</s>FD-280 (Rev. 8-28-58) DECODED COPY Radio Teletype. If the intelligence contained in the above message is to be disseminated outside the Bureau, it is suggested that it is suspected that it be sultably paraphased in order to protect the Bureau's cytoprophic systems, 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents consist of FBI internal memos, reports, and communications from the 1960s and early 1970s detailing investigations into James Earl Ray’s conviction for assassinating Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) in 1968. Key themes include Ray’s 1969 conviction, which was later overturned due to procedural errors, and FBI efforts to verify claims of conspiracies involving unconfirmed individuals like "PIERCE," "Eddie Wilburn," or "Lester Edward Packett." The documents reference speculative details such as a "rifle left in a furnace" or a "white Mustang" not used in the assassination, aligning with conspiracy theories. FBI investigations focused on tracking Ray’s movements, analyzing phone records (e.g., calls from Los Angeles to New Orleans), and cross-referencing criminal records across agencies like the IRS and Illinois Secretary of State. Unsubstantiated leads, such as searches for "Bob (LNU)" or "Pat Olson," were marked as discontinued. The FBI also coordinated with media outlets like the *Los Angeles Times* amid public speculation about MLK’s assassination.  

**Key People**  
- **James Earl Ray**: Convicted of MLK’s assassination in 1969; investigated for travel patterns and communications during December 1967.  
- **George Lettenger**: Arrested in San Diego on a grand larceny warrant; linked to a handwritten note referencing MLK’s assassination, though handwriting analysis ruled out his authorship.  
- **FBI Agents**: Including SA Leon J. Meyer, Robert F. Jacobs, and Joseph R. Conlon, who managed case files and coordinated investigations.  

**Key Locations**  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Central hub for FBI operations; phone records and interviews conducted here.  
- **San Antonio, Texas**: Involved in tracking long-distance calls related to Ray’s movements.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Mentioned as a destination during Ray’s alleged travel in December 1967.  

**Key Events**  
- **December 4–17, 1967**: FBI investigated Ray’s movements, including phone calls from Los Angeles to New Orleans.  
- **June 1968**: Handwriting analysis of a note found in San Diego linked to MLK’s assassination was conducted by the FBI Laboratory.  
- **Coordination of Case Files**: Memos and teletypes documented efforts to cross-reference criminal, subversive, and financial records across FBI divisions.  

**Key Organizations**  
- **FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)**: Conducted primary investigations, coordinated inter-office communication, and managed case files.  
- **Bank of Hollywood**: Mentioned in a separate inquiry about cash withdrawals linked to Vera Mae Cornelius, though unrelated to MLK’s assassination.

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_004-05-part_2_of_5.pdf

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