Beal and verify his employment status.  
- Investigation into phone calls from the West Coast to Mrs. Samuel Karian’s family.  
- Tracking James Paul Thorriton’s movements between California and Birmingham, with links to extremist groups.  
- Interviews regarding Samuel Lewis and Samuil Burns, with references to "armed and dangerous."  
- Photo records and identifications for James C. Hardin across multiple cities (Jackson, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Memphis).  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Central to all operations; coordinated investigations, managed case files, and issued directives.  
- U.S. Postal Inspector’s Office: Conducted correspondence club investigations referenced in FBI teletypes.  
- Los Angeles County Health Department: Involved in record searches for JER’s medical history.  
- Parks and Recreation Department (Los Angeles County): Employed Charles William Beal.  
- American Statutor Right Party: Extremist group linked to James Paul Thorriton.  
- National States Rights Party: Extremist group associated with James Paul Thorriton.

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_004-03-part_4_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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