</s>8/26/68 PEAIN TELETYPE URGENT TO: -SAC, NEW ORLEANS FROM: SAG, LOS ANGELES (56-156) SUBJECT: KENSAMIT INFO RECEIVED TODAY FROM ECONO-CAR RENTALS, LOSS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, THAT PERNELL EZZZAL CALLED THEM TODAY RE OVERDUE NINETEEN SIXTEENTHENT PONTIAC AND EZZELL RECEIVERED INSTRUCTIONS TO TURN PONTAC IN AT THEIR AGENCY, RAMADA INN, TWO HUNDRED TWENTY MARKET STREET, SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA. EZZEL HAS STATED HE HAD GREAT AMOUNT OF MONEY OBTAINED AS RESULT OF HIS PART IN KENSASELL AND MURKIN ASSASSINATIONS. BUREAU HAS REQUESTED EZSELL BE INTERVIEWED RE ABOVE CASES. EZZELL DESCRIBED WHITE, MALE, BORN FAVETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, FIVE FOOT TEN INCHES, ONE HUNDRDED BIGHTFIVE POUNDS, SANDY HAIR, BLUE EYES, HOPELESS ALCOHOLIC AND BECOMES AFFECTED MENTALLY WHEN DRINKING. 56-158 VEJ/p1/2 (2) 44-1574-1787 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents contain law enforcement records and investigative notes from August 1968 and April–May 1968 related to FBI inquiries into potential connections between individuals and events surrounding Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination (referred to as "MURKIN" or "KENSAMIT"). On August 26, 1968, the FBI sought information on Pernell Ezzell, a white male from Fayetteville, NC, described as having alcohol-related mental instability and alleged ties to "KENSAMIT" (likely referring to MLK's assassination) and "MURKIN" (possibly JFK's assassination). The FBI requested details through Econo-Car Rentals in Shreveport, LA, where Ezzell allegedly returned a Pontiac car.  

On August 19, 1968, the FBI documented William J. Wilson’s account of Buddy Jensen’s remarks at a National Automobile Dealers Association conference in Miami Beach, FL, where Jensen allegedly commented on JFK not living to become president if nominated. Jensen was described as an "ultra conservative" with no known violent ties. FD-302 forms from August 12, 1968, detailed interviews with Frank Goodpasture and Robert Callahan in Nashville, TN, who reported Jensen’s alleged remarks about MLK and JFK during a meeting.  

Other entries include James Earl Ray’s extradition from London to Memphis, Tennessee; arrests of Jay Wallis (linked to traffic violations) and Jerome Wallis (CII records with multiple charges); and administrative FBI case files referencing "KENSALT" and "BUFFALO" cases. A separate set of documents includes a Pasadena Police Department booking form listing James Richard Hendricks with multiple arrests between 1960–1967, including burglary charges. An FBI record references Hendricks’ fingerprints and prior arrests. In Ventura, California, a citizen reported seeing a man resembling an artist’s sketch of MLK’s assassin on April 11, 1968, described as white, male, aged 35–40, with a prominent upturned nose, sandy hair, tan slacks, and dark knit shorts. The suspect was observed driving a 1955 Mercury in dark green. Additional witnesses, including Vernon Burdick and Irving Durford, corroborated the vehicle and individual description. Photographs of suspects (Jay Wallis Vernick, Victor Gerald Bono, Harold Otto Montoya) were shown to witnesses for identification, though no matches were confirmed. A Beverly Hilton Hotel record mentions George Shaw’s 1968 stay, including his driver’s license details and insurance information, which was compared to James Earl Ray’s fingerprints. The documents also include a note about an address provided by Richard L. O’Connor related to the investigation.  

Key People:  
- **Pernell Ezzell**: Alleged connection to "KENSAMIT" (MLK assassination) and "MURKIN" (JFK assassination), firearm possession, described as white male from Fayetteville, NC, with alcohol-related mental instability.  
- **Buddy Jensen**: "Ultra conservative" individual who allegedly made remarks about JFK and MLK at a National Automobile Dealers Association conference in Miami Beach, FL.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Extradited from London to Memphis, Tennessee; known suspect in MLK’s assassination.  
- **Frank Goodpasture**: Nashville, TN; mentioned in FD-302 interviews regarding Jensen’s alleged comments on MLK and JFK.  
- **Robert Callahan**: Bristol, TN; reported Jensen’s comments on MLK and JFK during a meeting.  
- **James Richard Hendricks**: Listed with multiple arrests in Pasadena, CA (1960–1967), including burglary charges.  
- **Theodore Lindsay**: Ventura, CA resident who reported seeing a suspect resembling MLK’s assassin.  
- **Vernon Burdick**: Witness at Durham Shell Station who described the suspect’s appearance and vehicle.  
- **Irving Durford**: Owner of Durham Shell Station; corroborated witness accounts.  
- **George Shaw**: Beverly Hilton Hotel guest linked to MLK assassination investigation via fingerprint comparison with James Earl Ray.  
- **Richard L. O’Connor**: Provided an address related to the investigation.  

Key Locations:  
- **Shreveport, Louisiana**: Econo-Car Rentals where Pernell Ezzell allegedly returned a Pontiac car.  
- **Nashville, Tennessee**: Site of National Automobile Dealers Association conference and FD-302 interviews.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: James Earl Ray’s extradition from London to Memphis.  
- **Pasadena, California**: Site of James Richard Hendricks’ arrests and booking records.  
- **Ventura, California**: Location of witness reports and Durham Shell Station observations.  
- **Beverly Hills, California**: Beverly Hilton Hotel where George Shaw was a guest.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Mentioned in FBI records and hotel security logs.  

Key Events:  
- **August 26, 1968**: FBI investigation into Pernell Ezzell’s potential ties to "KENSAMIT" (MLK assassination) and "MURKIN" (JFK assassination).  
- **August 19, 1968**: FBI documented William J. Wilson’s account of Buddy Jensen’s remarks at a National Automobile Dealers Association conference in Miami Beach, FL.  
- **August 12, 1968**: FD-302 interviews with Frank Goodpasture and Robert Callahan detailing Jensen’s alleged comments on MLK and JFK.  
- **April 11, 1968**: Witness reported seeing a suspect resembling MLK’s assassin at Durham Shell Station in Ventura, CA.  
- **April 13–14, 1968**: Photographs of suspects (Jay Wallis Vernick, Victor Gerald Bono, Harold Otto Montoya) were shown to witnesses for identification.  
- **April 26–29, 1968**: FBI agents compared George Shaw’s fingerprints with James Earl Ray’s and reviewed his hotel records.  
- **May 1, 1968**: William P. Gardner received an address from the American Civil War Society related to the investigation.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into "KENSAMIT," "MURKIN," and other cases; maintained fingerprint records and contributed to suspect identification.  
- **Pasadena Police Department**: Handled James Richard Hendricks’ arrests and booking records.  
- **Ventura Sheriff’s Office**: Involved in photographing suspects for witness comparison.  
- **Beverly Hilton Hotel Security**: Monitored George Shaw’s stay and vehicle details.  
- **California Department of Justice, Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (CII)**: Maintained records on Jerome Wallis and other individuals.

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_004-05-part_5_of_5.pdf

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